The Russellville Democrat., 1880-06-10
mr. .. P. Byers, Circular Letter.

Mr.J. F. Byers' Circular Letter. That our readers may sec what man ner of Congressman Mir. Byers prom lses to be, we publish his circular in full, as follows;
 To the Voters of the Third Congressional Dis trlct ofArkansas:
 take this method of announcing my self candidate for Representative in the 47th Congress of the United States. subject to the action of the district democratic nominating convention | Owing to the size of the district will be unable to visit some portions of it before the convention is held. and therefore think it proper, in this cir- cular, to give my views of some politi- cal measures that should receive the attention of Congress, l am opposed | to further contraction of the currency of any restriction in the coinage of money-and favor the abolition of the present national banking system, and oppose further bonding of the national indebtedness.
 The agricultural interests of our State should be encouraged In every way possible, I am, therefore. in favor Of the repeal of all laws restricting the sale or retarding the culture of tobacco. One years residence, instead of f1ve, should sntitle the actual homesteader on government land a patent therefor, and the law should be changed accord- ingiy The present homestead law re- quires five weeks notice to be given, in a newspaper of intention to make final I sr- A. ftnxx l,x l the homesteader before he can per 1 feet his claim to his homestead. This | is an unnecessary and expensive re- quirement of the homesteader, and the | law, in this respect, should be repealed. I favor reducing the price of govern ment lands, as follows: on double Il minimum lands, from 2.50 per acre to 50 cents per acre; minimum lands, from | l.25 per acre to p cents per acre. l favor a territorial government for the Indian Nation. l am opposed to the en- croachments of the federal courts in reference to state matters, and there fore favor the passage of an act res trieting their power and jurisdiction. l also favor thorough revision of the tariff laws; am in favor of tariff on I the luxuries of life, and none on the ] necessaries. Such articles as salt, iron, cotton and wooden goods should be iln- ported free; they are of daily necessity to the people. The people of this coun- try do not want a protective tariff, but one that will raise sufficient revenues. Protection of the manufacturer is the slogan of the eastern capitalists, and the radical party. It is fostered by the monied men of the country, and is the bans of the agricultural and laboring people. By it the rich grow richer, and the poor poorer. The consumer foots the bill of the wealthy manufac- turers, and he and his children are virtually the slaves of the money oli- garchy of this republic. Free trade, state rights, and full equality before the law, is the watch-word and motto of the democracy, and under this glo- rious banner serve
 As 1 am unacquainted in portions ot the district, trust will not be con- sidered immsdsst in appsnding hereto editorials written by gentlemen who know me, and have known me from my
 J. F. BYEns.
 WHAT THE PAPERS SAY:
 From Van Buren Press
 JOSEPH P. BYERs-The gentleman whose name heads this article, was in town during the early part of this week, and from him we learn that he will make thorough canvass of this district for congress. And as he having been raissd in this county, if not a native, it will not be out of place at this time, to partially review,his ca- the canvass a warm one, there can be no doubt. He Is gifted with untiring energy, and may be we'll called self made man as he has raised himself from the humble position of a' farm boy to prominence in the legal pro- fessiou. He edueaed himself, princi- pally by studying at night after his days labor was done. and at the age of sixteen was licensed to teach school, as a first-grade teacher and taught for several years to obtain the money with which to educate himself as lawyer, and in his twenty-first year graduated with high honors in the Lebanon, Tenn, law-school. In a few weeks after his return from school he was elected superintendent of public in- struction for Crawford county over 1 other popular candidates. He was elected prosecuting attorney for 1877. for the fifth judicial circuit, composed of seven counties, when he was oppos- ed by two of the most able lawyers of the district. and in 1876 was again elec- ted to the same position which he ably filled till 1878. Since he went out of office he has received an extensive law practice throughout his circuit, and is doubtless better acquainted with the people of this circuit than any man in it, and will undoubtedly get good vote in that section of country. He al- so served two years as prosecuting at torney for all the counties now com posing the 12th circuit except Scott, and being we'll acquainted. will get a good vote in this circuit. Mir. Byers is endowed with many qualifications for the well-filling of this position, and should the electors so decree it, the third district will be well represented in congress.
 Ozark Democrat: Mir. J. P. Byers is a candidate for congress in this dis trict, subject to the action of demo- cratic convention. It is but simple justice to him to say that by the dint of his own personal effort he has at tained to an eminerfce in the practice of law that few young men in the state have reached. He has a consider able fund of information, is fluent speaker, and is possessed Of indomIta- bic energy. His aspirations are lauda- bla piye him sueh con sid a,otion as his