The Van Buren press., 1877-10-09
THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE!
Letter from Hon. R. K. Garland.



EplroR GAZETTE ! have read with
much interest the terms for negotiation
Of our State-debt, rs proposed by John
D. Adams and J, T.. Redtield, and condi-
tonaly accepted by the Finance Board.
From fair and impartial consideration
Of the subject, the plan appears to be
both feasible and crcditable to the State
and her creditors.
1t is acknowledged that 100000 is
the undisputod debt of the State.
For this amount in new bonds, the hol-
dcrs Of the inst bonds propose to deliv-
err to the State all evidences Of her en-
tire indebtedness prior to l87i-savc the
bonds held by the United States Govern
ment. This, it seems, accomplishcs the
main object held in view by those Of our
friends who advocated reputation, while
the act Of Reputation, with its bad con
sequences and unsatisfactory results, is
obviated.
Surely, no one who seriously consid-
ers the subject, would advocate repudi-
alton of any portion of the debt if n
more satisfactory-not to say honorable
way were shown for settlement.
There is nothing more repugnant to
the people of Government than the
payment of taxes. There is nothing
so repugnant 70 the people of a free Gov
eminent as the payment of onerous and
unjust burdens, One appealing to their
passions, on the hustings, would have
little difficulty in persuading them that
it is not dishonorable to refuse the pay
ment of debt imposed without due au-
thority. Yet the same arguments used
to Justify the reputation of the fraudu-
lent pet-bag debt OF the State, ought
long since to have invalidated the Con-
stitution imposed upon the State by the
carpet baggers and their allies, in 1868,
as we'll as all acts of their Legislatures
held under it. 1t is fact not to be de-
MED that the Constitution was defeated
by the popular vote of the State as east
in strict conformity to the laws of Con
gress made to regulate the election. 1t
is fact not to be disputed, too, that in
every Legislature, held under this Con-
stitution, were members holding certiti-
Gates of election, obtained under the
most glaring frauds that were ever per-
petrated. All efforts to unseat them were
unavaling, under the forms Of law. No
tribunal, State or Federal, ever invalida-
ted any of their many acts passed touch
ing the property, liberty and lives of our
citizens. Hard, and oppressive, and un-
Just, as many Of them seemed to be, they
regulated the course of courts and law
yers in all litigation, and though n new
Constituton--the voluntary act of the
people--has been adopted, the decisions
under these oppressive and fraudulent
laws are not disturbed. Those who are
slow to advocate Reputation of any
portion of the Stato-debt are influenced
by Il consideration Of the fact that an act
of reputation, whether by the Legisla
ture or State Courts, is never a satsacto-
ry and permanent settlement. The qucs
ton may sleep for while, but sooner or
later it is revived, furnishinga theme for
disturbing the quiet of the Common
wealth, and rctarding its advancement
The history of the Holford bonds in our
State furnishes ample proof OF this.
1t is at all times difficult to determine
in how far n principal is responsible for
the acts or hts agent. sometimes an act
of an agent may seem unauthorized,
when it is evident that the principal has
derived some benefit from it. This
serves to cmbarass the question and to
render the propricty of reputation very
doubtful.
A distinguished journalist in one of
the Northwestern papers, in one issue OF
| his paper, advocates an unconditional re-
pudiation by our State OF the entire debt
or debt imposed by the " carpet-bag y
government. In the same issue Of his
paper, under the head of Editorial Dots,
occurs tho following remarkable pass
age: " The holders Of the repudiated
Georgia bonds proposeto sue for heirpoy.
ment, in the United States Courts.'
Does any citizen of Arkansas, for 4
moment. doubt what would be the result
of an appeal to one of the United States
Courts by loyaP' citizens of one of the
Northern States, holding bonds against
the State of Arkan.as ? Does he believe
the case would receive an impartial trial
upon its true Notwithstanding to law
and iustice-stripped OF all prejudice OF
party inclinations? If so, he has only tc
remember the course OF the Electora
Joint Commission and the eyer memora
BILE "S to T."
After fair consideration, it seems that
no settlement would serve the interest,
of our State which falls short of II can
ceiling of the disputed bonds. This plar
accomplishcs that object, and leaves none
but the acknowledged just debt to be
paid. When we come to consider. too
that the proposition to deliver the dispu
ted bonds to the State free OF additional
cost is the proposition Of the holders OF
the Just bonds, certainly there is no jus
; titication left for reputation and il
would seem that the proposed plan OF
adjustment should recommend itself tc
the approval of our people. These
thoughts arc respectfully submitted iol
the consideration of your readers Very
respectfully, r. X. GARLAND.
The Arkansas City Post of the Goth i:
strongly opposed to population, and ia
vors the policy of the Finance Board, at
follows