The Van Buren press., 1874-12-08
Special Message Of the Governor.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE

To THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE
SENATE
Gentlemen! With this beg leave to
submit very interesting report Of Ar.
mold Syberg, state geologst, touching
the affairs of his department. The report
contains many valuable suggestions, and
l trust they will receive the careful atten.
tion of the legislature. Matters ofinter.
est are discussed in this report, which
come directly under consideration in con
nection with article 10 of the constitution
in reference to agriculture, mining and
manufacture. The first section of that
article makes it obligatory upon the leg
islature to pass such laws as'will fostes
and aid the agricultural, mining and man,
ufacturing interests of the state, and give
the legislature power to create bureau
to be known as the mining, manufacture
ing and agricultural bureau. In the
minds Of the trainers of the constitution,
these several interests were 50 intimately
united and interviewer, there was nc
cessity for having one Office or agency
to embrace all Of them.
Following 50 closely upon the obliga-
tory clause Of that section as does this
one giving the power to the legislature
to create such bureau, it may well be
concluded the members ofthe convention
thought there was q necessity for such a
bureau am fully persuaded there
should be such bureau created. To
discuss, at this late day, tie advantages
Of fostering these interests, and systema-
tizng the same, would be waste of
time. Upon the subject of agriculture
and mining, the report of Mr.. Syberg is
fun and complete.
With this | submit also paper recent
ly addressed to me, by a very active and
intelligent gentleman, who has spent
much time and large means in the bus-
ness of mining in our state, G A. Meyer,
Of Spadra, Ark. This letter gives de
tailed statement Of his operations in min
ing coal, with the cost and expense. With
this address is DDalso statement of the
relative price of coal in our state, with
coal from otner sections in the markets.
This branch of the subject cannot be bet
ter presented than is done by Mr. Meyer.
and | hope his address will be well con
sdered by the legislature.
in reference to manufactures, | will
merely say, that while an idea Of opposi-
ton between the interest Of agriculture
and manufactures prevails in the early
periods of every country, yet time shows
this to be an error; and experience has
demonstrated everywhere that the az
gregate prosperity of manufactures and
the aggregate prosperity Of agriculture
are intimately connected. The pros
perty of manufactures materially aids
and keeps up the wealth, independence
and security OF a state, and each state
should strive to have within itself what.
ever may be considered necessary part
Of supply, to meet not only ordinary de
mands but contingencies as far rs may
be, that often arise and require immedi
ate and severer actions The elements
that make up this supply are habitation.
clothing, means of subsistence and de
fence
These ideas are now aceprtion of the
reading on " tuhject, and
were at very cac heavens swS,atcd by
the fathers of our law
makers of that day as they gilenbort them
in brief, that they h, s'lhe hands
of the legislature prac expression
and illustration in our state.
As an important adjunct of these sub
jccts is the matter of immigration dis
cusscd by Mr. Syhers and considered
also by Mr.. Meycr in his address. On
this subject will call attention also to
the report Of Mr. Smithee. commissioner
of immigration and state lands, recently
sent to the legislature That we must
have immigration to our state all admit,
and am wiling to sanction any reason
able expense to meet this necessity This
subject is now claiming the earnest at
tention of all our sister states in the
south, and they are pressing every cner
gy to secure in their borders class of
to develop their resources
and build up their fortunes. 1t is essen
tial that we should do the same
In my opinion, these several interests
can be placed under the control and man
agement of the Office Of commissioner of
and state lands; creating
the subdivisions of agriculture, mining
and manufactures, with clerks or heads
to control them, subject to the superin-
tendence Of such commissioner, and allow
bin to appoint an agent or agents of i'm
migration at such places as will accom-
plish the object in view In the address
of Mr. Meyer there are figures Of expens
es on this point well worth attention. 1t
has occurred to me, after very careful
study, this would be the best course, it
is more simple and less expensive than
to create a new department entirely; and
besides, this gives us to some extent a
plan already in existence and operating.
To carry into effect the suggestions
now presented, will of course nccrsstale
some outlays of money, but do not be-
leve the outlays will bear any proper
ton to the benefits we are to realize from
such system. From my view of the
whole subject, can but regard this as. an
" important organ Of political life and
motion" And though we may not now
complete the system, and in fact may not
for some time, yet we should begin, and
that without delay. to bring into actual
use all these agencies that surround us
in such profusion. Very respectfully,
A. Ii. GARLAND,
Governor
~zs- Han, lntL t,o husv littlo nio i'm