Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-01-12
The Summers Canvass---Conventions--

Candidates.
 The regular biennial election for members to Congress, members to both branches of the Gene- ral Assembly, and for county officers, takes place upon the first Monday in Aug. next. Democrats should bear in mind that the canvass tor these officers will soon be upon them, and they should begin preparations to conduct it with vigor.- Notices for county conventions should be clrcu- lated at an early day in every county, and steps taken to secure a full representation of the people,
 There are two members to the National House of Representatives to be elected-one from the first district, to fill the place now held by Judge Greenwood, and one from the second district, to fill the place occupied by Col War ren. There will be several asprants, in all pro- babty, for both positions, and the opportunity to select from the best talent in the State will be offered.
 For members to the General Assembly our democratic friends should be careful to select competent, honest, and faithful men. The con- tinued prosperity of the State depends much upon the action of the next Legislature, and therefore men of integrity and capacity, of en- larged and liberal views, should be chosen as democratic candidates. The future of the State is in the hands of the democracy, and they should prove themselves not unworthy of the trust. The wise policy inaugurated by our pre- sent Executive ought to be sustained and con- tnued- d-improved upon if possible, and worked out to its legitimate and glorious results. Ar kansas is rapidly filling with an enterprlsing, industrious population, while her onerous ln- debtedness, without the imposition of any ad- dtional burdens upon her people, is gradually diminishing. The position of member oi the General Assembly is highly honorable and responsible one, and to fill it with useful ness to the State, requires both capacity and in- tegrty.
 While upon this subject there is one point to which we promised, at the close of the last ses- sion, to direct public attention and we shall now redeem the promise. The practice of members of the Legislature leaving for home be- fore the day appointed for the adjournment dates from the foundation of our State govern ment, and has grown into serious evil. The most important business is generally deferred to the last few days of the session, when mea- gre majority only is present.
 If any one will take the trouble to look through our statute books, they will find that much the larger portion of the laws have al- ways been passed during the last four or five days of the sitting of the General Assembly, This Is a grevous wrong and should be reme- died. It Is the fruitful cause of the enactment of many lernicious laws and the failure of ma- ny necessary ones. The officers of the two bodies are hurried frequently into the commis- sion of serious errors the enrolling clerks are taxed beyond their powers-the committees on enrolled bills are not given time to compare the bills carefully with the originals after en- rollment-the Governor finds it impossible to read all the bills presented for his ssniture- great confusion always prevails, and the conse- quence is the commission of many serious blun- ders.
 We speak upon this subject from our personal knowledge, for we have witnessed the closing scenes of the last four sessions of our General Assembly. In each instance many of the most important bills were deferred to the last and there was but bare majority in atten- dance in either the Senate or the House. At the very crisis-at the most important period of the sesson-nearly one half of the Sta:e was wholly unre,reSented
 We call attention to this matter because it is of the highest importance. We do not recur to the past to censure-we would only have the people look to the future. The practice of leaving before the adjournment has become serious evil, and should be stopped. In the selection of candidates, those only should be ta ken who will be able and willing to keep their seats to the adjournment. If man is not vii. ling or able to devote the ,osole of the time to public affairs for which he was elected, he should not be sent to the legislature.