The true Democrat., 1856-11-04

ton railroad company without any restriction, except such as are provided by the act of Con gross making the grant, and such as will nro. tect actual settlers who may have purchased from authorities of the State lands sold 2. swamp and overflowed lands, but which mav be ascertained to belong to the grant made to aid in building the railroad.
 The General Assembly, at its last session granted to the Memphis and Little Rock rail. road company the lands appropriated by Con. gress to aid in building the eastern branch of the Cairo and Fulton railroad; and granted tha lands intended for the western branch, to the company of the Little Rock and Fort Smi,b branch, of the Cairo and Fulton railroad. The Executive regrets that he has received no To. port or intelligence from either of these com. panies relative to their progress towards con. structing these important works.
 Without any aid from the State or federal governments, energetic and enterprising citizens have undertaken to construct the "Mississinr; Ouachlta and Red River railroad" and tba "Little Rock and Napoleon railroad" For;r formation relative to what has been dona ,o wards the construction of these important road. you are respectfully referred to the renorts o, the presidents of the companies engaged in building them. When practical business n,or devote their time, labor and money to estabI;sb great works of internal improvement like tbase they evince potriotic public sprit which o.
 titles them to encouragement in their laudabo undertakings
 It Is believed that geological survey of the otase' Il properly made by an experienced and scientific geologiSt of high character and known ability, would tend greatly to develop many of the resources of the State and prove highly ben ehcal. It is therefore recommended that nro. vision be made by law for commencipo and prosecuting, to completion, a geological survey of the State; and that compensation sufficient ly liberal be allowed and appropriated to secure the services of geoogist of the very. first ability and character
 The Executive has uo official information on the subject of our common schools by which he can form any idea, whether the existing laws ensure the faithful application of the common school funds in the several counties to the pur- pose for which they are intended, or not. But the subject is one of such deep interest that your attention is invited to it. From your own observation and information you may deter mine whnthpr Or ali .l,4 the subject is necessary. The Executive is anxious that the opportunities and advantages of education should be disseminated into all parts Of the State; and to effect this object our school funds must be guarded with vigilance and sacredly applied to the cause of education. These funds are annually increasing; and. if taken care of, will, in few years, it is hoped, be sufficiently large to induce our citizens to be willing to argument them, so that we may have system of free schools It is highly desirable that colleges and universities of learn ing should be encouraged and education pro- noted as fal as possible
 In compliance with "An act in relation to the public arms," approved 16th January, 1855. and with the forty sixth provision of the appro- priation act of 2Oth January, 1855, the Cover nor had removed from Tulip Dallas county. such of the public ordnance arms and equip ments as remained there, and caused them to be deposited at the United States Arsenal. at Little Rock, for safe keeping. He has also had them cleaned and placed in proper order.
 ltis recommended that such additional le- gislation be had as may be necessary to organ- ize the malitia of the State and to cause them to be periodically trained
 During the recess of the General Assembly David Walker resigned the office of Judge of the Supreme Court; and to fill the vacancy the Executive appointed Thomas B. Hanlv. It will devolve upon the General Assembly at this session to elect Judge of the Supreme Court
 We have abundant cause to be thankful to the Great and Omnipotent Governor of the Universe, that he has preserved to us our civil liberty and religious freedom, blessed our State With increasing prosperity; caused the earth to yield an abundance for our sustenance support and comfort, and good health generally to pre- vail.
 Fully con6ding in your wisdom, integrity. hrmness and patriotism, 1 can but anticipate that the results of your session will conduce to the welfare of our constituents and the pros- perity of the State.
 ELIAS N. CONWAY.
 EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
 Little Rcck Arb., 4th Nov, '56.