The Osceola times., 1883-01-20
Arhansayy Legislature.

we might stew and boil it down.
Those members who went pledged
to the antics, were very previous in
introducing their little bills for the
repeal Of the three mile law. The
fight over this law promises to be a
lively one. We hope wise counsel
will prevail, and the body will go
slow, very slow in repeating this law.
A law compelling its strict enforce
ment by the officers, with forfeit
ure Of his Office as penalty for dire
liction of duty, would be more to the
point.
Gov. James II. Berry took the the
oath of Office and was duly hitched
in the gubernatorial harness lately
worn by the "war horse" on the 9th
In his inaugural address he devotes
much space to the disputed debt Of
of the state, s13,000,000 in bonds;
says if the people don't owe this mo-
ney, no tax should be imposed on
them to pay it, and no dishonor can
attach TO them for refusing to pay
unjust claims; counsels that the en-
tire matter be withd avn from the
general assembly, and submitted to
the people, and urges the submission
at the next general election Of con-
stitutional amendment forever pro-
hibiting the levy of tax to pay any
Of the railroad aid, or levee, or Hol-
ford bonds, or any claim, or pretend
ed claim on which they are based.
He also urges the consolidation of
state and congressional elections.
His views on the subjects of immi-
grafton, education, taxing railroads,
freedom of the ballot, &C., are sonnd
and have the ring of a true policy.
Gov. CHURCHuLL's MESSAGE
occupies over six columns space in
the Gazette, and is above the average
in point of interest; yet, a plain
straight forward document. Com
menting upon it the Gazette says;
The most noticeable feature-the
only one to which the crowded con-
dition of our columns enables us to
call attention to-day--is that relating
TO the state finances. He says the
financial condition of the state is bet
ter than at any time within twenty
years, and devotes considerable at
tenlion to the question Of the out
standing Indebtedness. 1t is his be-
lief, and he suggests that commits
sion should be appointed to investi-
gate and report on the whole subject.
That all classes desire an honorable,
equitable settlement of the debt he
is confident, the one point Of differ
ence being as to the sum, if any, due
in honor and equity to the holders of
bonds, 1t is correctly held by Gov.
Churchill that no portion of the rail-
road aid bonds constitute a claim on
the state, but that on the contrary,
the railroads alone are liable. How
ever, he thinks the state owes it to
the innocent purchasers of these
bonds that every effort be made to
compel compliance by the railroads
with the original contract, by levy
ing a tax sufficient to meet the an
nual interest, and eventually the
principal of the bonds, irrespective
of the question whether the law un-
der which they were issued was con-
stitutional.
Throughout, in treating this ques-
ton, the governor takes high ground
in favor of paying every just debt,
while opposed to paying any the peo-
pie do not owe. 1t is evident that
he has devoted much attention to
this matter, uttering nothing except
after careful deliberation, and devel-
oping in every sentence sound con-
servativism that cannot fail to most
favorably impress even those who
may not approve all his views and
suggestions.
To all Of which the TIMES concur,
yet, if we were permitted to take is
sue with the Ex-Gov.'s views, hold
ing as he does, the opinion that the
state is not liable for any portion of
the railroad bonds, we should object
to the states interfering or in any
manner undertake to compel the rail-
roads to pay the bond holders. 1t is
either her fight. or it is somebody
else's. Many man has received a
black-eye by taking stock in other
mems fight; so it might be with TIE
state. If she doesn't owe these
claims, let her say she does not, and
wont pay them. If she does owe
them or any part Of them, she can't
afford to shirk her obligations; let
her make arrangements to meet her
liahilit;as and discharoa them ns soon