The Van Buren press., 1874-02-10
Movement on the Works Of the Newly
Found Enemy.

the leaders Oft the Republican party. They
can now see the folly of past action and
predicted result of past legislation. Grant
refuses to longer continue Federal inter.
ference in local State affairs, and the wise
craftsmanship, that marked the conduct
Of the General government, in the Lou
isiana case, has suddenly turned to folly
in a similar case in Texas. A want OF
statesmanship and foresight, an utter de
fiance Of all the laws governing political
parties, a selr.mposed blindness to the
lessons of the past, has characterized
much of the legislation ofthe Republican
party-State and National
In our State, an immense debt has been
heaped upon the shoulders of the tax
payers, and its huge proportions arc be
comm { s-l.,s,ning to those who built it.
In their sStb sSStbinion, the panacea for all ills.
growing out of indebtedness, was an in
crease of Indebtedness. This led to an
unlimited issue of State Scrip and bonds
OF all sorts, pledgng or "loaning tho
credit" of the State. This scrip cir
culated around promscuously at the will
of those 70 whom it was offered, and the
laws Of financial gravitation finally took
most Of it to the political center, Little
Rock Obeying the laws of wealth, it
became stronger in inverse proportion
to its diffusion, and finally secured de-
clsion of the Supreme Conrt, making
State Scrip receivable for all State, Coun-
ty, Township and Municipal taxes, and
for salaries and fees of officers. We
have had occasion heretofore, to express
our views Of the soundness Of the de-
cision, making Scrip receivable for other
than State taxes, and care to say no more
on that subject, now. only declaring our
firm conviction that the decision can
never stand the test, if the provisions Of
the Federal Consultation are applied to
1t. AS to the decision, making Scrip re-
c"ivabIe or payable for all salaries and
fees Of County and State officers, We are
not so clear. If an individual chooses
to take an office and the salary and
perquisiles appertaining thereto, are no
toriously paid in Scrip, that fact is apart
Of the contract, and we do not clearly
see upon what ground the official can
complain. But the Republican office
holders Of Arkansas County, are squeal'
ing and indulge in terribly harsh Ian
guage in speaking of Scrip in general,
aud denounce the action Of their party in
causing its issue, as cheat, swindle
and fraud upon the rights OF The State. "
Perhaps it was, but We poor Democrats
could not help it. We wrote, spoke and
pleaded and prophesicd in vain. You
had the power and you both used and
abused it. And now what are you 60
ing to do about itY Arkansas county
says meet in State Convention at Little
Rock, beard the lion in his den take
the case to the Supreme Court OF the
United States. Why, gentlemen, you
went into ecstacies over the splendid
Constitution of 1868, and it positively
declares this "shall be payable for ell
salaries and fees, and per diem or other
compensation Of all State, County, Town
or other officers, within the State. v
Why have you not, lsng since, sent a
case to the Supreme Court aud tested the
validity of your beloved Constitution
We hope this funny idea of holding an
official general convention, will be fully
carried out. 1t is characteristic Of for
mer-day Republicans to fill up conyen.
tions with Office holders, but this is the
first time any of them have openly
avowed their intention TO have one so
composed.
We are forced to the convection. tha,
the days of honesty are at hand-and
our bowels Of compassion yearn in be
half Of the poor fellows who have here
toforc led the people by the nose, ground
them with taxes, while these pampered
leaders have revelled in ease and luxury