The Carlisle independent., 1920-10-21
STATE CAPITAL NEVIS

Little Rock, Oct 1S.-Thus far no special opposition has developed any where against the proposed amend ments to the constitution, to be voted on at the November election. These amendments provide for woman suf- frage, an increase in the personnel of the Supreme Court and improve ments in the Initiative and Referen- dunn. Not only is there no organized or apparent opposition, but all ele- ments seem to be favorable to their adoption Former differences, par ticularly with reference to the Su- preme Court amendment, have been reconciled and the supporters of the l Initiative and Referendum amend the Supreme Court proposition. It is recognized by all that relief is need ed to insure the speedy and deliberate dispatch of litigation coming before the highest tribunal of the state. It is also recognized by the legal fra | ternity that the proposed changes in the Initiative and Referendum will be desirable and will result in a more Democratic agency for direct legis- ation.
 Colonel McRae, the Democratic nominee for governor, Governor Brough, the members of Congress and other prominent leaders have en- dorsed the propositions, and their support will have great weight with the voters on November 10. Cover nor Brough declares that his interest in the passage of the Supreme Court amendment is purely for the welfare of the state, as the Supreme Court justices should be given relief and should be paid salaries commensurate with the grave responsibility of their offices. It is pointed out that several states have within the last twenty years increased the membership of their courts and that the administra- tion of justice has been greatly strengthened thereby
 Judge Joseph M. Hill of Fort Smith former Chief Justice has issued an address to the people of Arkansas as follows:
 "There is pending for considera- tion Amendment No. 15 to the Con stitution, authorizing the Legisla- ture to increase the number of Judges of the Supreme Court from five to seven and increasing their salaries subject to future action by the Legis- lature.
 q have in the past opposed an amendment which looked to dividing the court into divisions without prop CT coordination between the divisions because such condition has a tenden- cy to bring regretable confusion and uncertainty in the law, but there is nothing in this proposed Amendment which calls for this objectionable fea- ture.
 "The Amendment authorizes divi- sions to be created under such regu- lations as the Legislature may de- 1 termine.
 Happily for the state the Su- preme Court is right up with it's docket, but this condition is due to the intense work of the Judges. This progress cannot be maintained with ;, due regard to their health and the proper consideration of cases, even with the present volume of business. The growth and development of the State is causing a number of cases to steadily increase.
 "Now an opportunity is afforded 1 tion which once existed in the Su- preme Court, when cases were on the docket for two or three years be- fore they were reached. It is the part of wisdom to prevent this and make timely provision against it.
 "This Amendment clothes the Leg islature with power to legislate in this respect when the occasion re- quires it, and the people should not miss this opportunity to confer their power"
 Statistics in the office of the Blu reau of Labor compiled from 654 in- dividua industries, show a total of 10072 white men employed, 609S ne gro men, 146S white women, 209 ne- gro women and 152 children under 1 Is years of age. Last year the re- ports show there was 1,415 wage earners who were injured, of which IS were fatal. This was in total of 17,771 employed. An aggregate of 17,669 days was lost because of injuries sustained by workers. From April l, 1919 to September 30, 1920 there was a total of 1863 permits is- sued to boys and girls under 16 years of age, to work in industrial plants This is compared with total of 694 for the two years proceeding. The Commissioner of Labor has been making an effort to secure complete data from the plants and industrial concerns, but finds that many ignore his requests, although the law pro vides that penalty shall be assessed against those who fail to report.
 As a result of the census just an nounced there will be several changes in the distribution of representatives in the General Assembly. Some of the counties have made considerable gain and will be entitled to more rep resentatives than they now have When this is done, other counties must necessarily lose, as the law pro- vides that the Lower House shall con- sist of,only 100 members. This means that there are 25 extra representa-