The Van Buren press., 1875-12-07
FROM THE CAPITOL.
SENATE CHAMBER

y I
;, TITLE Rock ARK, Nov 18th, 1857
IL. s. DURHAM
Dear Sir: Our legislative labors, here will
terminate on the 10th proximo. so we have
resolved. both houses concurring. or course
we will leave a large mass Of unfinished busi
ness on our tables particularly on the table OF
the House of Representatives, which being a
more numerous body than the Senate, dispose
of business Il little less expeditionsly, We
j have, however, passed the most important
bills, especially those looking to an improve
ment of our finances, and restoration ofthe
credit of the State, and we are daily acting
upon other measures deemed important, and
which we think will, II passed into laws, be
beneficial to our people.
| Early in the session committee was raised
on my motion to inquire into the necessity OF
remodeling reforming. and correcting the
laws of last session, entitled An act to es-
tablish fees" The rate Of fees established by
that act, iii believed. was, In many instances
reduced below fair remuneration for official
| services. For many years previous to this
meeting of the General Assembly in Novem-
Der 1874, many of the offices, clerks, sheritls,
&c, were filled by persons either strangers to
our people or not in sympathy with them,
who were often guilty of abuses in office.
among which were exorbitant and cxtortion-
ate charges for services. real or pretended, it
is not to be wondered at that the Legislature,
in an honest effort to correct these abuses and
to cheaper the administrations of justice, in
the intercs. of the people, should have gone
little too far in the direction of economy.
| The committee who have had this matter of
ices, under consideration. have reported bill
which think will pass into a law. 1t increa-
ses the fees somewhat, and approximates the
law of Gould's Digest. 1t IS in my opinion.
decided improvement on the law OF last
session. and ought to be alike acceptable to
the people and Office holders.
| We had an earnest and animated discussion
In the Senate, yesterday, on a bill. ostensibly
to prevent unjust discrimination in the trans
portation of freight on railroads. But
whether intended rs unfriendly legislation or
not, i. seemed to me and others. that it would
be regarded as hostile legislation and we
thought it inexpedient to legislate upon the
subject at all, at this time For the last twen-
ty years. we have been advocating, most per-
sistently. tho building Of railroads in Arkan-
sas Some have been built, and Others are
being built; and ALL so far as | am advised
with capital from abroad. AS yet, they are
not paying enterprises and any legislation. AT
this time calculated to discourage, einbarass
or cripple them in their operations, Can only
be attended with injurious consequences
just now the prospect is fine for large emf
grafton TO the State, within the next twelve
months, and an influx of capital consequent
upon the settlement of our political troubles
is confidently predicted. Our mild and geni-
al climate; our rich and abundant agrcutu-
raj resources, and our untold mineral wealth
are attracting the attention Of capitalists ant
emigrants, in almost every part of the Unitee
States. We ought, therefore, to be very cau'
tous, and do nothing, and say nothing, espee-
tally in the shape of legislative enactments
tat are calculated to repress or discourage
this tendency of things.
Our visit to the Hot Springs was pleasant
affair. We were handsomely entertained, ant
indeed Jared sumptuously. Both the people
ofthe Springs and their guests seemed pleased
and gratificd with the visit.
Very trulr-
JESSE TURNER.