The Van Buren press., 1899-01-21
To the General Assembly:

ernor 70 give 10 the general assembly
from time 10 time, and at the close of
his official term, 10 the next general
assembly. information by message
concerning the condition and govern
ment Of the state and recommend for
their consideration such measures as
he may deem expedlent."
In compliance with that require
meut L submit for your consideration
the following:
THE WAR WITH SPAIN.
Since the adjournment of the last
general assembly the war between the
United States and Spain was declared.
The president of the United States
called upon me To furnish two regi-
ments of infantry for service in this
war. At the time of this eail there
was no money in the state treasury
appropriated for military purposes,
and In order 10 meet the eXigeney l
called upon the different banks of the
state. through the bankers Associa-
mobilize these two regiments. assur-
Ing them that If the United States
government should fail or refuse TO re.
fund the same ! would ask the gener
al assembly 10 do so. The banks very
promptly responded to my request
and furnished me with $4,000. In ad-
dition to this Hon. jacob Tfiebef.
United States district attorney, y0lun-
tariIy rendered to me 500 and Hon.
Nathan Adler of Batesville. $3.50.
which amounts ] accepted. giving the
same promise as to the banks. There
were other expenses necessarily IN
CURED after this amount was ex.
hausted which brought the total
amount 10 about $4,000. An Item
lied account of these expenditures,
with the proper vouchers. has been
filed with the war department; but no
part of the same has ever been paid.
In order TO expedite this settlement
with the United States. IN December
| sent my private secretary. Mr. Ar
thur NELL. to Washington. -. c., and
he remained there for some days urg
ing settlement. but owing to the vol
ume of business in the war department
Ii was impossible to get this account
audited. but Mr.. Neil. was encouraged
TO believe that the settlement would
be made by February |. If, however.
this settlement is not completed with.
In a reasonable time before the prob
able adjournment of your body. | will
communicate the fact to YOU and ask
that an appropriation be made by you
for the payment of all of these mon
eys advanced by the banks and indi-
viduals. above mentioned. The honor
aud fair name of the state demand
that these moneys shall be refunded
before your adjournment
In this connection i am much
pleased to say that our young men
responded with great alacrity TO the
call of the government. so that ! was
enabled TO furnish the full quota from
Arkansas among the first of all the
states of the Union. and that the Off
GERS and all of the men of both regl-
ments have conducted themselves
with great propriety and reflected
great credit upon the state. While
none of our troops have been before
the enemy. they have suffered hard
ships and disease In camp, where in
adequate provision was made for their
health and proper care of the SICK,
with much less complaining than
might reasonably have been expected.
The First regiment was discharged
from service by the government on
October -. after nearly six months
service. The Gecond regiment is still
IN service. and, as | am well Informed,
is giving great satisfaction to the mill
tary authorities.
The legislature, not having made
any appropriation for the maintenance
Of the state guard for years, it is
necessarily a poorly organized. poorly
equipped and ineffective organization
and was greatly crippled by this fact
In my effort to promptly respond to the
presidents call. In fact but for the
timely response of the bankers and in
dividuals, above mentioned. the state
would have been in the humlliating at
titude of heing unable to furnish the
troops called for. This emergency
convinced me of the wisdom of an ap.
preparation for militia purposes, and
! recommend an appropriation of $l0,.
90. for such purposes. If no neces-
sity should arise for its use IL would
remain in the treasury
RAILROAD COMMISSION.
BY amendment No. 4 to the constitu-
tion, which was adopted by the people
at the last general election, section TO-
Of article II, is amended to read as fol-
lows:
''rhe general assembly shall pass
laws to correct abuses and prevent un-
just discrimination and excessive
charges by railroads, canals. and turn
pike companies for transporting
freight and passengers. and shall pro-
vide for enforcing such laws by ade
quate penalties and f0rfeitures. and
shall provide for the creation of such
Offices and commissions and vest In
them such authority as shall be neces-
sary to carry into effect the powers
hereby conferred"
BY this amendment it will be seen
that the duty OF providing for what is
commonly called a railroad commission
is imperatlyely cast upon you. do
not doubt your perfect willingness and
desire TO perform tnis duty, but | wish
10 impress upon y0u the importance
of so discharging il that the act which
you may pass shall give full power
and authority 20 accomplish the pur-
pose intended by the amendment.
There can be no desire upon the part
of any good citizen 10 deal unjustly
with the railroads or with any other
species OF property in the state, but il
is certainly desirable that the laws
passed 10 control, regulate and govern
them shall be fully efficient for the
purpose intended. The people Of The
sInfe have hnrne with more nallnncn