Year: 1878

FELLOW -CIrrxEss or PoPE Couxry:

 I am . candidate on the Democrat. ic ticket to represent Pope county in the Lower House of our next Gener- al Assembly. It is with some mis- giyings as to my qualifications in meeting the wants and expectations of my fellow citlzens that l consent to allow my name brought before the people for so important and honora- ble position.

 l had expected, YES, DESIRED, that men of more Legislative experiences should be brought forward on the Democratic ticket. 1 regard the next session to be hela as one of the most important since the adoption of the present Cons.!tution.

 have never lad any aspirations for office. have no selfish motives to gratify, and if I am the choice of the people, l shall serve them hon. estly and faithfully, devote my whole time and such ability as l pos cess to promote the general welfare of my constituents and shall ever be found tt my poet of duty.

 shall urge the necessity ofbring- ing current expenses within our in- come without increasing the burthen of taxation upon the people. For l speak knowingly when l say our taxes are as heavy as the people can we'll bear. shall oppose any in crease of taxation, but shall use ev- cry effort to economize, aud advocate all legitimate measures which may be necessary to gradually extinguish our home floating debt. l would suggest such amendments to the Constitution as would tend to tue furthcrance of thls object, among which would be the reduction of the number of State officials, when prac- ticable; the amount of their salaries; number of clerks and extra perqui- sites for the hire of servants, &c. the meeting of the legislature only once in four years; and the election of officials, both State and county for term of four years.

 I am also in favor of enactlng a law giving to each county all the de linquent lands lying within their respective limits which may be for feited for the non. payment of taxes, and that the County Court shall have power to sell and dispose of the same, when not redeemed according to law, to actual settlers, at price commensurate with their quality and location, the proceeds of which shall be appropriated exclusively for the benefit of schools therein.

 As regards our bonded indebted ness, I propose to let it severely alone; refer it at present to the Su- preme Court. Should apply our time and labor to the present wants of the people, and consume no un- necessary time.

 In voting for a U. s. Senator shall, if elected, vote for the choice of the Democracy of Pope County, irrespective of my personal prefer ence; but should I not be enabled to secure your first choice after fair trial, I shall vote secondly and all the time for a true and tried simon pure Democrat My past history socially, morally, and politically, is we'll known to the most of you, and as a guarantee to my future course 1 refor you to my past anteccdents. My interests being as closely ldcnti- fled with the interests of the people of Pope County as any person with in her borders, I have but few promises to make-all that own or ever expect to possess is in Arkan- sas, all that is near and dear to my heart is here. With g residence ot over 3S years in her borders, trans acting business with many of you far 25 years or more, in my inter course with all men l have endeav- ored to be upright and honorable. And if am not deemed as well qual- flied to merit your support and con. fidence as either of my opponents, shall feel assured that it will be given to one of the two very worthy gentle men who, like myself, seek your sui rage, and thereby give full and fail expression of the choice of the party. Should you honor me with this important trust shall ever feel grateful. l am MORE than willing to snbmit my claims to the action of the Demo cratic party either in Convention oi Primary Election.

 Most Respectfully,

 H. CLARE HOWELL.