The Van Buren press., 1873-01-14


State by the suffrages Of my fellow-citi
zens, and declared duly sad constitu
tionally elected, am about TO take the
oath Of Office. according to the require
ments of law, preparatory to the dis
charge of the duties that will devolvs
upon me.
In accepting this high trust from my
citizens. ! most cordially tender
them my hearty and sincere thanks for
the distinguished honor which they have
conferred upon me, and indulge the
hope that tbs administration to which
am called will mark the commencement
OF new era of peace and good feeling
in the history of Arkansas 1t will be
my constant endeavor, in the conduc,
and management Of the affairs Of State,
to restore friendly and harmonious rela-
tons among the whole people, stimulate
and promote industry and extend aid
and encouragement to all enterprises tina,
tend to the development of the rich and
varied resources of our hitherto unfortu.
nate and much neglected State. The bit
terness and animosities cngendered by
party strife have arrayed many Of ouI
best citizens in hostility to each other,
retarded our growth and progress, and
prevented us from keeping pace with the
other States of the Union less favored
with natural advantages than our own.
Let us, one and all, unite our official and
individual efforts for the common good
and exert combined influence that will
Danish existing partisan prejudises from
our midst, and thereby relieve Arkansas
of one OF the worst evils with which she
has ever been afflicted
The dsfranchisement Of certain class.
es for participation in tho rebellion 10 a
great impediment in the way OF restoring
lraternal feeling among ,he people, and
am gratified to know that there is a
general disposition manifested to relieve
the people in this respect lts needless
for me to say that earnestly desire the
immediate enfranchisement of those PEI
sons who are now denied a voice in the
selection of their rulers. From the pres
ent indications, it is safe to presume that
before another general election shall be
held, this last vestige ofthe late civil wal
will have been completely oblterated.
Much OF the trouble and discomfort
existing within our borders are attribu-
table to the selfish schemes and ambi
tious projects cffanatics and demagogues
who have not scrupled to imperil the
best interests Of the State in order to &C.
complsh their own aggrandizement. To
avoid such characters and discountcnalcs
their wicked designs will be my first OBJ
jest 1t is my intention and fixed de-
termination to confer the executive ap-
pointments upon honest, capable and SO
Der men, whose commendsbls deport,
ment shall constitute guaranty that they
will faithfully dshargc the duties of any
position in which they may be placed
with due regard for the rights OF the
people, irrespective Of party utilization.
Earnestly and devotedly attached to
the principles Of republican government
and its benedccnt institutions, it will be
my aim to execute the laws impsrtially
and with all the firmness that exact
justice shall demand, to the end that all
may enjoy full aud equal share of the
benefits Of the Constitution handed do wn
to us by the fathers of the Republic
Assuming shat will soon have an op-
portunity of communicating to you my
views in more elaborate and compre.
henslve manner, in the form OF a message
l will conclude by expressing the hope
that peace and prosperity, with all theii
aceom panying blessings, may prevail
throughout the State during the admin
istration upon which we are about to en-.
ter. | am now prepared to take the oath
of office
The oath Of Office was then admins
tered by ChiefJustice Mcclure.
SENATE.
The Senate on reaching its own cham.
Der was called TO order by the President
The roll was Gale ] and quorum found
present.
The Senate proceeded to canvass the
vote tor the balance Of the executive Of
6cers.
On motion Of Senator White, Of Phil
lips, the Senate took recess for one
hour.
REAsSEMBLING.
The Senate met at the appointed time
and was called to order by the Presiden,
pro tenn.
The roll was called, and a quorum
found present ani
On motion, the Senate proceeded to
canvass the vote for officers Of the eyecu.
tive department, excepting governor.
The following was the vote. as cast
the candidate having the highest vote in
each case being declared elected:
1IkUTENANT.G0yEKNoR.
V. " smith, il.09O
ID. j. Smith, 39O35
SECRETARY OF STATE.
J. NJ. Johnson, 4l,723
4 A. Fulton, 3l,2l3
AUDITOR.
S. Wheeler. 4O,OO9