The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1893-01-13

and the most difficult work can he accom-
plished.
The questions what to do W It'll convict labor
and what to do without the labor needed on
public roads. with n very little legislation
n igh;, in a measure be adjusted. The crlmihal
laws should be SO amended as TO Increase the
oTense Of petit larceny from $40 TO $50 ana the
penalty shoald be made commensurate 10 ths
offcuso.
The statute providing jail sentences for crime
should a SO be amended by substituting fines
for imprisonment, which when not paid should
be worked out on public roads.
The present law requiring all male persons
from the ages OF eighteen to forty-fve 10 work
on public roads six days In d year should not Dc
changed.
County courts should be required TO levy one
mill tax for road purposes. With proper econ
omy this could be done
To make effectual such road laws each county
should have a board or committee TO superiu-
intend and direct this work This board should
receive no other pay than exemption from
road and jury duty
GENERAL. REVENUE.
The rate OF taxation for general purposes for
the last two years, % mills Oh the dollar.
brought into the tire asury s37600. There was
received from other sources $4,000. creating in
two years general revenue fund OF 81, 1l2,OOO.
II is safe to conclude that the same rate Of tax
sources, will bring an equal amount into the
treasury for the next two years. The appro-
priations made by the last Legislature will be
expended and will about equal the amount col
lected. However, more than 81 H09) OF this
amount was appropriate for buildings, the
larger part OF the expense o. the geological sur
veg and other purposes for which similar appro-
priatioas are lot required. We may safely cal
culate that the same rate OF taxation. "a mills
for general purpopes, and same income from
other sources will enable us 20 meet all de
mands upon this fund, including such increased
expenditures as the incoming two years may
require,
COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
The magnitude OF the Columbi Exposition
10 be held in the City OF Chicago from the first
OF May till the close of October of this year
under the auspices OF the general government
need not be commented upon at this late date
Two years ago, feeling the Importance to Al.
kansas o. having her various and numerous re.
sources placed exhibition AZ this great fair.
where they might be seen by representatives
from every part OF the world, recommended
a liberal appropriation for that purpose.
Perhaps, owing to the financial trouble in
which The State was involved at the time, and
for other reasons, the Legislature declined to
make an appropriation
Being animated by feeling OF State pride a
number OF the public spirited citizens of the
OF tie State Interested themselves in organiz-
ing joint stock company for the purpose of
making AL Arkansas exhibit at this Exposition.
III December 1891. SO 90 worth of stock hav-
ing been subscribed, convention was called
and the Arkansas Worlds Fair Association was
organized under the laws Of the State with q
board Of directors. etc. This association has
about succeeded in raising sufficient money to
erect most creditable State building on the
Exposition grounds on beautiful and most eli.
gib!e site, reserved by the LEGAL management
for the State OF Arkansas, aud every effort is
being made to make n complete exhibit Of the
products, manufactures and resources Of the
State.
That such enterprise be enc uragcd, and that
the exhibit may be recognized as a State cxhib-
it, rather than that OF association and be
made more complete the State shonlG take
part in the Efforts row being made
30 State that is endeavoring to advertise her
resources at this Exposition by making a good
exhibit has so much promise of Profitable re
turns as the State OF Arkansas, and no State
would suffer greater loss from failing 10 be
properly represented at that time
recommended an appropriation Of $4,000 TO
supplement the fund raised by citizens 10 be
used by the Worlds Fair Board already organ
lied, under the direction OF approval OF the
Governor.
/ further recommend that said Board be auth
orized to use the collection made for the mines
manufactures aud agricultural department as
part OF the State exhibit.
DIVORCE.
To prevent depreciation in the moral senti-
ment and standing OF the State, some legisla
tion this vital social question is essential
After two years OF observation and reflection, /
am constrained TO quote the following from my
last message for your consideration:
Marriage without due reflection. and for
merccnary or other unworthy considerations
leads 10 domestic trouble, separation and di-
vorce.
The slac'Iress OF the views OF the people,
the law makers and the courts on this vital sub.
Iect Is a serious reflection on the entire country
as we'll as our own state.
Il avs shonld be passed to check hasty and
improper marriage An important step in this
direction would be to make it next TO impossi.
BILE to secure Il divorce When the people are
brought TO regard marriage as union for life.
Us its divine author purposed II should be, the
marriage VOW will be taken after proper consid-
Grafton, and divorce will be largely thing of
the past The moral standard OF the country
will be elevated, and the people made better
and happier. 1t is claimed that ours is Chris
tan country, bat our divorce laws and the
manner in which they are executed arc, indeed
poor evidences OF It,"
CONCLUSION
On retiring from the office which have occu.
pied for four years, | desire first 10 express nv
gratitude to the people OF the State who com
mitted this exalted trust TO my hands nave
devoted the energy Of my life in endeavoring to
perform every duty faithfully and well; in Sd
far as | have failed TO do so / crave Indulgence
For the consideration and kindness with
which have been treated by the public press
l acknowledge my Indebtedness
To the State officials with whom have been
associated who have been most helDfuI in nv