Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-11-03


 is very important and should be provided for in amending the law. It is recommended that the salary of our State Geologist be increased to equal that paid by the States of Mississippi and Missouri respectively, to their State Geo logists. The present compensation had but lit- tie influence in securing the important and val uable services of Dr. Owen.
 In compliance with the duty enioined by |" An act to provide for revising and digesting the statute laws pf Arkansas' approved 14th January, 1857, tie Governor appointed Josiah Gould to revise and digest the statute laws of this State in the manner prescribed by the act; and appointed George c. Watkins to examine such revsal or digest when completed. On the 31st day of October, 1857, the examiner certi- fled to the Governor that he had "Carcfuliy examined the revsal or digest prepared by Josiah Gould, esq, and that such revsal is complete and correct digest of all public or gen. era! laws now in force." The law provided for the printing and binding of three thousand and five hundred copies of the digest for the use of the State The digester has reported to the Governor that the printing of the digest was completed early in May last.'
 The Secretary of State made contract to have the $500 copies bound and delivered to him. The binding, it is believed, was comple- tcdlast month.
 It is recommended that an act be passed at an early day for supplying, as soon as possible, one copy of this digest to every State and coun- ty officer; and that the price per copy, be fixed, so that individuals who are not officers may have an opportunity of buying the laws. Each officer should be required to deliver the copy of the Digest received by him to his successor in office.
 In addition to the number of copies requisite to supply the officers, some extra copies for sale should he placed with the clerk of each county for the convenience of purchasers. An appro- priation of money will have to be made to ena- ble the Secretary of State to secure the delivery of the requisite number of copies of the Digest to the clerks of the several counties. The digester of the laws and the inspector Of the digest of the laws, have, each made report of considerable importance which will be printed and laid before you: and your attention and consideration are respectfully invited to these valuable reports.
 It is recommended that the Secretary of State be authorized by law to forward to the author- ties of each of the organized Indian govern ments west of this State, copy of the Digest of the laws of Arkansas, and full set of the published reports of the decisions of the su- preme court of this State; and that permanent provision be made by law for furnishing for the use of those governments copies of the laws and reports from time to tlme as they shall hereafter be published.
 The Secretary of State is librarian, and, as such, has the custody of the laws and books of the State; and the disposition of them is reguat- ed by law, and not by any discretionary power of the Governor.
 By authority of "An act authorizing the Co., vernon to sell the Governors Mansion in the city of Little Rock," approved 18th January, 1857, the Executive, on the 24th day of Sep tember, 1857, sold the property as required by the law upon a credit of twelve months, for three thousand and seven hundred dollars in specie To secure payment note with good personal security was taken and deposited with the State Treasurer, and is to draw interest at the rate of eight per cent. per annum, from the time due until paid. A bond under the seal of the State, was given to make deed to the pur- chaser after full payment of the purchase mo- ney and interest for the property so!d being lots one, two and three, in block thirty eight (West of the Quapaw line) in the city of Little Rock.
 In collecting debt the State acquired this property at a cost of about thirtvhve hundred dollars in Arkansas bank paper then much be- low par; and to make it of some use to the State it was appropriated, although not suitable for the residence of the Governor.
 The Secretary of State is ex-offieo commis sioner of public buildings and as such has made report relative to the necessity of thoroughly repairing the State House. To the report anc to the condition of the building your consdera tion is respectfully invited. It is recommended that ample provision be made by law for substan tialIy and completely repairing this valuable property of the State.
 As authorized and required by "An act tC provide for the construction of block of addi tional cells in the main building, within tht walls of the Penitentiary and for other purpoS es, approved 14th January, 1857, the Govern or on the 26th day January, 1857, entered in to contract with Alexander George and ohr Robins for the safe keeping, clothing and subsis tcnce of the convicts of the Penitentiarv for tho term of two years from the date af the contract aa1d ,ffayed s6v said act and in addition tc what the law required the contract pro. vided that the main building the hospital and the newly erected workshop should have good tin gutters supported by iron spikes and ether suitable fasteningS, and large tin pipes tC carry off the rain water; all of which the con tractors agreed to perform for the sum of thirty seven thousand dollars, the consideration nam- ed and appropriated by said act. The law and the contract provid d that all of the work should be completed by the first day of Novem- Der, 1858. The Governor appointed Samuel If. Webb, Inspector, and he has reported that Alexander George and John Robins, completed all of the work required by their contract and that final payment was made to them for 1t ir September last The Inspector also states that the contractors performed the whole of it in manner credtable to themselves and beneficial to the State.
 To the report of the Keepers of the Peniten- tiary and the suggestions therein made your at. tenton is respectfully invited. By the report it appears that eightyseven convicts remained in the Penitentiary, on the first day of October 1858, and that two runaway slaves were alst detained there subject to be retrived by theil owners. It is recommended that provisions be made for building house for the Warden ol Keeper, at the Penitentary; that suitable ar. engagements be made for imprisoning female convicts and that a cistern, to supply sufficient water for the use of the Institution be con. structed It seems to the Executive that i, would be good policy to provide for manufac- turing coarse cotton cloths by the labor of the Penitentiary convicts.
 Your early attention and action are solicited to the subjects connected with the Penitentiary for the important reason that the existing con- tract for the keeping, clothing and subsistence of the convicts will expire on the 25th day o January next. The present keepers have con ducted the institution in manner which, it is believed, will be satisfactory to you. As a matter of importance requiring legislative &C., tion, your consideration is invited to the com. muncation of the Secretary of State of Arkan- sas, dated 26th October, 1858, enclosing let ter from the Commissioner of the general land office, to him, dated October 9th, 1858, in rela. tion to the transfer of the archives of the Sur. veyor Generals office to the authorities of the State of Arkansas. For further information on the subject, you are respectfully referred to the letter of the commissioner, and to the acts of Congress therein designated. These archives are very valuable and important and should be preserved with the utmost care. It is be- lieved that if the State will provide suitable office for the reception and safe keeping oi these records and papers, no other public ex- pense will be necessary. A tariff of liberal fees to, be paid by individuals for whom service shall be rendered would afford sufficient compensation for taking care of the records and papers,
 In the year 1886 "The Bank of the State of Arkansas" wss created. One thousand six per cent and opa bupd and c;v ,,,.