The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-01-23
Dan w. Jones.
From the Little Rock Gazette of January 10,

From the Little Rock Gazette of January 49,
The newly elected governor of the
state of Administration. Dan w. Jones
took upon himself the oath of office
of chief executive in the presence of the
legislature yesterday. The ceremony
was simple and yet attended with that
dignity and ceremony which belongs to
the high station.
The inaugural address of Gov. Jones
was able, dignified and full of many
valuable suggestions to the law makers
of the state.
Like Gov. Clarke, the retiring chief
magistrate, Gov. Jones recommends
certain amendments to our election
laws. While stating that, with the
most perfect law, frauds in political
elections will. to some extent, be com
mitted, the governor makes the remark
that the law itself should not be at fault.
1T should be so constructed that all
fair minded men, of every shade of
politics, would yield assent to their
fairness. - Gov. Jones is of the
opinion that the election law should for
bid a candidate from purchasing votes
by paying the poll tax of electors. "a
political party, says the governor,
(which cannot maintain its supremacy
except by unjust or unfair laws cannot
expect to retain the confidence and sup
port of the majority of the people for
any great length of time. This is a
truism that our law makers should ever
bear in mind.
Gov. Jones reinforces the argument
of Gov. Clarke in favor of railroad
| 20 N
the expense of the same This portion
of Gov. Jones message should receive
the earnest study and attention of our
legislators.
Gov. Jones is in favor of the enact
ment of an insolvent law. While he
believes that congress ought to enact a
| bankrupt law, the state may enact an
insolvent statute which will enable the
debtor to make terms with his creditors.
The governor points out how this may
be done.
| The governor recommends that the
constitution be so amended that no con
tract for greater rate of interest than
6 per cent shall be enforced by any
court, and that all laws upon the sub
ject of usury shall be repealed
"Usury laws - he says, 'such as we
have, whereby the lender loses not only
his interest but his money also, are I'M
Just and unreasonable. With the
laws prohibiting the courts from giving
Judgment for a greater rate of Interest
than that allowed by law, the borrower
will be protected against unjus
exactions, while he is compelled Il
perform his lawful contracts.
|
legislation to prevent gold contracts
from being made and enforced in thi
state. He also recommends law fo
tine inspection and proper supervision
and regulation of all state banks.
! Gov. Jones recommends settlement
of the undisputed debt of the state
"Our good name requires this, h
pointedly observes. 1.-The outstand
ing bonds of the state will be due in twi
or three years. A large part of tn
interest is past due and unpaid.
doubt not that holders of these bond
would agree to have them refunded at
lower rate of interest, if provision shall
be made for the prompt payment of tn
interest as it hereafter accrues. Thes
suggestions of Gov. Jones should receiv
earnest attention.
The governor recommends ADEQUATE
provision for the payment of the none.
due the permanent school fund by tn
state.
Gov. Jones is favorable to the build
ing and maintenance of reform schoo
for boys. He also urges the use of tn
convicts in the construction of railroads
This portion of the governor 5 messag
will h. raa1 with great iptaraSt
BY carefully studying the message O
Gov. Clarke and the Recommendation
of Gov. Jones. and needing their sug
gestions, the wise men of our genera
assembly cannot go far wrong.