Arkansas intelligencer., 1848-02-26
The Internal improvement Convention.


the 9th inst, by the citizens of Washington, Ben
ton and Crawford counties, it was resolved that
the first Monday in A pr be set apart as suita-
BILE day upon which to hold Convention in Van
Buren, to devise measures for the construction OF
a Turnpike Road from this place to Fayetteville.
and 10 continue the same on to tho Missouri line
and that our fellow. citizens of the Northwestern
counties in this State and of the South western
counties of Missouri, be- invited to attend the same
II win also be seen that a committee OF cores
pondence was appointed Of gentlemen from thu Sc
vorol counties, for the purpose of acting in con-
cert and undersnndingIy in regard TO the objects
of the Convention. From these, il is evident that
our citizens have taken hold Of this subject with
an earnestness and energy that will ensure sue
cess.
It is frequently asserted that we have not the
means and enterprise for such undertaking; and
that we have no resources from which We can de-
rive aid ? Such assertions fall from the lips of
the timid. frequently from the selfish and but
seldom from the intelligent. entorPrsing and libe
raj. The question as 10 where else aid can be
hadf Could be answered by asking another. We
could ask where is the 100000 acres of land mu-
ni6centy donated by the Fedcrui Government to
Arkansas, expressly for internal improvement pur-
poses and where is there another object that more
effecualIy meets the intention of Congress than
the proposed road from the northern boundary to
the Arkansas river, which may and will eventu-
ally be continued to Red river, on our Southern
limit? We can answer inc reduIous friends
that aid may be. and will of right be, expected
from the fund raised by the sale of these lands.
At the next Legislature these counties interested
IN this turnpike will demand their proportion of
the fund to be appropriated 10 this object. 1t, in
connection with that raised by our owa citizens
and the enterprise Of the community will be put
TO its legitimate object and the spirit of the dona
ton will be- carried out in despite of the laggard
and wasteful policy of our State Government. In
despite of the arguments used, that the fund is not
largo enough-that Z" general policy has not
been adopted Notwithstanding an ppa rent de-
termination to appropriate this fund to leveeing
plantations in the South. We will ask for our
share Of the cash on hand-of the notes taken for
land soId-and of the lands on hand, vet unsold.
We can appropriate all these means, or as many
OF them as necessary, TO carry on this work. The
PractIcabity Of the plan is undoubied-thec COM
Pany can issue land scrip, and our merchants,
monied men, and in fact all classes will advance
funds on that, when they would not do it for IA
mere State fund. They will know, when they
invest their money here, for what purpose il goes
they will have the land scrip, and the money
which they paid for it vii! be expended here in
our own region of country, and on an object that
will bring back 10 the whole community, rich
interest.
1t may be asked, in wha, way can the funds be-
longing to public purposes be applied to individual
enterprise aud how the two resources can be
blended2
1t is proposed 10 organize chartered Turnpike
Company with all tho usua privileges and liubi-
ties; the stock TO be raised by subscription, in
money labor individuals will raise it TO the
extern! Of their means. The manner in which we
expect TO receive aid from this fund, is as follows
Let certain amount Of it be appropriated to aid
in the construction Of the road and that said
amount be invested in stock which will be divided
proportion to the popular strength, or upon some
other just basis, among the counties interested and
claiming this appropriation Of the Internal I'M
provement Fund. Said stock to be under the con-
troll and management OF the authorities of the
several counties.
This is feasible plan, but there are others that
may be more practicable and more agreeable TO
the wishes of the people. We merely throw out
this hint, understanding that the Central Commit
tee will digest several plans and prepare them for
the expected convention.
We sincerely hope that fellow citizens in
the counties interested will be up and stirring and
send down delegations prepared to adopt some
plan. Upon those gentlemen who have been APP
pointed members of the corresponding committee,
great reliance is placed for proper agitation of
this subject.
VICESBURG THEATRE BURNT. The Vicksburg
Wing of the Sth inst, gives the following account
of the fire, which was very destructive
"On Friday night, Judge Pinckard's large brick
building (or block Of buiIdings) embracing the
stores of Mr.. VIM. Biggs, Mr.. A. NJ Auguste,
and Mr.. 7. ]. Hauns-the Masonic Lodge-seve-
raj offices, and the new and elegant Theatre-was
entirely consumed by fire The fire occurred in
the middle of Booths engagement, and just sim
gle night previous to the one on which he was to