2 Although there was no general election in the State this year, considerable activity was displayed by the political parties, especially by the Democrats, in organizing their forces for the campaign in 1872. On the 23d of March the Democratic and Conservative members of the Legislature held a meeting and appointed a State Central Committee, and a separate committee for each of the three congressional districts, and issued an address to the people of the State. The opening paragraph of the address was as follows: "In view of the dangerous and alarming condition of our public affairs, and the pressing necessity realized by all good and patriotic citizens for a combined and organized effort on the part of the conservative elements to rescue the country from threatened and impending ruin and destruction, we, the Democratic and Conservative members of the General Assembly, have deemed it advisable, in the absence of any existing State organization, to inaugurate a movement looking to a speedy and thorough organization of the party, to prepare for the great campaign and battle of 1872." It then recites the history and effects of what it calls the "pernicious system of radical misrule," and calls upon the people to organize a strong opposition to it. The question of holding a general convention was a good deal canvassed in the public prints, but the State Central Committee, at a meeting held on the 10th of July, decided that it would not be expedient to hold one before the call was issued for a National Democratic Convention. The committee adopted resolutions at the same meeting, commending the platform of the Democracy of Ohio as a model, and calling upon the people "to give the most liberal support to the different Democratic and Conservative organs in the State, to the end that the freest information may be diffused among the people, and our party papers, notwithstanding the proscriptive legislation which debars them from all official patronage, be enabled to continue a vigorous warfare against radicalism." The following was also adopted: Resolved, That this convention of the DemocraticConservative Central and District Committees of the State, representing the Democratic and Conservative masses of Arkansas, are opposed to all secret political organizations, as being destructive to the best interests of society; that we recommend to the people of Arkansas a most careful consideration and protection of the rights of all citizens, irrespective of race, color, or previous condition, but that, while conceding all lawful rights to those opposed to us in politics, we shall most earnestly demand and contend for our own rights by all lawful and legitimate means within our reach. An address to the people of the State was prepared, and afterward published, arraigning the action of the Republican party in the State, and setting forth a plan for a complete organization of the opposition in every county. The address concluded with the following appeal: In conclusion, we would admonish and exhort our friends all over the State to be not only zealous in all good works, but wise, prudent, and discreet in all their acts and conduct. The wrongs and oppressions ministration are fel tequally and alike by all, whether of this reckless, extravagant, and corrupt radical adthey be white or black, Democratic or Republican, We must try to commend the justice of our cause and the claims of our party to the favorable consideration of every man who desires a just, honest, and cooperation of all, without regard to past political economical government; and cordially invite the affinities or party affiliations, who are willing to unite with us on the broad platform of equal rights, equal protection, and a due regard for the best interests of all the people. Let us try and demonstrate to the colrights or their interests-that we desire to protect ored men that we are not inimical, either to their them, as well as ourselves, against the enormities of a rapacious government and a corrupt party; that we neither intend nor desire to deprive them of any laws of the land-that we could not force them back of the political rights now secured to them by the into slavery if we would, nor deprive them of the right to vote if we could. It is true, that we cannot expect to gain the votes of many colored men, whatand magnanimous course, we will win to our support ever we may do or say, but, by pursuing this just many moderate and conservative white republicans, and especially those of the old native Union element of the State, who are even now ready and waiting to fall into our ranks and fight under our banners, as of the accomplished facts of the war, which are the soon as we proclaim, in good faith, our acceptance destruction of slavery, the perpetuity of the Union, and the equality of all men before the law. But, above all things, let us be united among ourselves. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Let good-will reign in our own camp and in our own us preserve peace and harmony, and let fraternal ranks. Let no personal bickerings, no factious feuds, no envyings or jealousies, mar the harmony of our private, social, and political relations, but let us be know no rivalries among ourselves but that noble one in spirit, one in fellowship, one in faith, and rivalry, or rather emulation, of who can best work and best agree. Mass-meetings and conventions were subsequently held in all the counties, to effect an organization of the Democratic forces, in acThe sentiments of the address above quoted cordance with the plan of the State Committee. were very generally indorsed, and the people platform and candidates of the National Demopledged themselves in advance to support the cratic Convention. The Republican party was already fully or ganized, but mass-meetings were held in several counties. The prevailing sentiments at these assemblies are set forth in the following platform, adopted in Bradley County: Resolved, 1. That, recognizing the great and noble achievements of the Republican party during the last ten years, whereby our country has been saved from anarchy and ruin, the rebellion has been crushed, four millions of slaves made freemen, and endowed with the rights of citizens, civil government established over one-half the nation, the rights of citizens everywhere enforced, the national credit and honor perity brought to every door, we feel a pride in the maintained at home and abroad, and peace and prosrecord of our party, and hereby renew our pledge of fealty and devotion to it in the future. with pride, upon the wise and statesmanlike Admin 2. That we look not only with approbation, but istration of President Grant, and we thank him and the noble Republicans who stood by him for the vindication and honest execution of the laws of the land. 3. That we renew our assurance of confidence and support to the State administration, and trust that the laws may be so modelled and executed that every officer shall be amenable to the people for the faithful discharge of his duty, and that economy and honesty may mark every branch of the service under Republican control. 4. That we favor free schools and the education of the masses, for we thereby secure the permanence of republican institutions and transmit the inheritance of free government to posterity. 5. That, desiring unity, harmony, and success, we cordially invite all who wish our country to be free, prosperous, and happy, to unite with us in our efforts to secure success, laying aside all questions as to individuals, and uniting all energies for the triumph of Republican principles. 6. That we condemn all efforts to disrupt the party, by assaults on and abuse of leading Republican officials of the State, by those professing to be Republicans, and we demand that they take their positions either with us or with the Democracy, where they belong. There was, however, a discontented section of the party, which had considerable strength. This was made up of the Republican opponents of Clayton and his administration in the State, who were popularly denominated "Brindletails." An interesting decision was rendered by the United States Circuit Court, in the Eastern District of Arkansas, in March, which settles the question of liability on contracts, for which slaves formed the consideration on either side. The points determined are stated with sufficient clearness in the following syllabus of the case: 1. The institution of slavery, under the Constitution of the United States, was purely local in its character, and confined to the several States where it existed, and was the creature of positive law, and this is true of all its incidents. 2. The Constitution of the United States did not regard slaves as property, but as persons; and it did not establish slavery or give any sanction to it, save in the single respect of the return of fugitives from service. 3. A remedy on a contract, which is against sound morals, natural justice, and right, may exist by virtue of the positive law under which the contract was made; but such remedy can only be enforced so long as that law remains in effect. As such remedy derives all its support from the statute, it cannot for any purpose survive its repeal. 4. The new constitution of Arkansas, declaring that "all contracts for the sale and purchase of slaves were null and void," is not in conflict with the clause of the Constitution of the United States prohibiting any State from passing any law impairing the obligation of contracts, which clause does not operate so as to perpetuate the institution of slavery or any of its 37 incidents, these being matters over which the States had unlimited control. 5. The thirteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States ipso facto destroyed the institution of slavery and all of its incidents, and put an end to all remedies growing out of sales of slaves. 6. In view of the thirteenth and fourteenth amendments to the Constitution of the United States, the court holds that a remedy on a contract for the sale of slaves is contrary to the spirit of their provisions, against public policy, and cannot be maintained. In the course of his opinion, Judge Caldwell laid down the following principle: The fundamental ground on which emancipation proceeded was, that the right of the slave to his freedom was paramount to the claim of his master to treat him as property; that slavery was founded in force and violence, and contrary to natural right; that no vested right of property could arise out of a relation thus created, and which was an ever-new and active violation of the law of Nature and the inalienable rights of man every moment that it subclares that "neither the United States, nor any State, sisted. The last clause of section 4, of article 14, deshall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations, and claims, shall be held illegal and void." This clause was inseveral States from any legal obligation to pay for serted, not to discharge the United States and the slaves emancipated, for no such obligation had been incurred. It is a limitation on the discretionary power of the legislative departments of both governments to appropriate money for such purpose, independently of any legal obligation, and to prevent the agitation and disturbance that would result from leaving the question in that situation. The very language of the Constitution itself is conclusive on the question. The State debt of Arkansas amounts to $19,398,000, classified as follows: Funded debt. $4,430,000 State aid railroad bonds (only $3,600 000 issued) 11,400,000 Total... 3,000,000 300,000 268,000 $19,398,000 Omitting the bonds in aid of railroads, and for the construction of levees, which have not yet been issued, the debt will stand at about $10,000,000. The debt of the State in January, 1867, was $3,252,401.50. The act authorizing the loan of the State credit to railroads was passed in 1868, and granted $15,000 per mile to roads having no land-grant, and $10,000 per mile to those having such grants, to the extent of 850 miles in all. Up to July last this had been awarded as follows: Memphis & Little Rock.. Little Rock & Fort Smith. Little Rock, Pine Bluff & New Orleans.. Kansas City & Fort Smith.. Total.... These bonds have thirty years to run, and bear six per cent. interest, which is paid by the roads. With this assistance, much progress Completed. $1,200,000 131 50 170 2,550,000 450,000 20 150 2,250,000 100 1,500,000 300,000 850 none. 201 $11,400,000 $3,600,000 has been made in developing the railroad system of the State. Among the important lines in course of construction are the Cairo & Ful ton, from Cairo, Ill., to Fulton, Ark., which is to be completed by January, 1874; the Missouri, Kansas, & Texas, from St. Louis to Galveston, already completed to Red River; and those already mentioned as receiving aid from the State. No less than 86 railroad companies have been incorporated since July 28, 1868, under the general incorporation laws. In 1860 the taxable property of Arkansas was set down at $120,475,236. On this a State tax was raised, amounting to $204,160.56. In 1865 the property was valued at $38,723,449, and on this a tax of $387,234.49 was raised. In 1868 the taxable property was reported at $68,699,716, and on this $2,342,047.77 was paid in taxes. The last report placed the property at $69,320,426, and the tax at $743,627.70. The educational interests of the State are gradually improving. The Agricultural College has been located at Fayetteville, Washington County; and a movement is on foot for founding a State Female College at Little Rock. Prof. William F. Roberts has been appointed State geologist, in pursuance of an act of the last Legislature and has begun a survey of the State, with a view to ascertaining its mineral resources. The fourth annual fair of the Arkansas State Agricultural and Mechanical Association was held in the early part of October, and gave evidence of a growing interest and success in the industrial pursuits of the State. The hot and medicinal springs of Arkansas are attracting considerable attention by the benefits derived by invalids from their use. They are 54 in number, and are located about 60 miles southwest of Little Rock. Their temperature varies from 100° to 150° Fahr. They are classified as arsenic, alum, iron, and magnesia springs, but contain various other mineral substances besides those by which they are designated. Many remarkable cures are reported as the result of systematic bathing in these waters. 3,911 3,726 185 8,899 12 121 7,465 18 4 St. Francis. Lafayette. Little River.. Marian. Montgomery. Newton.. Perry.. Pike. Searcy Woodruff.. 8,031 17 Total for State 484,471 362,115 122,169 479,445 According to official authority, there are in the State 1,714,466 acres of improved land, "Sharpe.. 3,791,873 of woodland, and 1,601,254 of other unimproved land. The cash value of farms is $36,457,476; of farming implements and machinery, $2,112,020; total amount of wages paid during the year, including value of board, $3,907,188. The number of horses is 83,952; of mules and asses, 33,381; of milch-cows, 119,607; of working-oxen, 31,673; of other cattle, 179,431; of sheep, 149,592; of swine, 772,662; value of all live-stock, $15,795,971. The productions were - 683,691 bushels of wheat, 23,422 of rye, 12,208,044 of corn, 486,425 of oats, 46,477 of peas and beans, 399,927 of Irish and 859,842 of sweet potatoes, 73,021 pounds of rice, 529,110 of tobacco, 203,275 of wool, 2,531,011 of butter, 12,047 of wax, 261,824 of honey; 221,546 bales of cotton, 6,806 tons of hay, and 60,272 gallons of cane and 138,859 of sorghum molasses; value of home manufactures, $723,979; of slaughtered ani - 5,026 The number of manufacturing establishments in the State is 1,364; capital, $2,137,738; steam-engines, 300, with 6,980 horse-power; water-wheels, 134, with 1,599 horse-power; employing 4,133 males above 16, 48 females above 16, and 271 youth; wages paid during the year, $754,950; value of materials used, $4,823,651; of products, $7,699,676. Of the manufactories, the most important are, 283 establishments for ginning cotton, with a capital of $344,825; 35 for the manufacture of leather, capital $32,100; 212 saw-mills, capital $694,400; 13 wool-carding establishments, capital $32,500; 272 flour and meal mills, capital $477,151. The whole number of children attending school during the year was 62,572, of whom 30,138 were white males, 26,650 white females, 2,930 colored males, and 2,854 colored females. The number of persons, 10 years old and upward, who cannot read, is 111,799; who cannot write, 133,339, of whom 296 are foreign. Of those who cannot write, 13,610 are white males, 21,770 white females, 23,681 colored males, and 22,689 colored females, above 21. The deaths during the year were 6,119, of which 2,096 were from general diseases; 639 from affections of the nervous, 1,476 of the respiratory, and 602 of the digestive system. The assessed value of real estate is $53,102,304; of personal estate, $31,426,539; true valuation of real and personal estate, $156,394,691; total taxation, not national, $2,866,890; public debt, county, town, city, etc., $691,595. previously become somewhat dilapidated. It is proposed that this ground be hereafter classed with the other national cemeteries and cared for in the same way. The last surviving pensioner of the Government who served in the Revolutionary War has passed away, but there are still 634 widows of Revolutionary soldiers who receive pensions. There have been 3,078 applications for bounty-land during the year, of which 711 were rejected. The numbers of warrants for bounty-land issued for 11 years are as follows: In 1861, 5,341; 1862, 1,636; 1863, 602; 1864, 1,812; 1865, 1,161; 1866, 406; 1867, 954; 1868, 1,077; 1869, 1,650; 1870, 1,758; 1871, 2,598.. The following statement shows the nature of the injuries received by those who are at present invalid pensioners: In do. shoulder. 3.383 ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES. accordance with the provisions of the act of Congress of July 15, 1870, the army of the United States has been reduced to a peace-footing, and now numbers only 30,000 men. The do. 66 foot For single wounds. For two or more wounds... following is the present table of organization: The proportion of wounds of the head to the 63,721 4,022 1 to 13.14 1 to 99.62 Enlisted men of engineers.... 301 whole number is as Enlisted men of ordnance. Ordnance servants at posts... 200 Chest.. Military Academy band 24 Abdomen. Sixty enlisted men per company for 55 companies artillery... Eighty-four enlisted men per battery for 5 batteries light artillery. Eighty-four enlisted men per company for 120 com Thigh.. panies cavalry.. .10,080 Leg.. ..15,000 200 1 to 18.17 1 to 11.81 1 to 77.77 1 to 20,02 1 to 5.67 1 to 8.29 1 to 8.35 1 to 6.21 1 to 34.53 Sixty enlisted men per company for 250 companies infantry.. Non-commissioned staff of regiments.. The retired list is limited to 300 officers. At the Military Academy at West Point there are 229 cadets. The expense of supporting the military establishment during the year ending June 30, 1871, was about $40,000,000, including $3,945,000 expended upon river and harbor improvements. This shows a reduction from the cost of the army for the preceding year of $17,655,675.40. For the fiscal year 1871-'72, $36,530,776 have been appropriated, of which $4,407,500 is to be devoted to river and harbor improvements, and the estimated expense for 1872-73 is $32,415,472. Sales of clothing belonging to the army yielded the sum of $1,875,728.74, from June 30, 1870, to December 1, 1871, and during the last fiscal year small arms and ordnance stores were sold to the amount of $10,000,000. The several national cemeteries cover an area of 1,800 acres, acquired at a cost of $170,000. They now contain 317,950 graves, 2,255 of which were added during the year. There is a cemetery owned by the United States near the city of Mexico, which has been put in order during the year, the enclosure having Foot..... The whole number of amputations is to the number of injuries as 1 to 10.16. The proportion of amputations of one hand 2.13 is as.. 1 to 58.17 The proportion of amputations of both hands 1 to 1745.20 The proportion of amputations of one arm... 1 to 2.05 The proportion of amputations of both arms. 1 to 272.69 The proportion of amputations of one leg.... 1 to The proportion of amputations of both legs.. 1 to 242.39 The proportion of amputations of both feet.. 1 to 798.28 The proportion of amputations of one foot... 1 to 73.94 The proportion of amputations of leg and arm 1 to 545.37 Those pensioned for disabilities caused by disease are classified as follows: The proportion of diseases of the brain and nerves to the whole number is as... Digestive system.... Respiratory system.. hernia is 3,183. This is to the whole number paid for injuries as 1 to 23.29, or 4.29 per cent. A permanent military post has been established at Fort Snelling, in Minnesota. The operations of the army during the year have been confined chiefly to making surveys and observations, protecting settlers against the depredations of Indians, or assisting Government officials in the South in enforcing the laws. The battalion of engineers has been reduced to 554 enlisted men. They are concentrated now at Willett's Point and West Point, New York. Considerable progress has been made in river and harbor improvements, the construction of light-houses, and surveys on the lakes and the sea-coast. A commission to make investigations concerning the Sutro Tunnel and the mines of the Comstock lode was authorized by act of Congress on the 4th of April, and Lieutenant-Colonels H. G. Wright and John G. Foster, and Prof. Wesley Newcomb, were subsequently appointed thereTheir work was completed before the end of the year, but no report of the results had been rendered. A geological survey is also in progress along what is called the central route to the Pacific. The observations and reports at various signal-stations, for the benefit of commerce, have been conducted with success. In the month of October the display of cautionary signals announcing the probable approach of storms was commenced at twenty different ports on the lakes, the Atlantic coast, and the Gulf of Mexico. The signals are so arranged as to be displayed at any hour of the day or night on receipt of warnings by telegraph from the Signal Service Bureau at Washington. on. About one-sixth of the military force of the nation has been retained in the Southern States to assist in carrying out the act of Congress of April 20, 1871, known as the "Enforcement Act." After the passage of this law, orders were issued from the War Department to the following effect: That, whenever occasion shall arise, the regular force of the United States, stationed in the vicinity of any locality where offences described by the aforesaid act, approved April 20, 1871, may be committed, shall, in strict accordance with the provisions of said act, be employed by their commanding officers in assisting the authorized civil authorities of the United States in making arrests of persons accused under the said act; and in preventing the rescue of persons arrested for such cause; in breaking up and dispersing bands of marauders and of armed organizations against the peace and quiet or the lawful pursuits of the citizens in any State. The military forces were occasionally called upon by the United States marshals to aid in making arrests and protecting tribunals before which alleged offenders against the enforcement act were tried. The Indians were comparatively peaceable during the year, with the exception of those belonging to the Apache tribe in Arizona. These committed many outrages upon the inhabitants of the Territory, and upon travellers passing through. Many instances were reported of attacks on dwellings and parties of laborers. Property was stolen or destroyed, cattle driven off, and in many cases men, women, and children killed. The Department of Arizona belongs to the Division of the Pacific, which is under the command of General Schofield, with his headquarters at San Francisco. In the early part of the year, General Stoneman had the immediate command of the department, with a small force of troops, but he succeeded indifferently in protecting the people from the attacks of Indians, and much fault was found with his concentrating his troops at one or two posts, and abandoning others that were regarded by the people as essential to their security. On one occasion the people became so exasperated at the continued atrocities of the Apaches, and the failure of the military to punish them, that they took the matter into their own hands and wreaked a terrible vengeance upon the offenders. A few hundred Apaches had been gath ered near Camp Grant, where they were fed by the officers, on condition of desisting from warfare upon the whites. Some of the Indians appear to have been guilty of depredations and outrages notwithstanding their promises, and a party of white men, with the assistance of 100 Papago Indians, set out on the 28th of April and traced them to their camp. On the 30th the pursuing party fell upon the camp and killed 85 men and women, and carried away 28 children as prisoners. This matter was subsequently investigated by a grand-jury of the Federal court, and a number of indictments were found against persons engaged in the attack on the Indian encampment. In their report the jury make the following statements: We find that the hostile bands of Indians in this Territory are led by many different chiefs who have generally adopted the policy of Cochise, making the points where the Indians are fed the base of their supplies for ammunition, guns, and recruits for their raids, as each hostile chief usually draws warriors from other bands when he makes an important raid upon the citizens, or the neighboring State of Sonora, where they are continually making their depredations. We find that the habit of beastly drunkenness has generally prevailed with few marked exceptions among the officers commanding at Camp Grant, Camp Goodwin, and Camp Apache, where the Apache Indians have been fed; that the rations issued at these camps to the Indians have frequently been insufficient for their support, and unjustly distributed, sometimes bones being issued instead of meat; that one quartermaster of the United States said he made a surplus of twelve thousand pounds of corn in issuing rations to the Indians of Camp Goodwin. We find that a commanding officer, while commanding at Camp Apache, gave liquor to the Apache Indians, longing to the Hospital Department of the United and got beastly drunk with them from whiskey be States Government; also, that another officer of the United States Army gave liquor to the said Indians at said camp; that officers of the United States Army habit of using their official position to break the chasat those camps where the Indians are fed, are in the tity of the Indian women.. That the present regula tions of Camp Grant, with the Apache Indians on |