New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-08
ARKANSAS REVISITED.
ADAY LITTLE ROCK.

nature
lFRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUNEl
LITTLE Rock Ark.-It is seven years since lasV
saw the capital of Arkansas. Then it was big
village of unrealized expectations and ambition
good deal tempered by the hard facts OF It's slow
growth. In these seven years the place has devel-
oped steadily aud healthfuly, and 1t is now com
pact little city of 10000 Inhabitants. well built for
a Southern town, and with better prospects than
any other important business centre In the south-
west In the whole State of Arkansas state by
the way considerably larger than New York
it is the only place that could honestly
pass muster rs a city. II has superb situation on
a high bluff overlooking the broad, chocolate
colored flood of the Arkansas River. a rlch cotton
country in the river bottoms, and a good wheat
and cattle country in the rolling region westward
is tributary to it, and is nearly all the sparseiy
settled. heavily t;mbered region of Northern ana
Southern Arkansas Only in the eastern part OF the
State is the trade diverted to Memphis, by steamers
on the Mississippi the Arkansas tie White and the
ST Francis Rivers. As Arkansas grows, Llttle ROCK
is sure TO grow The state is still new, raw ana
half barbarous the dense forests which cover most
of its surface preventing rapid settlement;
but the time will come when there will be no more
vacant Western prairies to attract the pioneer and
the emigant seeking cheap land viii have 10 carve
his farm ont of the forest Just the early settlers
up until it supports at least two millions OF people
and then Little Rock will have a population OF at
least hundred thousand 1t is by no means an
upattractive place at present. The climate Is mid
In Winter and not excessively warm IN Summer
there are many handsome residences, and the pro-
fusion of roses seen in thedOoryards for SIX months
of the wear has given 1t the pretty name OF the
"Rosc City"
THE LAWMAKERS AND TIE GOVERNOR.
After getting rid of the dust OF a railway jour
new. and looking about the business streets a
little TO note the new Improvements, went TO the
shabby brown stucco and brick building occupied
Jointly by the State and county as a Capitol and
court house. The halls and starways are shock
inelv dirty. the walls are defaced with pencil IN
scrintiops the bricks of the lower floor are badly
worn and dislocated and the stuccO on the columns
of the Doric pOIticOs is fast losing Its grip. In
both legislative halls are Autographs OF Washing
ton. Lincoln and Grant, hung up during the days of
Republican rule, and suffered 10 remain because lhe
Democrats ashamed tOinteIfere with then IN the
Senate as looked in, tall gentleman was aSsalnhg
The Governor in q sarcastic speech Tor Gaining ont
tbe militia to suppress lawleSsness IN frontier
county. Ii recess IN the House, and some lue
members were appauding page for Initiating the
gestures aud manner Of speaking OF Fellow heplc-
sentative. The burlesqued gentleman came I'D JqSt
i'm time to see the close of the performance. lie
shook his cane at the boy, and threatened MN WI,
condicu puuishment Another member took the
little fellows part and for a time there was tree
and enlivenng exchange OF big oatns ana threats,
but the Speaker called the House 20 order,
and nothing came of the row. | called
up1n Governor Miller in hs Office in the state
House plain little room, IN the fur lSmngOi winch
the only noticeable thingis handsome carpet
good deal worn, doubt relic OF the eXtraNagant
carpet-bag era. The Governor is tall, gaunt man,
looking little ike Gustaye DoTcs pictures OF Don
QulXOte. lie Is well informed, sensible anu lbGIal
and mnst be popular for he was reelected last Fall
without opposition. He and his Leg stature DO not
get ca very harm0mOuSly, however lie wants
s..rlrn E IL
Ting with the creditors OF the state, ana
paving something in the way Of interest
on trc debt. whio they seem TO think II highly un-
patriotic to tax the people for the beneht OF lew
Eastern hOudhulders. Then they are clltlclSlhg
him sharply because he cal ed ont few companies
Of militia wear ago and put an end 10 coholtlon
Of outrageous lawles7ness and murder IN scott
County. Governor Nj Ter gave me cordial wei
come, aud drawing chairs ia front OF the Dig ire
place smoke Of my visit to Arkansas seven years
ago duriug the political vendetta IN one OF the west
crn counties known as the Pope County War We
were soon launched IN a conversation on state AZ
fairs. ...- A.. -. ti,,,
.'Wcll / could only make a guess. We've had no
enumeration since the Federal census OF 1870 lhat
gave ~ not quite halt q million. 1 thlnk we snall
have 100000 by 1850"
DO YOU get much immigration /"
=" No great amount, but u comes IN steadily. Our
pTaIue lands are nearly an taken up ana
the fue limbered country of the northwestern
counties begins 10 attract settlers \ few colonies
OF Germany have come IN lately. lhen our native
population increases rapidly, except, perhaps; the
Heg.oc,. ! doubt whether hey are increasing"
Ar. here any new railroad enterprises p
" Qu.tc "a number. a road Is under way IRON J0p-
I'm Mo. TO point on tie For5 Smith and Little
Rock Road, which, when completed, viii make
direct route from this city to Kansas CITY,
and viii be a very important line
The partially completed road from lie
lena 60 Litlle Rock viii soon he finished. a line
tween the White and ~. Francis Rivers Ihen
there a prospect ior q Inc from Little ROCK 10
Arkansas City, on the Mississippi, ana OF one from
that point across the southern COUNTIES to Ie1ar-
kama branch road from Camden TO the Iron
Mountain Road Is also to be built"
ARKANSAS has probably less railway mileage
State Except except Oregon. There are but
funr roads m operation within her borders. One
crosses the State dIagOnaily from the northeast
corner to the southwest corner; the second runs
east from Little Rock to Memphis, the third from
Lutte Rock to Fort Scott. and the fourth short
distance Oack from Helena There is certainly
need for more rOads.l .,
- How are your schools getting ouV
"Slowly Wehavethe foundation Of good system,
butitwill take time TO develop H. There Is state
fund 10 which we add for dist button to the
ties the proceeds of a small state tax. Then each
district can levy local tax OF nYe mills IL III de-
'sires. | believe a majority OF the districts now
levy this tax"
ARKANSAS DISORDERED FINANCES.
"Your state finances are in bad condition, !
learn You pay no interest on your debt"
"No; not on our old de3t." by the old debt"
the Governor meant the entire debt save about
$500 900 borrowed TO make up the deficiencies and
Keep the Government running)
"What Is the bulk of the debtP
about 81, 900 900, of which about $4,000, 900
is indisputably valid. The balance. consisting of
railroad bonds, levee bonds and what Is known as
the Haford bonds, has been decided by the Supreme
Court TO be unconstitutional The Legislature now
talks OF putting an amendment upon the COnstl-
futon prohibiting TIE future payment OF any pOr-
tion of this repudiated debt" go 49,
ado YOU approve of this prOpositionW
"No: think it best to compromise with the
holders OF al the bonds, and allow something for