32 



ARKANSAS. 



3. That we are in favor of- sustaining the State and 

 Federal Governments against all enemies and oppos- 

 crs. 



4. That we are in favor of a reduction of taxes to the 

 lowest figure, consistent with an economical admin- 

 istration of State and county matters under the law. 



5. That we are in favor of public free schools ar- 

 ranged upon a proper basis with a reduction of 

 expenses. 



6. That we are in favor of encouraging railroads 

 and other public improvements, consistent with our 

 abilities. 



7". That we are in favor of using every effort in our 

 power to do avvay with all old .party prejudices, and 

 to encourage good feeling, and that we invite all, with- 

 out respect to old or former political opinions, to join 

 us. 



8. That we are in favor of, and heartily indorse, 

 the present national banking system. 



9. That we are in favor of removing the political 

 disabilities of all persons, and a general amnesty. 



These declarations are similar to those put 

 forth by the two parties in other parts of the 

 State. 



The registration provided for by the law of 

 1868 was ordered in September, and the reg- 

 istrars appointed by the Governor. His in- 

 structions to them were simply that they were 

 to refuse registration only to those who were 

 disfranchised by the provisions of the consti- 

 tution. Accompanying the instructions was 

 an opinion by the Attorney-General concern- 

 ing the effect of the United States "Enforce- 

 ment Law." His conclusion was, that " the reg- 

 istrars and judges of election, in the discharge 

 of their duties, ought to act as though no en- 

 forcement act had ever been passed, because 

 our registration and election laws do not pro- 

 hibit any of the classes enumerated in the fif- 

 teenth amendment from voting." 



Some complaints were made that applicants 

 for registration were rejected on the ground 

 that they belonged to some secret political as- 

 sociation ; had voted against the constitution ; 

 or had not brought their old certificates of 

 registration ; but no specific cases were brought 

 to the attention of the Governor, and he refused 

 to take any action in the matter. 



The election took place on the 8th of No- 

 vember, and resulted in considerable gains for 

 the Democratic party. Democrats were chosen 

 for Representatives to Congress from the First 

 and Third Districts, and a Republican from the 

 Second. The Legislature is thus classified : 

 18 Republicans and 8 Conservatives in the Sen- 

 ate ; 45 Republicans, 29 Conservatives, and 9 

 Liberals, in the House. Two. Senators and 

 eight Representatives are colored. There were 

 allegations of fraud in the election in certain 

 portions of Pulaski County, and a petition was 

 presented in the Supreme Court to compel the 

 county clerk to make correct returns, and an 

 order was issued accordingly. The petition 

 declared that in certain precincts "armed mobs 

 seized and usurped the places designated as 

 voting-places, and prevented the judges regu- 

 larly appointed from holding the election, and 

 appointed others in their stead, who held a pre- 

 tended election," the returns of which were 



made by the county clerk. In his response 

 the clerk denied any knowledge of the armed 

 mob spoken of in the petition, but a peremp- 

 tory mandamus was issued, requiring him to 

 certify to the Secretary of State the votes 

 actually cast. The Governor was accused of 

 using his personal influence, and the power 

 given him by the appointment of registrars, 

 to affect the result of the election. 



In his annual message to the Legislature of 

 1871, the Governor recommends several amend- 

 ments to the constitution. One of these is in- 

 tended to remove political disabilities imposed 

 upon those who participated in the attempt to 

 establish a Southern Confederacy. 



The following is the Federal census of Ar- 

 kansas by counties. The population of 1860 is 

 compared with that of 1870, by which there 

 appears an increase of 47,479 : 



