The Russellville Democrat., 1883-01-25

or any claim or pretended claim, unf on whIcl, they are based. The con stitution provides that all property subject to taxation shall be taxed ac- cording to it's value, and that the value shall be uniform throughout the state. Under our present sys- tenn the railroad property practically escapes taxation; the total amount of state taxes on railroad property upon last years assessment, exclud- ling lands, being only twenty four hundred dollars. This is a violation of the principle stated in the consti- siution, and ought to be remeded. Every violation or evasion of the fundamental law under the pretense tha, greater good will enure thereby, will prove snare and delusion, and will work incalculable mischief.
 Some of these railroad corpora, tions, however, claim to be exempt from taxation by their charters. This claim should be thoroughly In- vestigated, and if proven to be not well founded, should be disregardcd.
 A revenue law that will compel assessors to assess all of the propct ty of the state at it's true value; that will impose upon railroad property it's just proportion of taxes, levied for the benefit of all; that will pre- vent tax dodging; that will require prompt collection and settlement by collectors and will make it impossi- ble for state officers to grant privi- Ieges and indulgences to collectors not authorized by law, will, It is be- lieved, enable us in short time to pay the expenses of the government without resorting to the issuance of state scrip, which has proven so dis astrous in the past, or borrowing money, which necessarily involves the payment of interest.
 Another question of supreme i'm portance is that of immigration. While all agree that every practical method within the compass of our means should be adopted to induce immigrants to settle in our midst, and invest capital for the develop ment of the resources of the state, there is diversity of opinion as to what are the most practicable and efficient means to bring it about. 1 This will doubtless engage your care ful attention. l am fully persuaded, however, that strlct enforcement of the criminal laws, practical assur- ance that each citizen will be pro- tected in his life, liberty and proper ty: that each one entitled under the law can without fear of molestation, cast an untramelled ballot, and that each who IS fairly elected will be in stalled in office regardless of his po- litical views, will do much towards attracting attention to our state. and to induce those seeking.homes to set tie within our borders. In conformi ty to the oath that shall take, will use every power conferred upon me to insure protection and justice to every citizen, aDd secure 10 him ey- cry right guaranteed by the cohsti- tuition and laws of the state. In this connection it may be well to suggest the propfiety ei changing the time of holding the general election, so that it may conform to that of elect ing members of congress. Such a change will insure full vote for all officers, relieve the people of the ex- citement and annoyance incident to second election, and largely reduce the expense of holding such cleo
 tions.
 You may expect from the chief ex- ecutive cordial cooperation in whatever means yen may adopt tending to the improvement and per lection of our system of free schools, the promotion Of the states educa- { tional facilities, and the fostering oi her institutions of learning. Not on ly the common schools, but the unl- versity at Fayetteville, the normal branch at Pine Bluff. the deaf mute and blind institutions, should re- ceive every encouragement, and such assistance as our financial resources will justify. It is to our interest, and should be our pride, to educate those unable to educate themselves and we should regard it sacred du- ty to provide the means for the edu. eaton of tfose who are so uniortun
 ate as to be deprived of the inesti- mahle blessings of sight and hearing The platform of the party recciv
 ing majority of the votes of the people at the late election promised a speedy enforcement of all demands due the state from every officer, per son, or body corporate. Whether ol not a valid claim exists against any officer or person Tn favor of the state is not question for the executive tc decide. But the interests of the state, and justice to public officials alike, impose upon every department of the government the duty oi faith fully complying with such promise , The duties of the attorney genera relating thereto should be defined with such certainty and precision as , will preclude the possibility of dis . pute. And all obstacles that tend to emoarrass the government in tho ] prosecution of such claims, or thai will prevent just and speedy deter imitation by the courts Of the mat ters at issue. should be removed.