The Van Buren press., 1871-09-26
Crawford County Convention.
A GRAND RALLY!

Pursuant to the call of the Democratic
Central Committee of Craw ford County. quite
large number of citizens assemhledain con-
vention at the Court House, last Saturday.
The Van Buren, Brass Band was In attendance
by special request and discoursed most excel
lent music. A large number was in attend
ance Of all shades of political opinions.
The meeting was organized by election OF
Col. NJ. +. LOCKE to the Chair and w. j.
ALEXANDER, Secretary. Gran. Wilcox, Esq.
WAS called upon by the chairman to explain
the object Of the meeting, which he proceed
ed to do in speech of unusual frankncss and
of marked ability. The people need frank
and truthful statements in relation to the
present condition of affairs, clear views as to
what they should do, and how they can most
effectually organize to accomplish much
needed reforms. 1t was shown that the pres
ent poverty Of the country is a direct result
of high taxation. The reason that honest
hard-larboring men were, in spite of their
economy, penniless, was because the Taxes
rated from 3ls to 4 per cent upon everything
they possessed. Such taxation must be ruin
Gus, from the fact that neither Crawford Co..
nor any other county in the State made as
much as per cent nett, on capitai invested
The proceeds of this enormous taxation Is
50 notoriously squandered that othclais
shamelessly boasted, all over the country ol
the thousands they made by their oillces. Re-
trenchment in salaries. and the placing ol
honest men in Office was shown to be the on
ly way of escape from still greater poverty
The interest of every citizen alike was touch
ed i'm this matter. The laborer could not ge
his wages promptly because his employer
was kept poor-the employer could not rlS'
above pov erty because he is taxed more thar
his nett returns-throw aside then all party
differences and unite upon new men ana mei
upon whose integrity the people can rely
The way proposed to unite the strength OF al
persons in the accomplishments of reforms
was to have committees in each township
who will take down the names of all voters
resident therein, ascertain the ticket eacf
voter will be likely to cast, and in this way a
knowledge of the strength OF the Democrat
ic or Reform party will be well known in
our own county, and thus all over the State
The duty of the hour is plain, and If every
voter, the old as well as the young who is
opposed to the financial ruin of his State, for
ever, will 60 to the polls and vote for good
men TebtIultss VI pdltN idshlHS, WV iSSui.
cannot he doubtful there will be return OF
better DAYS; but if on the other hand. good
citizens keep away from the polls, as large
numbers have heretofore done, then all ex-
cept the knaves who fatten upon our sub
stance will become involved in that most OF
all political evils, a financial tyranncy.
Hon. Ii. F. Thomson was called upon and
responded in his usual happy style. He call
ed the attention of those present TO tue Iaci
that the 3is and 4 per cent direct taxes paiu
to the collector in green-backs was very
small part Of their actual taxes. The Intern
al Revenue Tax was at work-its stamp has
to be found upon every article in housenoiu
or upon farm. Many in his presence had
lived in Arkansas for more than thirty years
and he appealed to them to know il during
this long period they had ever found money
so scarce-why should it be so? There is on
ly one answer and that is the people are be-
ing almost hopelessly ground to the depths
of poverty bv high taXation-and where DO
these taxes 90? Office holders, strangers 4
few years ago to our State. without money
and without habitation, were now wealthy In
our midst. Millions had been given ostensi-
bly, for railroads, but the roads were not yet
built Thousands were giien to officials
who were of no use to the State The Hol-
ford bond swnele had taxed the State for
one million dollars. The militia had been
paid its thousands, and not only this but an
appropriation of over one hundred and fifty
thousand dollars had been made to pay for
the robberies committed bv that paid militia.
Many additional arguments illustrations, &c.
were given by the speakers. but enough has
been cited to show our fellow citizens who
could not he present the spirit which psIHad az
ed the meeting. and the objects Tor when the
next campaign will be waged.
After the speaking the Convention pro.
ceeded to the election of a County Central
Committee. which by motion, was reduced to
three members instead Of five, as heretofore.
G.. Wilcox. A. b. Howell, and DR.. W. Def
fcbaugh, were duly elected to I'll the position.
After which the meeting adjourned sine die.
NJ F. LOCKE, Chairman.
w. j. ALEXANDER, Secretary.