Arkansas intelligencer., 1845-01-25
For the Arkansas Intelligencer

Mr.. EDITOR I'll seems that the wisdom of our
Legislature, and that of our immediate represen.
tatives in particular, have actually incorporated
the Town of Van Buren, by the name of the Cag
of Van Baren. | congratulate you on the fact of
living once more in city, and take the liberty of
n,odestly limiting that as you are no longer Ca
bned, cribbed and confined in fourshing pro.
vincal town, that you forthwith alter the of
your hebdominul from that of Arkansas INTEL
LIG ENcBR to VAN buren, CITY 'lNTELLIcENcER, ii
will be then city paper and devoted TO all the
varied Interests under our municipal regulations.
see but one difficulty in the way-you have here
1toiore advocated democratic principles--that Of
perfect and entire political equality among the
peope--your reed rhha-s -i----' "'s'i"hcnise-
! fnent as much as nature abhors a vacuum, and
our city charter confines the selection of munich
pal officers to property holders. So you must
change your creed or you cannot be the organ Of
our city. If you and are unfortunately poor,
t- --d i"~-s"i.,i, sla fiis ,isf~sune,
in lands and tenements, we must stand back aud
permit the owner Of quarter acre of land in ibD
city, TO exercise the dignity of MAYOR ~"a Com
mon Couneiin,en, while "'".sry class, (deemed,
however, unworthy, Uy the act of incorporation. }
because .irey not freehoders, are disfrancbis
ed. How is this Our Declaration of Indepeu
dence says, that all men are created equal :"
and TO secure this equality, the Constitution of the
United States has said that equality of civil and
political rights Is tho brh-rght of all men living
under Its protection, and 10 secure this political
equality, hereditary distinctions are prohibited
ct under our city charter this equality which is
guaranteed TO all, is violated, and thew have oI
most practically carried out the mona rchical doc
trne - that the distinction of rank and hopors is
necessary in well regulated government" If
they have not recognised this doctrine. thev have
established one equally odious--that of a nroner.
ly qualification to fill Office. Why have they
limited the honors ard enoluments of office IN :,
Favored few ~ Does property give POLITICAL
rights under our constitution and does the posI
session of freehold necessarily give wisdom q
superior abilities to the fortunate possessor,
we'll as the exclusive privilege of holding offte
under the charter. suppose that Dutch JOIN, |
who is freehoder, will insist upon tho affirm i've
of the propositions. ~" .H- . |
have moreiy, Mr.. Elitor, stated this radical
objection, it is too palpably obnoxious to arpte its
absurdity. There are other provisions of tle act
of incorporation liable to objection but no, 10 the
same extent. Where is the necessity OF NJ sepa.
rate body of Magisracy for the city? WE have
as yet no divisions of first, second or ,hirS muui
cipaIity. 1t seems to me that the LEGISLATURE
should have so divided and extended the city be.
foro a separate body Of Magis,racy was required.
Why did not their far searching Legislative ken,
ac, for the future, and make DR.. McGee's noun.
tain town, the upper; the city proper, the middle
unu tne COttou Sius INC OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF
the city of Van Buren,. But in sober earnest.
ness, two additional Justices Of the Peace for the
city, haring concurrent jurisdiction psM the
Circuit Court orer all penal offences, less than fe-
iony. chich may 6e commitied wiihin the corporate
limits Of the CITY" is unnecessary and inconveni-
ent. Would It not have been better to have vest.
ed that power in the Mayor, with the right to ap.
peal to the Circuit Court There are more Jus.
tces of the Peace in the township than do
n. ----- r r ~dd;.an.l r,, IL - '----'--,~
once worthless, as far as the profits of the Office
are concerned. .7l 81 'at.r rts..T
difficulty may arise with regard TO the power
and extent of taxation, (aIways a matter to be
exercised with delicacy. The Constitution of our
State says "that all property subjee, TO tara,;ou.
shall DC fdred according TO its ralue, making The
same equal and uniform throughout lhe State. No
one species Of property, from schich tar nsay be
collected, shall be fared higher than another species
Of property Of equal raluc." And the Statute un.
der the head of Revenue says !" The annual
amount Of tar 10 be euied on all objects of taration
meaning all lands lying in the State, shaNbe at he
rate of onc-eigaM Of per centum, o., tie assess
ed rdtne Mereof until othcrcise propsded 5y la,c -
This, indeed, has reference to a revenue for the
support Of government; but should municipal