The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1878-04-16
The Speaking Tuesday.

heretofore made, the aspirants for the
Governorship or the nomination of tue
Democratic Convention in July, address
sed the citizens of Van Buren, Tuesday
commencing at II o'clock, at Robinson
Hall. But few of the sovercigns Of the
county were out.
Daniel Michael was elected chairman,
of the meeting, and j. c. Bottom, Esq,
Secretary.
The chairman first introduced Hon. S.
Hughes, who addressed the meeting for
an hour, and, in presenting his claims for
| the nomination of Governor, said he was
willing to submit to the test Of compe-
teney, honesty and fidelity. He attack
ed Gov. Miler's official record, which he
conceived to be public property. He said
that the calling out Of the militia in
Scott, while the Legislature was in sess-
ion, was contrary to the constitution in
such cases provided. He stated his views
on the finance question. He was oppos
ed to a settlement of the State debt, ac
cording to the Adams Redfeld scheme.
AS to the IIolford bonds, they were con
ceved in sin and brought forth in mi.
guilty. The levee bonds are no part of
the State debt. IN regard, however, to
the validity of these bonds he was will
ing to abide the decision Of the courts.
Gen. Hughes is a fluent, ready speaker,
but he made weak and tameless speech,
creating no enthusiasm at all among the
crowd, of whom very few appeared to
be in sympathy with him.
Col Tom. Fletcher followed Gen.
Hughes. He was in favor of liberal
system of free schools. lie proposed a
now feature to the present school law.
This feature might be called communi-
ty law, framed in all its essential fea-
lures like the special law governing cit
les and towns. He claimed that it could
be added without conflicting with the
general school law. lie called attention
to the Importance Of fostering the man
uiacturlng interests, saying =" | can see
no good sense in the shipment to Arkan-
sas Of wagons, ak and hammcr-handles,
churns, wash-tubs, and such like articles,
when we have the best timber in the
United States out, of which these arti-
cles, when we have the best timber in the
United States out of which these arti-
cles should be manufactured in our State
| am in favor of immigration, without
which our varied resources can never be
developed. Our mining interests, also,
should be looked after lie proposed
to do all in his power to promote the
best interests of the people, if they saw
fit to elect him Governor Of Arkansas.
Col. Tom. made several happy thrusts at
the Governor, as well as Gen. Hughes,
charging the latter with being new
| convert in his opposition to the Adams
Redfold plan, and he could not, until he
thought there ps4s- aolitiool capitol 10
be made in opposing the plan, be indu-
ced to open his mouth.
Gov. Miller followed Col. Fletcher.
After n few humorous references to his
opponents, the Governor dwet at some
length Oh the finance question, and in
the course of his remarks said 81 am
in favor of getting rid Of our floating
debt as soon as we can but it would be
folly to attempt to do anything with our
bonded debt, but to let it severely alone
for the present. ] am as much opposed
to the States paying the railroad aid
bonds, the levee bonds, and the excess of
the Hoford bonds as my opponents
are" The Governor made very effcc-
tive and telling speech, and it was very
evident that the audience was with him
IN sentiment. He referred to the sever
al cross-opinions given by Gen. Hughes,
while Attorney,General of the State,
which placed him in very unenvable
light, which his after efforts at expIana-
ton will not much better. The Govern
or closed by adyerting to the charges of
Gen. Hughes, of violating the Constitu-
ton of the State in calling out the mill
tia, while the Legislature was in session,
denying, in toto, the charge, and challen-
glng the General to present an opinion
to the contrary, and said For calling
out the militia Of Scott County | have
no apology to offer, since il was done to
prevent bloodshed and preserve order"
The applause in the house, at this deca-
ration satisfied Gen. Hughes and his
friends that they would make no capital
against the Governor out ofthe Scott
county troubles. Taken all in all, it was
a tield-day for Governor Miller.
Hon. Robert W. Johnson agreeable to
appointment, addressed, at night, fine
audience, composed of ladies and gen
tlemcn. Mr.. Johnson is n candidate for
the United States Senate, and made this
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