The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1868-01-31
THE ARKANSAS CONVENTION.
Special corrsspondsnee to the Cara cIrr.
rHR RroRrH DAT.

|psciAl Corrsspondsnce to the CARR cITr.
THR RIaRrH DAT.
Alter our chaplain had invoked Gods
blessings upon the nominations Of yesesrdsS,
and beseechsd Gods wisdom and diFsct'on
in forming Constitution based upon Justice
and right, the journal was rad and ap-
proved.
A protracted debate sprung up over the
credentials OF Mesrs. Moore and Norman,
Of Ashley county.
Nj. Cypert (rebeD from White closed the
debate upon the special order Of Monday,
1.-THE adoption Of The present State Consti-
tution,' Affirming that the General Govern
meut had recognized Arkansas a. State in
several ways, &C., &C., and finally wound up
on rehash Of the Rebel speeches on the last
canvass upon nNigger Equality" "Nigger
SuyreaAey, AisceSenation, dc.
MI. cypert, q member Of the Conven.
ton, has thus far opposed every measure
originating on the Republican side Of the
House, and in this Convention is the cham.
'pion Of the "Whi,e Mans Party is about
forty five years OF age, dark hair and eyes,
medium height, of rather slender build, of
q nervous temperament; quick to see an OPP
ponent's weakness, and attack il; keen in
his perceptions, but not deep; was for time
Major in the Confederate army, and repre>
SCENTS veil the bitterest Rebel county in the
State Of Arkansas In his social relations
he is courteous and a5able. and / am told is
esteemed a good neighbor and citizen at
home.
forgot TO mention in my last that James
Kinds, ESQ.,, of this city, was nominated IN
the I'd Congressional Convention Yesterday as
their Representative TO Congress. Mr.. Kinds
is an active, thorough Republican, and man
OF excellent good sense and Judgment. !
shall rejoice if he succeeds in the canvass.
NINTH DAT.
January II, 1868.
The vote on the ordinance offered by Mr..
Cyperi of White, adopting the present State
Constitution came to q vote, and was lost
by large vote.
DfQUhb iuEtUHdCCa iCStt4tton taos
Thomas NJ. Bowen, W. c. Adams and Geo.
Smith be appointed committee to examine
into the status Of the Fort Smith and Little
Rock Railroad, and report the same to the
next Legislature.
There was belief entertained by many
Republicans that there we're heavy frauds be-
ing perpetrated upon the State BY that road,
but by referring to the grants made TO that
road and others, think it very doubtful il
such could be or is the case. The debate that
sprung up on the rebel side Of the House,
however, would indicate that they we're SEN
sitive on that point.
TENTH DAY.
January Is, 1868.
Mr.. Sims, of Desha, Chairman of the
Conmitte on the Legislative Department. sub
mitted a draft of the Constitution. relating te
that branch Of the Government, which wa,
ordered to be printed and made the specia
order Of next Friday.
Mr.. Kinds, of Pulaski, from the Commit.
tee on Ordinance and Memorials, reported
To- day an ordinance appropristing $4,000
out of moneys now in the State Treasury. fol
per diem mileage and other necessary expen.
| SEES of the Convention, which was put on il,
final passage, and adopted. This saves the
expense of collecting special tax, which
| would cost the State about fifty thousand te
collect it, besides the hard times upon us and
| the oolloef;op nj thia tax rauld nnArota 90 :,
unfriendly towards the success of the mex
canvess and the ratification Of the Consti
tuition, by delaying the collection of the spe'
ei6c tax, provided for in the Reconstruction
act until the regular lime for gathering taxes
great saving will accrue to the State. Thi,
| idea 10 we'll conceived on the Republican side
Of the House.
Mr.. Matthews, of Drew county, offered q
resolution defining the work of the Conven-
ton, and restricting the Convention to
its legitimate work, of drafting Coustitn-
uon. After some discussions farther-con-
sideration was postponed two weeks, which
is q virtual death. There is constant ten.
dency and desire on the part of many, to
anticipate the work Of the next Legislature,
while the better class Of the delegates are
anxious to hasten through with the work here
and get into the fgh. over the ratification Of
the Constitution.
ELEVENTH DAY.
January 20, 1868.
The Convention to-day passed an ordinance
in conformity with the "Recons,ruction act
to levy specific tax" to defray the expen.
ses of the Convention, levying tar OF one.
fourth Of one per cent. upon the taxable pro-
perry ofthe State, to reimburse the Treasury.
Onr genial friend. John G. Price, editor Of
the Little Rock Republican, was made State
Printer to-day.
Mr.. Smith, Of Phillips, presented an or.
dinance making all Indebtedness for slaves,
nau and cold" which went to IT'D second
reading. This is an important measure, ana
| viii relieve many who are otherwise saddled
with debts, that can neither be borne or ever
paid.
think my old friend, General Pillow, vii
rejoice, if this ordinance is adopted, and
believe it will be to the welfare of the State
| that this be adopted.
The weather is very cold, and we are get.
ting our winter IN good earnest,