Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-03-16
The Card or Address of Ex-Speaker

ent from the facts as they existed.
 With the remarks concerning MT. Oates we have nothing to do, as that gentleman is fully competent to defend himself; but we desire to set ourselves right in the mat ter in connection with which we are named, and to notice one or two singular state ments in Mir. Duva's production.
 He says that the card of MT. Oates was made the occasion of ah uncalled for insin- nation against the House of Representatives and himself, in this paper. On the con trary. the article he alludes to. was de- fence of the members It was evident that the position taken by the new speaker led to the doctrine that the General Assembly might take recesses or might fail to agree upon time of adjournment and so extend the session until November, 1860. And for all this time to be consistent, he would have stood ready to certify accounts for pav. Had either House refused to pass the appropriation bill and dissolved, the Governor could not have called an extra session, because they contend that there was an existing session, and they deny his power to appoint day for them to reas- sembIe The remedy, we are told, IS for the remaining few to meet and send after absentees. By the time the door-keeper had brought back the truant member rom Greene, Sever, Benton or other extreme counties. others would have left and this came of hide and seek would have had no end When it was understood that the new speaker was certifying accounts for daily pay during the recess, we were taunt- ed with this action of democratic leglsla- ture. Not only was it charged that they would do the same thing again, and so keep drawing pay, but letter-wrters and newspaper correspondents were spreading this rumor all over the State. Of course, we did not believe this. We were satisfied that there was too much honor and patriot ism among the members for this, and when the two Houses agreed upon day for final adjournment, pointed to that fact as complete and triumphant refutatlon ot the ramor. For this defence an attempt was made to arraign us, and certain busy bo- dies, full of strategy, succeeded in persua- dino some of the members that 1t was a great indignity offered to them. They showed themselves sore and sensitive on point where they should have been sound.
 Mir. Duval says that he protested against the Governors action, because 1t was ex- tending the time of the recess beyond the period asked for by the House. It was said here and generally believed, that a number of members had agreed not to re- turn until certain time, the l0th or per haps the 17th of January. Some had gone home to return in week; others, Tn two or three weeks, while yet others had leave of absence for an indefinite period of time. When the subject of taking recess was first suggested, it wns proposed to take month or more. Upon fixing the day for the re-assembling of the legislature it was sought to name the earliest day at which the members could be brought together.- Had the 10th of January been selected, 1t is evident those members here whose homes
 hor had time to have gone there and returned, nor would the proclamation have reached members at their distant homes in time for them to have reached here by that day. In fact, the time was so short that few members did remain at the capital, as by going home they would have had to return immediately.
 It is favorite argument with those who defend the action of the speaker in signing certificates, to refer to the adoption, by the Senate, of the report of the majority of the committee We as much respect the mem- bers of that committee and their chairman as Mr. Duval, and their honesty of purpose, as we'll as their judgment, is not to be i'm peached But the action of the Senate proves either too little or too much. They virtually decided that they were legally entitled to the money but sustained their chief officer and refused to draw it. Why? If this refusal of the Senate was right, and the people seem to think so; if this action of President Fletcher was correct one, we submit that the action of Speaker Du- val was wrong.
 Mr. Duval tells us that he was elected Speaker against his express wishes, and that the distinguished honor" was con- ferred upon him unsolicited But he tells us that his opinions were well known. He had said, over and again, that the Speaker should sign certificates for per diem pay; he had presented one to be signed; he had talked, spoken and worked to convince members that they were so entitled. It was known the day before, that Mr. Oates would resign if the resolution required him to sign the certificates, and the friends of Mr. Duyal were actively electioneering for him, of which it appears, he was utterly unconscious At all events, he accepted | the office, knowing the conditions and ful- | filled them.
 The amount of mileage actually drawn bv all the members was as follows: House, | S3. .627 60; Senate, $l,109 D. The pay of the members and officers of the House each | day was S334 of the Senate, S131. amounting during the recess to $11, lS4 %. | The difference between the mileage and per diem is SC, S07 15.
 We give the form of an account against the State, that the people may see what was certified to:
 THE STATE OF ARKANSAS,
 To A. B. Dr.
 For services as a member of the General Assembly, 24 days, commencing
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