The Van Buren press., 1868-01-24

JANUARY 18th, 1867
The Convention was opened with
prayer.
Mr.. Kyle offered the following;
Res0lred. That the Committee on Finance,
to whom was referred the resolution TO enquire
whether or not there were more officers than
necessary for the business be instructed to re-
port the resolution back TO the Convention.
Adopted.
Mr.. Brooks offered the following:
Res0lred That T. NJ Bowen, W. G. Adams
and Geo. W Smith be and they are hereby ap-
pointed commissioners 10 investigate the at
fairs of the Little Rock and Fort Smith Rail
road, with power 10 send for persons and pa
pcrs, compel the attendance of witnesses. etc.
and tn report to the next Legislature Of Ar
kansas provided that no expense is hereby in
cured on behalf of the State.
Mr.. Cypert said he understood the gen
tleman who offered the resolution a few
minutes ago to coincide with him in the
view that this Convention had no power
to do aught but frame a Constitution, but
by this resolution the Convention was un-
dertaking an investigation Of the affairs
of corporation. He was opposed to it.
Mr.. Bowen (Mr. Snyder in the Chair
said it was strange that the gentleman
coming from County not on the line of
the road, should offer himself as its cham
pion. lie was opposed to the Conycn-
ton in engaging in legislation, but saw
no impropriety in ordering this inyesti-
CATION. If the company was acting right
there was nothing to fear from an exam
ination into its condition. People along
the line of the road demand this inyesti-
CATION.
Mr., Hodges, Of Pulaski, wanted to
/ know if the investigation would be at
tended with any expense if so, he was op-
! posed to it,
/ Mr. Bowen said there would be none,
Mr.. Hodges, of Pulaski, did not know
how witnesses could be compelled to at
tend if their expenses were not paid.
| However, he would vote for it if amended
so that no expense would be incurred by
! the State. The provision to that effect
in the latter clause was accepted by the
mover.
Mr. Beasley said he did not know if a
vote of censurc was implied or not, but
| the resolution looked to investigating
matters over which we have no jurisdic
ton. The people sent us here solely to
frame a Constitution, and he would not
consent to spend time and money in at
tending to any other business.
Mr.. Brooks did not favor legislation,
and as objection was made to the passage
Of the resolution now he was willing to
have it referred for few days.
Mr.. Sarber moved to refer it to the
Committee on Internal Improvement.
Mr.. Hicks as citizen desired to see
the subject investigated by those who
had a right 10 knowledge Of facts in the
case; but he hardly thought the Conven
ton had any control of the subject.
Mr.. Bowen was surprised to see gen
tlemen who did not live along the line of
the road taking an interest in the matter
and opposing the investigation. He
hoped that direct vote would be had on
the resolution. If there was nothing
wrong, nobody had anything to fear from
the investigation.
Mr.. Kyle only objected to it as it was
consuming time in performing duties
strictly legislative.
Mr.. Cypert said the company was &
corporation vita vested rights. fit had
violated its charter it was amenable alone
to the Courts, even the Legislative power
could only develop facts which would
call the attention Of the Courts to viola.
tons of charter This body had no moro
right to investigate this matter than i,
had to inquire, upon rumor, whether OIL
not he was bigamist. ltwas only upoI
proofs Of violations Of its charter tha
the company could be interferred with by
the Courts of law.
The motion to refer was put and lost
The question of the adoption Of the res
olution was then put and the resolution
was adopted ayes Al noes 22-all the
Conservatives no., } voted in the negative