Des Arc citizen., 1860-07-18
NUMBER 35.:

such an interest; an interest in fact c,it,ai to 12 per cent. on the actual cash received for the bonds? think not, and were a member of railroad company certainly should vote to refuse any such aid--aid that would cer- tainly destroy the company, entirely. When the State of Arkansas is iintfamnleled with debt--rich and prosperous as she then will be --the question of issuing bonds of the State to build railroads with, might. with great pro- priety be brought before the General Assem. ply. But such aid now wouldnot only destroy the railroad company that received it, but would involve the State in ruinous debt from which she wonld receive no compensatipg benefit. el t7sH
 The State Convention adopted the following resolution:
 sResolved that we are in favor of the 35th parallel for the Pacific railroad, provided the same be the most practicable." f lregard this enterprise as one of deep in- terest to the State, and 1 look upon the con struction of the railroad from Memphis via Little Rock to Fort Smith, as the snre means to obtain it. The work of building the road between Memphis and Little Rock is rapidly progressing. The division between Memphis and the St. Francis rivef--40 miles long-is completed, ard the cars are rnnning over 1t. The division between Little Rock and White river will be finished by 1stJuly, 1861 Near " all of the grading Is done, many of the cross ties have been obt'ined and placed on the ground, and the locomotive has been pur- chased and shipped to Little Rock. With tho aid that the State can extend to this road al the next meeting of the General Assembly, out of means she has on hand, Idoubt not it can be built to Fort Smith in very few years, and thus become formidable rival to more northern routes in the contest for the great Pacific railroad.
 The Mississippi, Ouachita and Red River | II. sh v,l I and the Cairo and Fulton road equally impor- tant and necessary as parts of the system the State should adopt. and as necessary to the general wealth and improvement of the State, demand and should receive like aid and encour- agement. ns.sf. sssaea
 The cause of education comments itself al- wayssto the Executive and General Assembly of the State. With the means we have, little has been done. and butlittle could be accom- piished. Bnt those means can and should be Increased. The cosities will soonhave finish cd their court and jail ho1ses, and certain funds of the treasury now generally directed to1the purpose of building, might be very preftably I added tothe school find. "
 In the Senate of the United Statcs,s Senator Johnson of this State Introduced and passed a bill known as the Homestead bill. If this bill should be passed through the House of Rep lsresentatiyes, as 1t came from the Senate com mittee on public lands. this State will receive rich grant of lands from the federal govern- ment, All the lands within the State hat have been exposed to sale for certain period of time-I believe 30 years--are granted by the bill to the State, If this bill should become | law at this session. l should Dc in favor of off, fering all the land it grants atonce for sale on reasonable termss and applying the proceeds to educational purposes. As there are now great many lands in the State that would be granted under the provisions of this bill, and as the amount would be added to every year, the fund arising from the sale of them would be piincely one, amply sufficient to afford good school in every neighborhood in the State.
 FELLOW CITIZENS: This address'has alrea- dy grown too long. and I must close it. II am before you for the first time in my life as a candidate for office, and I cheerfully submit myself to your will, to be expressed at the polls know have bitter, nnfo,giving enc mies who will studiously assail and Inisaepre- sent my character |. have been too long in public life, and have borne too conspicuous partsin the contest for your rights and inter- ests not to have ma le nany enemies. Butth they can destroy me in your good opinion.aor cause Democrats to forget the long and faith fuI service have done them, I do not for moment believe ssH aaA
 I am native born citizen of the states and the first 1 believe that has ever been honored by any party with position of distinction in the State. I was born and raised, and my whole life has been spent in Arkansas. have never had or known any other home, and every tie, every affection, every interest and every hope have on this earth are centered within the State and bound inher welfare and pros perity. NNjRS84 8y}NaeS gs
 Respectfully, your fellow-citizen.. se
 RIcH'D H. JOHNSON.
 LITTLE Rock, AnK's, May 31st, 1860.
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