LITTLE ROCK — 100 YEARS AGO Jan. 23, 1913

The question as to whether a woman may be appointed legally and perform the duties of a notary public will be threshed out today in the Second Division of the Circuit Court on a petition for mandamus to require Secretary of State Earle W. Hodges to issue a commission to Mrs. Mary Grey of Little Rock as a notary public. Mrs. Grey is a stenographer in the office of Rose, Hemmingway, Cantrell & Loughborough, one of the leading firms of Arkansas, and her appointment was asked by the firm. Gov. Joe T. Robinson authorized the issuance of the commission, which Secretary of State Hodges refused to recognize after consulting Attorney General W. L. Moose.

50 YEARS AGO Jan. 23, 1963

A bill was readied for introduction in the House of Representatives today that would require a special division of the state police to investigate and prosecute “continuing gambling law violations” in Arkansas. Rep. N. B. (Nap) Murphy of Ashley County, author of the bill, said he was against gambling. The bill, he said, is notaimed at Hot Springs, where gambling law violations are known to exist, or any other particular locale, but at illegal gambling “wherever it may exist.” 25 YEARS AGO Jan. 23, 1988 PINE BLUFF - The state Board of Higher Education on Friday “sent a message” to the state Legislature that raising student tuition is not the way to fund higher education. Meeting at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the board voted 9-1 to delete any reference to tuition increases from its guidelines for appropriations requests. It promoted increased state support as an alternative.

10 YEARS AGO Jan. 23, 2003

An abstract painting by a Little Rock firefighter is the first piece of art commissioned by the city’s Arts and Culture Commission. The untitled painting, a brownhued work meant to depict Little Rock’s topography, was shown to city leaders Tuesday night. The work, painted by 33-year-old firefighter Jason Gammel, will go on display in City Hall and on the city’s Web site, said Scott Carter, the city’s cultural affairs administrator.

Arkansas, Pages 13 on 01/23/2013