The Arkansas banner., 1849-07-03
SAMUEL ADAMs,
Trasurer ef iAe S.ale ef .4rEaasas.

v TaKAsURER's 0yncE. Liffle Rsek, June o. 'l9. SHM: By Fafsrenee to s An nct tO divide the Semi nary Fand, and ts sexiablish Common Schools" ap- proved 5th Jannary, lSs9, you viii see il is made my dnty to divide said fand among the several counties of te Si.se. h proportion to the number of free ks ehiidrsn. over tho ags of tsR years and andes that of twenty-oae. in each according to the eensqs last taken"
 By reference to tho census lasa taker--in Isl6-- yOa viii 300 that, by adding the second and third columns together, tho number of free white males can be ascertainsd bat theFe are no mems of taining the number of free white frmalss. between the ages of ten and twsnly-one years. Would I be justified, ander the law. in making an spporsiOnmen. of the fand from the number sG males between the sgs~ dszigHatedf Your HnSwvF 1 b sOlicited. Yours, with respect, SAMUEL ADAMS,
 TIeasurS ef tAs State ef Askaasas. Hon. Joan J. CLxznEMS,
 Istternsy Gsasysi q .arkaasas. ATTORNEY GExEaAL's oFFrcR Liftis Rock. ATkansas, June 2S, lS59. { Sra: YourcommunicatiOn, requesting my opinion on the .. Act to divide the seminary fund. and to establish common schools" and as to the line of duty to be discharged by you, has been duly re- ceived.
 The act to divide the seminary fund, and to ere ate common schools, approved January 5th, lsis, makes It the daty of the treasurer to divide said fund among the several counties of the State, in proportion to the number of free hte ekiidreR over the age of ten years, and under twenty-Oae years, in each, according to the census last taken"
 The language of the act is explicit, and tho duty of the Treasurer plain; but, by reference to tho |" census last taken," difficulty presents itself the number of freo white males be ascertained, but by some oversight, 1t seems that there Is no account taken of the free white feniaies, between the ages of ten and twenty-one years.
 By the language of the act to divide the semi nary fund and establish common schools, 1t Is evil dent that the intention of the legislature wns tha. this fund should no longer lie dormant, but that 1t should be applied, early as practicable, to the high and worthy object it was always intended to carry out; and that all the counties of this State should have the nucleus of fund by which they could commence system ofcommon schools which the intelligence and interests of the people, and the wisdom of the legislature will. it is to be hoped, before long perfect.
 have no doubt but that you will carry out the spirit of the act by dividing this fund in proportion to the free white saaes, over ten and under twenty one years as al the counties equally interested and no injustice can be done to any The proportion of males and females in ench county always nearly eqnal, aad by dividing this fund according to the Hsaies ten and under twenty years, as taken by the " last census" each county in the States will receive its just proportion, and that you would bo justified in doing.
 Respectfully, yonr obedient servant,
 JOHN J. CLENDENIN,
 SAMUEL ADAMS, Esq, Attorney General.
 Treasurer ef the State of .4rkansas