The Forrest City times., 1897-01-22
GOV. CLARKE'S MESSAGE.
Synopsis of the Retiring Governors
 Final Communication.
A General Review of Conditions as They Exist in the State Supplemented by
 Recommendations of Reme- dial Legislation.

The farewell message of Gov James P. Clarke to the thirty-frst general assembly was perhaps the most volumin- ous and able document ever delivered to a similar body in Arkansas. It goes into detail in all matters pertaining to the commonwealth, and if published in full would make 20 columns in a newspaper of the average size. In the following synopsis we endeavor to give the salient points in the message:
 It is required of the governor that he shall give to the general assembly. from time to time, and at the close of his official term to the next general as- sembly, information by message con- cerning the condition and government of the state, and recommend for th,Jr consideration such measures as ne may deem expedient.
 proceed to comply with this provi- sion with more or less trepida ion, be- cause of the great number and impor- tance of the subjects which ought to be brought to your notice in a manner sufficiently in detail to be of value in yollr deliberations. The tear tha; I shall overtax your patience is not di- unfinished by the fact that my worthy successor is entitled to be heard and that several of the subordinate off cers, moved by a well-meaning and harmless vanity, have not forgotten to give you the benefit of voluminous suggestions. Among some of the mat of r.,.fixa hot | dn m at liberty to omit are the following:
 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
 My observation and experience in the actual discharge of the duties in- posed on the incumbent of this office, have only served to add new reasons and to deepen the conviction of the seundness and propriety of those form erly expressed for my belief that the necessary burdens of the state govern ment can never be fairly and equal ly distributed. the expense of its ad. ministration reduced to the lowest limits, nor it's. strength and harmony brought to that state of development; tbat will best secure and promote tho prosperity of the commonwealth untI the constitution is revised. I shall not attempt here to again go over tha grounds for this opinion. On another occasion l did this fairly to my satiS- faction. But 1 do earnestly recom- mend that this matter of holding q convention for the revision of our coD- sttution be submitted to a vote of the people at an election to be held espec- ially for the purpose of taking their sense on this proposition. In this state a general election is not fit oc- casion for discussing and disposing of a matter of this importance. Then partisan considerations are given prominence in the discussions. and the success of the merely personal feature of ofiice-holding is deemed of para mount importance. Many person who believes firmly in the reform and left to act freely would prove tower of strength in its support, will hesitate to advance his views if his personal fortunes are thereby likely to suffer. But on an occasion when the necessity fer the revision is the only matter iu- vclved in the contest, we may well eX pect that the matter thus freed from tbe merely selfish aspect of political strife will receive such unbiased and comprehensive discussion as will make its merits apparent, or expose the fal lacy of the position of those who insist that the public interest demands that the revision be made. If this latter should turn out to be the response that the people should make at the special election, it would put an end to the matter. at least until con alterations other than those now urged justified it's being again agitated. think l can safely say that every state that has seen proper to consult the people preliminary to calling a con- vention to revise it's constitution has called special election for the pur- pose. l am informed that in Virginia and Tennessee such elections are now pending.