The Van Buren press., 1879-01-14

Lands and of the abolition the present time, Of the
of Lands The Of reduction
of offices and salaries, which the Constitutional Convention Of
1874 in good faith undertook out to the utmost
tent compatible with efficiency the public service has BY
been improved 7" degree which
Judgment for the exercise Of craftsmanship in
the same direction 1t i that government be
conducted altogether without officers and that instances will
in which competent will require for their services
compensation in the Of adequate salary 20 that in
case the limit ueous be eventually reached
compelled with the Board Of Finance, in think
inc that that limit has already been obtained
recommendations in matters Of detail presented
bv the Auditor deserving your careful notice you
ferred to his Report.
PUBLIC CONTRACTS.
The provisions entitled IAN Act regulate the let
ting Of Public Contracts, approved November 2Sth 1885,
and the mendatory thereof approved March 10TH 1871
complied with by the Board Of Contracts, far
possible In May 1877 let for the term end
ING December 3st 1873 for printing and binding to Adams
Blocher: stationery, j. f. Reardon and for fuel
Zeb Ward for coal and Gaines Woodsma for wood; these
being the bidders During the month Of September
1878 for the beginning January
1879 ending 1880, for printing and
binding W. d. Blocher; for stationery to j. E. Reardon
and for fuel to W. Woodruff J Bids for printing
binding made bv j. y. Smithee CO.. w. D. Blocher,
and A. H. Sewer. J. ~ Smhee, Of the firm Of j. n
Smithee Co.. being State officer at the time the bids
made and the time the be awarded
the question raised his right consistently with the
provisions of Art xv Sec l9 the Constitution bid
interested in such The question
ferred the Attorney General who decided against Mr.
Smthees right Of the Smhee Co Is
bids were, therefore, considered by the Board
The law is expensive and difficult
for apdnaa dment maxi fixed
printing binding should be reduced and the Board should
be given authority reject all bids considered high As
lit is the Board has discretion matter what the
figures may be, that they within the maximum fixed by
law For further information upon this subject you
respectfully referred the proceedings Of the Board file
with the Auditor its Secretary
ATTORNEY GENERALS REPORT.
The recommendations presented in the Report Of the
lney General are entitled to your careful attention
LAND CASES II PULASKI cHANCERY COURT.
As the law stands the great body Of suits brought in
the Pulaski Chancery Court the rights Of the
lands practically suspended The Court
is ousted Of jurisdiction while the defendants within whose
sole option the transfer Of the competent tribunal,
lies naturally enough decline to in the matter Ap
propriate legislation is obviously required.
REAL ESTATE BANK LANDS AND MORTGAGES.
The Attorney General urges the repeal Of 'Act regu
late the sale Of lands belonging the State in
approved December -, 1873. securing certain privileges
to the Of equities of redemption Of real estate bank
lands. He has had large experience of the practical
ngs Of this law; and his opinion the subject entitled
great weight the made would
suggest the lieu Of the present Of pro-
visions which, while unjust oppressive the hol
der Of these equities better preserve the rights and
terests Of the State in the premises
also merits your consideration Under the operation Of the
act of January 23d lS75 constituting felony
Of stealing property exceeding the Of Of
before the number Of eonvct the Penenay theft
at first rapidly increased Of late, the number has become
considerably diminished Whether reduction the
result Of public morals resulting the
rigid enforcement of the referred to- whether
on the contrary, apparent dispropoon Of the penalty
the magnitude Of the oense, has worked Iaxy the
cution Of the law presents proper subject Of inquiry is
thought that the effect Of the by compelling
the prolonged Imprisonment Of petty offenders the ja,
to await trial before the Circuit Courts has
rather than diminish the expenses of such the
counties The Attorney General proposes that the
value Of stolen property constitute the crime Of
grand larceny, be increased from dollars.
MEMPHIS LITTLE ROCK RAILROAD COMPANY
The Of the State Of ArkunSas plaintiff against The
Memphis and Little Rock Railroad Company al defendants,
for the foreclosure Of mortgage executed by the company
in 1861 loan from the State is great
involving does, Of $lsOOO0. The bill
closure vigorously resisted and in view Of the magnitude Of
the controversy, have, the Attorney Generals
quest taken the responsibility Of employing the Hon f. W.
Compton, to assist in the prosecution Of the suit.
LANDED INTERESTS OF THE STATE
The report Of the Commissioner Of State Lands full and
comprehensive The abor Of that officer, who found his de-
prtmen condition Of inescrbabe confusion and has left
well organized and arranged believe possible after
the under the present
imperfect legislation subject deserves com
mandatory notic
Inc number Of amendments which his experience has g
ses'ed % existing indicates the necessity thorough
Of the Land Laws. cannot f,lI,- .ana,.