The Van Buren press., 1873-02-11
ARKANSAS LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE.
FEBRUARY 3, 1873.

FEBRUARY 3, 1873.
After the regular order Of opening,
reading the minutes, etc. and receiving
a message from the Senate, Mr.. Kent
sent the following motion to the clerks
desk:
Mr.. SPEAKER: move that a commit
tee of five be appointed to inquire into
the issuance of all bonds by the State, t.
whom issued, for what purpose, under
what circumstances, and 70 inquire
whether said bonds have been used in
compliance with 5,te att or acts author
,zing the issuance OF the same, said com
mittee to have fall power to administer
oaths and authority to send for persons
and papers, and to report by bill, or
otherwise, such action as will best pre-
serve the interests of the State,
Messrs. Latta and Mllen spoke in ia.
vor Of the motion.
Mr.. Copeland favored an examination
into all these matters, but was opposed
to so many special committees He
thought the matter should be referred to
some committee already appointed.
Mr.. White said the State had been sad
died with debt of about one million
dollars more than she owed. He hoped
the committee would be appointed
Mr.. Chapline said the appointment OF
this committee would interfere with the
duties Of the one, of which he was chair
man, to investigate the affairs of State
officers. They had already taken large
amount Of evidence, and were making a
thorough investigation.
Mr.. McGehee would vote for forty
committees to investigate the affairs OF
the State, in order that they might know
where every piece of scrip has gene, from
one dollar to ten thousand.
Mr. Warwick said there was a standing
committee on auditors and treasurer,s
accounts, and this SPECIAL committee
would conflict with the duties Of the for
mer committee.
Mr.. Kent said about a million Of dol
lars, disputed debt, had been assumed
by the State, which no committee was
authorized to investigate. The commit
tee he desired appointed would not III
terfsre with any other.
Mr.. Stewart was opposed to so many
special committees. lie thought tho
fewer committees appointed the better
work would be performed.
Mr.. Kingston did not see how any
great objections could be urged against
this committee He did not see that it
would conflict with any other. He wanted
the committee of Mr.. ChaplIne to pro-
ceed with their investigations, and make
a report as soon as possible. As repub-
lcans we have promised to make such
aud it is our duty to 80
to the bottom.
Mr. Toney Grissom favored the mo-
ton. 1t touched just exactly the per.
sons he was anxious to get at-these
If necessary he was in ia
vor of the House going into committee
OF the whole to investigate these matters.
Mr.. Strong hoped the motion would
be adopted. The cry Of fraud has been
raised throughout the State, and we
ought to show wi lingness TO inYesti-
gate these matters. There was SONS
thing the matter with at least some Of 'ho
railroads He wanted To know II they
did not have enough aid il they did why
they did not proceed with thsif work.
MIR. Fox said about eight and a half
million dollars hau been issued. l, is
hurled at us by our opponents that these
bonds have been iraudulcntly issued. 1t
is our duty to inquire into the matter Of
their issuance The levee bonds are
likely to become State Indebtedness
The corrupt manner in which these
bonds were issued the trampling of the
law under foot; the inability to sustain
the action of the commissioner, all this
should be investigated. The State will
have to shoulder these bonds and carry
them. We are told by the courts that it
10 q positive indebtedness. The com
mittee can do US no injury-it can only
facilitate Investigations
Mr. Thornburg said il it was the inten
ton of this committee to take the matters
of inquiry out of the hands Of commit
tees heretofore appointed, he would op
pose it.
Mr.. Kent said it was the intention OF
the motion to embrace every character
and class of bonds issued by the State
why they were issued, for what purposr
and to ascertain if they had been propee,
ly applied. The appointment Of such =
committee csvers the defects OF instruc
tions to other committees.
Mr.. Thrower moved to add the fol
low proviso to the motion: Provided,
that said committee shall examine any
witness suggested by any member Of the
House. This was afterwards With
drawn, and Mr. Kents melton adopted.
Mr.. Brown, of st. Francis, gave notice
OF bill granting the right to all incor-
porated towns and cities to collect their
own taxes.
Mr.. White offered a resolution instruct
ing the committee on railroads to report
back the resolution in regard to the con-
dition Of the Little Rock and Fort Smith
railroad. Lies over.
Mr.. Sarber moved to suspend the rules
and take up the memorial to Congress
asking the organization OF n territorial
government in the Indian country. Lost.
Adjourned.
SENATE.
February 8, 1873.
Senate bill repeating the Code of Prac-
tice was put on its final passage, and fail
A