The Van Buren press., 1871-07-18
OUR TRIP.

OF the Democratic and Conservative State
Central Executive Committee as a member
OF the Third Congressional Committee, we
went 10 Little Rock to be in attendance upon
an assemblage Of committees of the various
Districts, appointed to meet Oil Monday the
loth We found ample room and the best ac-
coinmodations on the elegant little steamer
LttHs HocS, commanded by Capt. GERE, with
those two very accomplished and pleasant
gentlemen, CONRAD and SMITH. in the Clerks
office, And in the Stewards department the
Little Rock is hard to be beat.
AT Spadra, we took aboard Col. j. Z. CRAY
EMS OF Clarksville, also, member of the Con
gressional Committee of the Third District
We arrived at Little Rock filled with due
sense OF the Importance OF our mission, and
chalked ourself up at the Metropolitan Hotel
concluding, through our undisguised con-
tempt for certain vigilant critics there, not to
prefix" Hon." or "Col." or other title what
ever to our not very high-sounding or sug-
gestlve patronymic. Waiting in our room,
an hour or two after our arrival, for calls or
cards of distinguished citizens who might call
on US, and not being disturbed in that way.
we went down upon the street, to let it be
more distinctly and generally known that we
had arrived. We were not gone twenty min
utes, when, 10, on our return we found an ac-
out" etc. We were much chagrined, until
told that the cards, according to Little Rock
custom, had been left with the Clerk Of the
hotel, not to be sent up while we were in our
room but at the first moment we should go
out. Very convenient for visitors certainly,
and sometimes not unpleasant to the risited.
And right here, we wish to commend the
Metropolitan to the travelling public, as wor-
thy of support. The day and night clerks
are superior and courteous gentlemen, and
spare no pains to make all feel at home.
We found number of our friends waiting
for US however on the street and in the bill
Hard room, occupying their time as best they
might until we came down. In many other
respects we found the ancient capital of all
| the Arkansas putting on city airs. A cool
country breeze would have been very well
come could it have been admitted into COM
panionship. But we seemed to be the only
thing from the country to be seen and, as we
determined, also, before we left to be felt
Friday was a scorcher, Farenhet 1920, and
the Litt!e Rock was hot enough for scalding
purposes. Saturday and Sunday were decd
edly sunny days. On Monday the Conven-
ton of Committees assembled, Col GORDON
n. PEAY, Chairman of the State Central Com
mittee, being called to preside, which he did
with his usual dignity and urbanity. About
us we saw faces of many whose names are IA
miliar sounds, some destined to be historical.
1t will be needless to designate tor the bene-
tit OF those who will read the list OF delegates
present in the published proceedings. The
proceedings of the Convention or Conference
whichever it may be called, were conducted
with the dignity worthy of those present.
The sitting of the conference occupied the
time of Monday until late at night, and Tues
day until noon. The Committee Rooms are
conveniently situated in the new Dodge
Building, opposite Anthony House, front
rooms up stairs, neatly carpeted and furnish
ed. Here the Secretary OF the committee oc
cupies all his time, with the duties OF his po-
sition.
OFF FOR HOME.
At O'Clock the Little Rock, the same boat
upon which we went down, took her depart
ure for Van Buren, and intermediate points,
We turned our faces homeward. We were
glad. We felt relieved of tile burden of those
weighty responsibilities thrown by us at the
feet of Col. PEAY and Maj. PEEK. in the Com
mi nft h, 70, al
tee We had washed our hands. They were
not particularly in need of washing, but we
washed them. We washed them of the guilt
Of any rupture in the party, by having advo-
Gated the holding a convention in October
next We had stood by Col CRAvENs, who
batted herocally fora convention. We have
both washed our hands. We would have
washed ourselves all over, but to do so, with
good results, determined to wait until we
could do SO in our own streams.
On our good steamboat we found several
digntaries. State and Federal-and some pri-
vate citizens. The clever Bob Champion and
Col. Jord. Cravens. were on their way home,
Col. Harrell of Little Rock making trip to
the mountains, the Rev. Mr. Sample Of Fort
Smith got on at Norristown on his way home.
Judge Lafayette Gregg and Col. Lieut.. Gov!
Secretary ofState. DR. johnson were also pas
sengers taking their way to their respective
homes. in Washington and Madison, for re-
spite from odorous public duties.
Hon. Logan II. Roots, U. 5. Marshal for the
Western District of Arkansas, an urbane and
energetic officer and very good fellow" al
though a republican, was on his way to his
Office at Fort Smith.
We found Capt. Ed. Blanks, the energetic
steamboat agent and prince Of good fellows.
at the Metropolitan. You find Ed the same
yesterday, to-day and next week.
Our good friends of the boat made us per-
fectly comfortable. CONRAD shall be duly
rewarded-hc shall marry forthwith one of
the sweetest girls in our community. We
will see to it TOO, that JULIUS Is not forgotten
in the deal