Year: 1878

of the list of appointments, the aspl- rants for Gubcrnatorial honors took advantage of "a short Hay over" here last Friday morning to tell us what they know about being Governor; and thanks to an announcement made in the DEMOCRAT the morning before there was crowded house full of independent voters present ready to drink in the tremendous flow of eloquence, wit, &c., &c., &c., which was poured out utterly re gardless of consequences.

 Gov. WM. R. MILLER

 led off He regretted that the short time which would intervene before train time would not admit of a fuller and more particular discussion of the various topics before the peo. pie than he would be able at this time to give. He had two slick, slippery eels to contend against him, but he proposed to skin them in the most approved style. "The Raccoon of the Mountains and Tarantula of the Situation Honest Tom Fetch er-he had no doubt he would get away with easy enough, and his other competitors Hughes record as Attorney General he thought would settle his part of the fight. The Governor reviewed the financial condition of the State and gave an account of his action on finances while he had been Chief Executive and ex officlo president of the State Finance Board. He had all the time regarded our floating debt-the outstanding State scrip-as the wolf in our path, and so it would remain as long as it was out He was Tn favor of l-tting the matter of our bonded indebtedness severely alone until the floating debt should be dis posed of. In the matter of the Adams Redfeld plan he held that there was nothing objectionable in it. He had been grossly misrepre- sented in this matter and his acton had been placed before the people altogether wrong. Did endorse the plan" and agreed to recommend it to the Legislature, but denied that it authorized the payment of dol lar on Railroad, Leyec or fraudulent Holford Bonds. The Levee Bonds he regarded as steeped in fraud. Anticipating what Gen. Hughes would say, the Governor justified his action ip calling out the militia in Scott County and denied that he had violated either the spirit or let ter ot the Constitution. He then went on to show up some of General Hughes public record as Attorney General-how he had neglected his duty to look after the States interest in the Le zee Bond suits and how he had rendered decisions adverse to the best interests of the State. In the midst of his remarks time was called and the Governor gave way to

 GEN. SIMON F. HUGHES

 who opened out on Coy. Miller by impeaching him on one of his very first acts after becoming Governor the calling out of the militia in Scott county. Laid much stress on this point and expatiated upon the dan ger of permitting the military to be exalted over the civil authority. He next attacked the financial record of Gov. Miller and proceeded to fix upon him due share of the respon sibility for the Adams -Redfieid ''scheme." By endorsing it and agreeing to recommend it Gov. Mil Ter had become particeps criminis to all the blunders, errors and absurdi- ties of the scheme, and he could not escape the blame which attached to it. Did not pay his addresses to any extent to the Hon. Fletcher or lay down any very explicit policy of his own-only seemed to be trying to show that Hon. w. k. Miller had made q poor Governor and should not be elected.

 HoN. ToM FLETCHER

 came last and taking the stand told the people that he was an Arkansaw yer Had been here about as long as any of them and claimed to feel about as much interest in the State as any man. He had stated his DO. sition on the State Finances two years ago when Miller and Hughes were afraid to come out with their position, and he held to the same views yet. He pointed to the State of Georgia as affording one of the best examples of Statesmanship and good financiering winch had been adopted by any of the States. He was in favor of similar action in Ar kansaw. Wanted the matter en grafted in our Constitution and rati- fed by the people so that these fraudulent bonds should be forever killed dead, and put out of the way. He is opposed to funding and there by adding interest to principal. Is also opposed to borrowing any more money. Wants the States expenses reduced and her government made self sustaining. Is in favor of a good, simple free school system. Wants a simpler and more efficient law on the school question. Will encourage manufactures and home | H. knl,nyaI both nf h t.