The Arkansas advocate., 1832-04-25
THE TEEN SECTIONS.
TO THE EDITOR.

on by the Arkansas Gazette" for the last five months, could be of little inter- est to the public, had not designed to give the Ten Sections a passing no- tice; feeling assured as | tli d, with ny others, that the scurrility and abuse so frequently layished in the columns of that print on the Legislature, had point cd out to every nnprejadieed mind their true cause--"the gat of disappointed editor," and that William E. Woodrufl's q editorial volitlons carried with them their own comment and rciutation.-I The charges of ssMr. Tretler. editor of the Kentucky Gazette" depict lng in the most false and glowing eolors the moral character of Arkansas, might have passed likewise, and with the many other editorial calumnies against Arkansas, have descended to the "tomb ofthe Capulets," had itnot been that Governor Pope, in his reply to Mir. Crlttendcn, under date the 9th uH., reiterates the charges of Mir. Tfot- ter, against the majority of the I4egisla- ture, and seems to construe the silence of the gentlemen who composed that majority and their friends, into tacit acknowledgment of theirtruth, inwhich he appears to triumph. An admission of this kind, or the standing mute of those gentlemen, is no doubt what the Governor wishes-it would be pleasing to his vanity and might have tendency to give him more exalted opinion with his Kentucky friends, for political sta bility; but it would be at the sacrifice of character, too great, even to be ex- tended 10 the Chief Magistrate of Ar kansas. To examine with ealmness the course of the last Legislature, in their proceedings on the s.Ten Sections 5 and "Memorial to Congress praying for the privilege to be granted to the people of Arkansas of eleetil1g theirown Governor" (which l propose in this and subsequent numbers.) cannot be consid- cred improper, if not necessary at this time, nor canit be deemed amiss in do- ing so, tofrase the curtain modestly and look behind the scenes, that tue people may discern in propria persona the actors in the drama-thcir .sgood Governor and Representatives, &c.
 FIRsr-71e Gra,,t, and Ae i1atentio1a of Congress an mahiag hhe same.-Con- gross, byansact passed the2d of March, 1881" !" granted to the Territory Of Ar kansas "Ten Sections of land, for the purpose of raising house at Little Rock, the Seat of Government, for the accommodation of the LegisIature.''- To discern the intention of Congress in making this gift to our Territory, it is necessary to look into the wants of the Legislature, for whose convenience and wants 1t was made; these are so gen. erally known, that it appears unneces- sary to reeapitulate; suffice 10 remark, the House where they have held their sessions. has been for years in state of dilapldatlon, and kept up by the tran sient repairs ordered by the Legislature and paid out of tho Territorial treasury. To this property, indifferent as if is, the Territory have no shadow of claim, as appears by report of q committee of the Legislature, at their special session in 1928, (see journals.) The construc- ton never was calculated for occupan. ey in indictment weather, being a light frame, ,weatherboarded, having no chim- nles, and theIoof leaky. Instead of house being convenient or useful 10 the Territory, it should be considered the reverse. In cold and bad weather. it has been found impracticable 10 do busi- ness in it, and the Legislature in their different sessions have had repeatedly to adjourn i'll consequence, and the ex- penses to the Territor, in this manner. for lost time of the members, must have been great-both Houses and their off cers sitting at an expense 10 the people of tv 0 hundred dollars per day. This uncomfortable situation of the Legisla- ture, and the impoverished state of our Territorial treasury, beingmade known to Congress, through our Delegate, they granted the Ten Sections of land. for the purpose ofremedying the inconyeni- ence, or to immediate purposes; 1; and that such was the general impress sion on the public mind, may be inferred from the fact, that when fl was intimated that Crittenden would offer his house to the Legislature, in exchange for the land, the idea appeared 10 meet with general appreciation; and many per sons have been heard to express their sentiments favorable 10 the exchange. l l., C..