Article Text
For the Arkansas Intelligencer. Financial Arrangement. Messre. Editors: I have just seen a gentleman who has spent a few weeks about the circles of Little Rock, and from him I have learned a few financial facts, worthy of mem. ory. These are the more important to the country, as they give certain indications that weare to have an in creased circulation of the "better currency." The first of these financial operations relates to the manner of paying creditors their dues. The last Legisture, under some pretext or other, sent William Field to New York, to superintend some law suit.On the return of Mr. F. he presented his account for five hundred dollars for services. Although, it would seem that, by the late bill "putting the State Bankinto liquidation" that admirable plan, by which the circula. tion of Arkansas Bank paper, was to have been so soon abolished-the Commissioners and Receivers ought long since to have entered upon the discharge of their duties; thereby superceding the old Directors; yet the old board, ordered Mr. Field to be credited with fifteen hundred dollars, on his notes due the State Bank-thereby settling that, if they had five hundred dollars to pay Field, he might have purchased fifteen hundred collars. All concernea in this matter certainly acted from disinterested motives; for I understand that Charles J. Bertrand, a director, rendered an account for about seventy days services to the Bank, on some like mission--at five dollars per day. This bill was tested by the same crucible: and Mr. Bertrand received a credit for thrice $350. Col. Hempstead, the Bank attor ney, a very conscientious man, presented and had allowed, an account, over and above his standing salery of five hundred dollars, for services rendered in the Supreme Court-these of course uot being embraced in his office of Bank attorney, which bound him to every service-and this five hundred dollars was multiplied by three, and the Col. received credit for fifteen hundred dollars. I was at first incredulous to these reports; but I have the statements upon too high authority to doubt that they are substantially correct. If however any of the gentlemen concerned will deny the state. ments, I shall be happy to correct any error in rela. tion to a matter which 1 have second handed. I have been surprised at the silence of the Little Rock press on the subject; and can only account for it upon the principle that, the Gazette does not wish to anticipate its Bank history. Since the above paragraph was written I have seen a gentleman, who says that, the Editors of Little Rock, have a shade of interest in this matter, which renders silence the better policy. The last Legislature contract. cd for the printing of the laws, and journals; and of course made the contract for par funds. But after the division of the specie on hand, among the members, there was little left to pay for the printing of their proceedings; so the Legislature left the executive officera o manage his matter as they best could. The Governor's cabinet are more ingenius than Capt. Ty ler's. They can get along without his ExcellencyThey soon rectified the Arkansas money--somewbat after the manner of the bank operation, with this dif ference; that the Auditor uses a different multiplier Mr. Colby for instance certifies an account of thousand dollars, according to contract-the Auditor multiplies by 21-thus for a thousand dollars, he receives a warrant of $2,500. Now Judge Brown, the other day, a man whose services at a single riding, are more laber. ious, expensive than a pleasure trip to New York, was compelled to receive a quarter's salary, in Arkansas Real Estate Bank bills at par. Yet there is as much law for paying him two and a half for one, as there is for paying a printer or any other creditor of the Government. I am curious to know when the Bank circulation is to be consumed at this rate. I have looked over the Bank laws in vain, to learn by what authority of law, these proceedings are had I am told that all the money in the Treasury is ex. hausted. but that the balance of the surplus revenue is placed at the disposal of the Treasurer. And pray what authority does this givo to the keeper of the cash in Bank, to pay out worthless rags at any price? If the money is received as a deposite-ar not depositors to be paid in the kind of funds deposited? If viewed as a part of the Bank capital, is there any law for with drawing that capital in irredeemable funds? Col. So vier'anotion of financiering was neverso abused as this. And by what authority are Arkeneas bills paid out by the Bank? Ought not the cancel hammer to have UNO. passed over them long since?