Year: 1862



 The most of you, presume, are aware that am candidate to represent your county i'll the next General Assembly. Having been solicited bv friends and neghbors to become candidate, I yielded to their wishes both publicly and privately expressed, and my name was announced some time ago. And as for obvious reasons, there has been no inclination manifested by the candidates to sions, we are left free ts known our opinions as best suits the convenie Dbf each of us. There fore, adopt this method of offering for your con- sideration my views and sentiments touching some of those questions that may, and ought in my opinion, to come before the General Assembly. The session will be the first regular one held since the adoption of the new constitution, and will be important in that respect if in no other

 The war now being waged against us has made us a self-dependent people, and the fostering aid and encouragement of the legislature is needed, more than ever, to supply the means necessary for the welfare and sustenance of the people. We must have at least one manufactory of goods for clothing; we can have it. We have the labor, capital, material and everything else necessary, except machinery, to start manufactories, sufficient at least, to supply our most pressing wants. Our sister states of the Confederacy have manufacto- res of woolen and cotton fabrics in operation and some of them supplying thread to families to be made into cloth, by hand. l am in favor of the state embarking in similar enterprises, and if eec- 

 compsh the end is attempted at least. Arkansas must not be behind in this respect.

 Many of our citizens are complaining, and very justly too, at the enormous prices exaoted for every description of food and clothing To the poor, and to persons in moderate circumstances, this is becoming serious matter; but am satisfied that the remedy Is, to some extent, within the Legisla- ture. The cause of this evil is, in the first place. the great disproportion between the quantity of our currency and of tbe articles needed; and, in the second place, the want of one more manutacto- ries. The legislature should regulate the one and provide the means for starting the other. Ma. chinery can be had in the Confederate States.

 I am opposed to the state keeping up separate military organization, but let the executive have i. in his power to use the militia for defensive purpo ses in case the Confederate forces are not at hand and upon no other contingency. We have no use for a Military Board, but the members could not consistently with their oaths under the consti tuition, vote to abolish it. would vote to rfpeaI all acts placing money at the disposal of the board and aqainst any bill presented for that purpose.

 The state is yet rich in lands. They should be withheld from sale until the close of the war, when they should be classified, and, after adopting land system less complicated in it's character than the old one, they should be again restored to market. The lands can be made to pay any reasonable debt the state may be involved in, il they properly husbanded, and thus relieve the people from the oppressive taxation that would otherwise be requir- cd to pay the debt. The heavy debt that has been incurred since the state seeded, admonishes the legislator to be prudent and watchful Appropr- ations of money should be sufficient, but not too literally made.

 The question of the old Bank debt has grown obsolete but the debt still exists The true policy is to make the mortgaged lands pay the debt.

 I think the law prev enting the collection of debts by execution salea good one, and should be con- tinued in force, but whenever the times should be thought to justify it, third or any ether part of the debt might be made c0llectaoe. 1t should be remembered that the creditor has rights to be pro tected as well as the debtor, and it is very often the case that the rich man owes the poor one, and the latter cannot collect part of his claim.

 The destitute families of those who have been called into the army need the protection and sup port, above all others, of the State. Our county court has levied tax sufficient, but others have not. The tax should be uniform, So that all the taxable property of the State should be made to contribute to the support of the famlie. of those | engaged in fighting for the preservation Q! the same, as well as for our rights and liberties.

 The road law for this county is a very roor one, and think the old law, under which every person liable to road duty was required Q work a certain number of days in the year, is infinitely more pre- | ferable,

 These and other kindred questions, l would have been pleased, under other circumstances, to discuss before you, and would notice them further here, but for fear of extending this communication too much, and for want of time, l must close. If l am elected of your representatives although it may be more to my individual interest not to be, still, promise you that you shall be heard in your legislative hall upon every question of importance and your interests faithfully guar 1 ded and advocated.

 yield to none of the candidates in knowledge of legislative rules and proceedings, having had the experience of five sessions as secretary of our State Senate.

 Your fellow citizen,