The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1920-02-18
LITTLE CONSTRUCTIVE
LEGISLATION ENACTED
Report Of Budget Commission
Twice Deferred-SenatOr
Burton Balks.

but trite more than four weeks
remainingpf the 1920 session OF the
Kentucky Legislature little construc-
tive legislation has been enacted
The report of the Budget Commits
sion, of which Governor Morrow is
ex-officio Chairman, has been twice
deferred. This commission, COM
posed of department heads, has the
business df making estimates for
the next two years, under which all
appropriations are to be divided.
Ways and means of obtaining reve-
nue. provide live problem for the
administration.
When the Bluegrass Senators
took a principal part in calling for
showdown on coal and other
mineral products, including rock
asphalt, as to whether or not they
are paying their share of the taxes,
the mountain Republicans promptly
retailiated by including tobacco in
the inquiry. This attempt to tax
tobacco was fought valiantly by
Senators from the tobacco growing
section, but the Republicans were
strong enough to put the resolution
over. 1t seems probable that there
will be deadlock between the two
commodities, with the majority of
the Republicans defending coal, and
the majority of the Democrats rush
ing to cover tobacco from the i'm
position of tax which would add
to the farmers woes
Alertness of the Senate Democrats
to needs of the agricultural section
has been marked on more than one
occasion. At one time having a ma
jority in the upper branch, they were
shorn of power when the Brock rules
were put upon them by the defec.
ton Of Senator G. w. Burton, who
represents five strong Democratic
counties, Grant, Pendleton, Gallatin,
Owen and Boone-all of which gave
majOrities to Governor Black, and
which district is normally 5000
Democratic. These rules place the
real responsibility for legislation on
the Republicans. The best the
Democrats can do is to watch and
fight all inimical legislation.
Senator Glenn S. Mum, Crittenden
county, called >the Republicans
roundly to rask for campaign Of
calumny, Rising to a point of per-
sonal privilege Monday. afternoon,
he showed where the Kentucky Re-
publican, q weekly paper published
by the administration at the Capi-
tol, had by implication" attacked
Senator (then Governor) Stanley
and Governor Black, ON the word
of convicted felons, one of whom,
Joseph Vending, was in the re-
formatory at Frankfort for the MUIR
der of little Alma Kellner, one of
the worst crimes ever committed in
Judge Num- bitterly denounced
the tactics of the Republicans and
their publication of attacks on Presi-
dent Wilson, the League of Nations,
and other propaganda of an often
sive nature. He said that the "ef-
fiucia from the smelling commit
tees" alleged to be investigating the
prisons was sickening to all fair
minded persons.
Senator Brock in reply could do
but throw a few bouquets
ut the press, especially the noun
tain papers, which he said were al
ways Dragging on the Republicans.
lie disavowed the publication in the
Republican, saying he new .
DR. had seen the sheet until his AZ.
tention was called to it by Senator
Num-, and said he never had heard
of Sol T. Steele, its editor.
Republicans seem to be hugging
'alse hopes to their bosoms in the
,laim that they are certain to con-
rol the next State Senate. Analy-
lis OF the nineteen districts which
iold elections show that in only five
S the result at all close. These are
he Christian-Hopkins, Daviess-Mc-
4ean. and two Jefferson County dts
ricts, and the district ably repre-
enrud by DR., ]. d. Whitaker, Can
lel City.
With reference to the last-namod
may be said that there is small
Ioubt that II will return a Democrat.
While Breathitt county occasionally
'oes Republican, it does not stray
way often. and is usually 400 to
100 Democratic. Lee County. 1t is
rue, is often Republican. and Ma
go c-~-.,,' ~,-1ya,,,.- '~e"a,s -