The Van Buren press., 1869-10-26
Gov. Clayton~on the Universal Elective
Franchise.

4
sponse to call and serenadc from hi
friends from different parts Of the State
4 assembled at Little Rock in attendanc,
on the State Fair, made the followin;
speech. The remarks Of the Governor
correspond with the position that W,
were assured when at Little Rock, tha
hesoceppied. This is a,step in the righ
direction, and the G overner can, if HI
will, make himself the most popular MAJ
OF the republican party in the State. w.
know large number Of the extreme rad
icals, in the State, will condemn this
course. but the large masses of the
people are with him in this most just and
righteous matter, and will stand by him
to the end: hyl4s ats a.. ddW
Friends and F'elloU- Citizens: Has l.e-
Tc say that I am taken entirely by sur
prise at this demonstration, would be to
lay myself open to the charge Of afYecta-
ton, for was informed bya friend some
hours ago that would probably be call
ed upon this evening TO give a public ex-
preston Of my views upon certain qucs-
tons that are now agitating the public
mind in this State, and to some extent
throughout the whole country 9r9 .t'-.
Asa public man, l always stand ready
to give my views upon any public ques-
tions, and am, therefore, ready upon
this occasion, if it is desired, to give o
free and frank statement of my views up-
on all questions relating to the public
welfare, upon which | have given sufii:
cient attention. / cannot, tonight, elab-
crate my views, but can only state them
in brief, in respect to two questions now
being very considerably agitated-namel
w, the financial question and universal
suffrage. 7a ft-s "NH t" h
The financial interests Of the State, at
the present time, are exciting the atten-
ton of our people to great extent.
Tho reconstruction of the State was al-
most like building up a new State from
the ashes of the old. Disorganization,
confusion and lawlessness had so long
reigned that a large and expensive State
machinery was needed to restore the
State to its proper condition. 1t was
without schools or school system, with.
out bridges and public buildings in the
various cOmties--with the whole ma
chinery of the State almost Il perfect null
lity. To remedy all these evils large
expense was necessarily created. In the
accomplishment Of these objects mistakes
may have arisen--thc constitutional Con.
yention may have made some mistakes
the legislative enactments and proceed
ings may in some cases have been unfor,
tunats, the Executive may have commit
ted errors of judgment in regard to the
bsst .cou,se to be pursued; but the Re
publican party is unworthy the support
and confidence of the people if it is moi
willing and able to correct any abuse,
that may have crept in, and putting fortl
every effort to better the condition the
people. ep.ss. eta} .rtIaay I'd .no-
have no hesitation in saying that
am in favor Of q more thoroughly eco
nomical ADMINISTRATION. Of the State il
every way which may be practicable,
This, in my opinion, can. be accom-
plished to some extent by the abolition
or consolidation of some Of the offices
without detrimept to the public interest
as also by reduction of tho salaries, o
all oiIioors as sonn as this can be copsti
tutionally accomplished A thorough
equalization of taxation throughout tn
State would produce sufficient revenu
at much reduced rate Of taxation. Tn
heavy expenses heretofore incurred 70
the purposes of reconstruction will N
Longer be needed. There is no necessit.
4 for the present high rate Of taxation be
ing continued by the General Assembly
shall therefore urge upon that bod
at its next session avery considerable re
lduction in this particular. ...,. rl
The suffrage question is one that just
lly excites, the attention Of all Rcpubll
cans. In my opinion there is but on
way to dispose OF it,. And that is for tn
party which conquered the rebellion, til
| party which magnanimously forgave tn
enemies Of the Government, and restore
to them every lost privilege with the eS
ception Of the elective franchise, whic
has thus FAR been withheld from the leat
ers Of The rebellion, should now be pre-
pared to take steps in q Constitutions
way to restorc to them this lost privilege
and thus set at rest this veXed questio
forever. hope you will bear in min
that under the wise provisions of on
Constitution this cannot be hastily acceu
plished. If we should conclude to pre-
ceed now in that direction, it would /
years before the thing could be accon
plished. ~ .aai bsa'r,ta.,
The qualified electors, under the Coz
stitution, must twice give their consel
through their representatives, and one
directly at the. polls before any amen'
mcnt to the Constitution can become
part of the organic law. So you see ii
whole question is in the hands ofthc pee
pie. Therefore can any one say that
is unsafe to move in this matter 7 Ikno
that in, announcing my views upon tn
question l am liable to be misunderstood
by psrsons who jump atconclusions, an
misrepyesented by others who are aetn.
ted BY selfish desires and unreasonabl
prejudices, To all such | say, that tim
will show who are the true friends of I'll
. Republican party. 1t may be said that
have changed my views upon this qucs
ton, but this is not so for have alway
maintained that disiranchisement was
temporary cxpedient, only to be rcsorte
to while necessity existed Judge vii
/, sh,ra ,,;ll hoor mo ont in tho assert N