Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-11-17
What the Arkansas Papers Say.
The Jefferson Independent has the following fish story under the title of
 A Second Peter.

fish story under the title of
 A Second Peter.
 "We are credibly informed that a catfish was caught in the river near the wharf, weigh ing thirty five pounds, which after being pur- chased by Mir. J. s. Duck of our town, Gate of Mississippi was opened and in it was found half dollar and dime This statement was corroborated by the testimony of Mr. Phine- as Smith.
 Mr. Duck tells us that this is not the first good investment he has made in the piscatorial line, having found inside of fish opened at diff ferent times during his lfe money to the amount os sirty dollrrs. Mir. Dnck was surely born under lucky star, when the fnny tribe thus join in bringing him the treasures that were in ''the deep bosom of our river buried"
 The editor notices an accident and draws moral thus
 The steamer Rough and Ready was sunk at Napoleon, by the Monongahela coming in con tact with her too violently as she lay in port. Many better man has gone down from the shocking effect of Monongale1a.
 The Ouachita Herald announces the death of Dr. D. 0. Williams, of Camden. | The following is from the Herald:
 Taxation for r'Railroad Purposes | The counties of Drew and Bradley have de- tcrmined to petition the Legislature for an act allowing them to tax themselves for the pur- pose of aiding in the construction of the M. o. & R. R. Railroad. In other counties the ques- tion is being agitated, and in view of these facts we have suggestion to make, and that IS, that the Legislature pass general act allowing the county courts of such counties as may desire it, to impose railroad tax, subject, however, to ratification by vote of the people in each county. This would save trouble, and could not possibly do harm to any one. If the peo- pie want to tax themselves, and believe it would be to their advantage to do so, it is their own matter, and they certainly should have the pri- vilege. If on the contrary, they do not desire to do so the law would, so far as they were concerned, be dead letter, and their rights would, in no degree, be infringed by such an act. Drew and Bradley will certainly tax themselves to complete the road to Monticello | and Warren, and we have no doubt but the other counties along the line will do likewise as the road progresses. Let us have the en- abling act by all means at the present session of the Legislature.
 | The Herald has this article entitled, The Banks Again.
 true DtUlOCTat tildI Wo are mistaken about the condition of these defunct institutions. It may be so, but it does not deign to inform us in what particular. It says that the whole thing will appear by the reports aoon to be published. We are not disposed to do in- justice to the State to the True Democrat or any one else, and will therefore wait until we get the reports. By them we are willing to be governed. We intimated that persons connect oJ with thOSo hirh in ntffoo in tho Stoto indebted to the banks. This the True Demo- crat denies, and fears that some one has been pulling wool over our eyes. It has been cur rently reported and believed for years that such parties were so indebted, but if they are not, or have recently paid upwe would be the last one to make such charge against them. We give the True Democrat credit for good intentions, but it is said that place considerably hotter than this country is paved with them. And while we have none but the kindest feelings for the editor we yet have the same opinion of his politics that he has of ours.
 After reading which we confess that we felt that we had, perhaps, done injustice in thought, if not in words to the editor Of the Elera d. We have intended to say something to certain of the opposition presses of this State and per- haps now is as good time to say it, as we may find. In the first place, we are not alarmists or of dsponding disposition, but we verily be- lieve that the contest of 1860, will be the most momentous exciting and closely contested of any since the formation of the Union. With the South, in the approaching struggle, it will not be q question of policy, but of existence. It will be trial between democracy and black republicanism, or, if they will between the North and the South. The hosts are marshall ing, the forces are gathering and the black CO., horts are wheeling into ranks. To meet these, the South must be united,-must present seried, unbroken front. The rights of the South in the Union,if possible, must be maintained, and on these questions we must all agree. In this behalf, whatever may be our other differ ences the press and people of the South should be unit If our anticipations should be cor rect, the Herald and ourself may be, hereafter found shoulder to shoulder, facing the con- mon enemy. So with some other opposition papers in Arkansas. We are satisfied that when the issue is forced upon us, they will agree to sink all minor differences, to waive for time the discussion of abstract principles and write in defence of our common country.- Firmly believing that this day is near at hand, that the cloud is already rising in the horizon, that the mutterings of the thunder and flashes of the lightning may, even now be heard and seen, we are disposed to cultivate better feel ing with those editors who show disposition to meet us in a like spirit There are other points on which we can agree and on which we can meet on common ground. These are the prosperity of he State, the advancement of the cause of education, the carrying on of sys- tenn of internal Improvements, and to have our character resources and capabilities correctly understood and appreciated at home and abroad.
 The Real Estate Bank has sufficient assets to pay off all of its liabilities. The difficulty is in the manner of bringing it into liquidation, but the lands are worth more than enough to redeem all the bonds The debt of the State is that incurred on account of the State Bank This, on the first of October last was, in round numbers, one million and one hundred thou- sand dollars. There is no necessity for magni- flying this sum, for it is large enough 10 be a serious matter. Let us look the facts firmly in their faces, neither seeking to break their force by saying that they are less formidable than they really are, or to represent them as much larger, for the sake of a temporary political ef- feet. The surplus money in the treasury, if applied to the purchase of these bonds at their value now in market would reduce this debt nearly or quite one-half. Our state is young, vigorous and growing; our receipts show a large margin over our expenditures; every de- partment is economically administered and the rate of taxation is comparatively low. Keeping the rate of taxation at the same rate, and fol- lowing up the collection of all debts due the state bank, this debt can be paid without re- sort to direct tax or even to increased taxa ton. And it has been asserted by those who are competent to form an opinion, that, if a system shall be adopted of assessing all proper