Washington telegraph., 1862-12-03
LITTLE ROCK, Nov. n, lSG2.

appeared last week, but was unavoidably
crowded out.
LITTLE Rock, Nov. Il, 1862.
Dear Telegraph: The Legislature is working
in good earnest to accomplish the business by
the first of December, the day fixed by joint
resolution for adjournment If that honorable
body could direct more attention 20 general
legislation rather than SO much to that which
is local and special, it would be better. The
distracted condition of our country has rem
dersi many persons under the necessity oil
asking relief from the force and effect OF exist
ing laws Many general laws are under con
sideration A bill for the general relief OF
soldiers families passed the Senate In the early
part of the week, and is at present before the
House and will probably become law in some
form. 1t provides additional pay of five dollar
per month to soldiers who are in the service,
and the widows and children of those who have
died or been killed, who are in need of assis-
lance which is to be distributed under direc-
ton of the county courts. A bill to encourage
the manufacture of salt, iron, cotton and WOO
cards. and machinery for the manufacture OF
cotton yarns is also pending IN the House.
petition was yesterday presented to the Legis-
lature from eminent citizens OF Sebastian
county, representing that the almost destitu-
tion prevailed in that and other of the frontier
for our armies for the last eighteen months,
and that many families would inevitably starve
unless there was some relief speedily given
They say that thu drouth prevented the people
| fIom raising grain, and that what little had
been raised had been consumed by the army
now occupying that country. This petition
had the official endorsement of Gen. Hindman,
| who states that the most fearful suffering was
| being felt by the women ana children of that
! mart of the State, and that he was now SUBJ
4 sistino many of them from the army stores,
| and that he was unable to give any adequate
| relief to the number who required it. A joint
| committee of the two Houses was raised to con-
slider the matter, who have it under considera-
ton and will probably report an appropriation
| To buy corn for those people. bill passed
| the House yesterday, which from its long pen
| ,Iency and the interest manifested in il, ha:
| won for itself the title of the Liquor Bill
II nroyides for licensed distilleries, with limi
| tatious and restrictions innumerable. Many
countenances about here would indicate wisi
that the bill had been passed Year ago ant
was now in full force, and its provisions Ia
.uccessful operations. shinplaster bill has
passed the Senate and is now pending in tn
| House Which permits the issuance of change
tickets under rigid restrictions. A bill is alsC
pending before the Senate to organize banks
II rruyides for a bank in each senatorial dis
trict. The capital stock to be aot less thai
one hundred thousand nor more than tire
hundred thousand dollars; the basis being Ar
kansas Treasury Warrants, which shall be de
posted with the State Treasurer, who shall
under the direction of the Governor, issue STAT
bonds, due in 1885, bearing i've per cent in
terest. The banks to issue at thu rate of tw
for one but to be compelled to assume speci
paying basis whenever required by the Genera
Assembly,. The usual restrictions have beel
thrown in against fraud. &c. do not thin
the bill will pass. though thas some warn
friends in both Houses. A bill has passe'
both Houses continuing the present law Il
force with regard to planting cotton, with a
amendment that the Governor aay suspen
the act by proclamation whenever peace is re
stored. A bill has passed the Senate co requir
the military board to ration and subsist com
panies of volunteers that may be authorize
and mustered into service by the major genera
commanding the Mississippi district, for tn
purpose of home defense and 10 prevent insur
| rection. .s.r
Yours truly.