The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-01
Letter from Hot Springs.

AeCp0E from f1OG Springs.
10 the Editor of the Indianapolis journal.
Can we condemn country which gives rs
twenty three days in succession of clear sky and
warm Sunshine in the winter month of Februarya
The nights, though colder, scarcely less beau
tifui than the days, for then the heavens turn on
the thousands of natures electric lights which
hedsck the blue vault. and their, Illuminating
power ID scarcely inferior to that Of the sun
himself There are many things which can be
truthfully said in depreciation Of Arkansas, but
her clear skies and sunny days will compare fay-
orably with Italy, that country which the poets
laud so highly. Were assigned to the task OF
making catalogue of the objections to the
State, Ishould set down first thelow state of pub
lie morals which prevails in many localities. and
the still lower degree of popular education which
pervadss the whole State. should next to this
refer to their laws. which appear to have been
framed for the purpose Of keeping moneyed
capital out Of the State, and they have accom-
plished their object admirably. By the Consti-
tuition and laws of the State, where the money
lender contracts for more than 10 per cent inter-
est he forfets the entire debt and can collect
nothing. This is the only Western State that
retains that relic of English barbarity towards
the Jews, who were once the only money-lend-
ers. What seems strange is that while England
fifty years ago repealed all usury laws and re-
moved all restrictions on the rate OF interest.
several States who borrowed her laws still re-
tain them. There are great mineral resources
in Arkansas, but they are wholly undeveoped
because capital from abroad will not venture
into the State in the face of such restrictive
laws. There are no manufactures Of any kind,
not even of common road wagons, which
all come here from other States.
Those vino framed the laws did so to favor
community of agriculturistR and to exclude or
discourage completely all manufacturing and
commercial enterprises, and they have succeeded
remarkably we'll.
The State owes large public debt most of
acknowledges considerable portion of the debt,
no provision is made for paying the interest No
attempt is made to compromise or settle with
her creditors, but the subject is treated with the
utmost Indifference. This is the direct result of
the total absence of commerce and commercial
ideas. There is no city properly so called in the
State, though Little Rock is.supposed to approx
innate 20 600 people. II Arkansas had large
commercial city within her borders to give some
tone to commercial pursuits her debt would be
speedily settled in some satisfactory manner, to
people and creditors.
Potatoes and other early garden vegetables are
being planted and soon the face of the earth will
smile with flowers, of which there are here
great abundance and variety. The mountains
which surround this valley have looked rather
gloomy since December, clad in their somber
oak leaves, but vegetation is now beginning to
show signs of life, and soon they will be inviting
to the visitors. of whom there are many here
now in search of health pleasure, and it is
difficult to decide which class is the more numer
Gus. The long dreary season of dullness lasting
from July to FEBRUARY is broken, and the hotels,
happy. trust the guests and patients when
they come to settle their bills may be equally 3d.
M. L. BUNDY.
Hot SPRINGS. Ark, Feb. IS, 1886.