Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 02.djvu/30

ARKANSAS. the bulk of the church membership. Of the other churches represented, the Presbyterian and the Christian are the only ones that have obtained any considerable following.

The population by decades is as follows: 1820, 14,000; 1830, 30,000; 1840, 97,000; 1850, 209,000; 1860, 435,000; 1870, 484,000; 1880, 802,000; 1890, 1,128,000; 1900, 1,311,000. In 1820 Arkansas ranked twenty-sixth in order of population, and has since varied but little from this position, being twenty-fifth in 1900. The State ranks tenth in respect to negro population, the rate of increase for this class being greater than it is for the whites. In 1880 they numbered 210,000; in 1890, 309,000; and in 1900, 366,000. The rate of increase for the whole population during the last decade was 16.3, as against 20.7 for the United States. There are 24.7 people to the square mile, the density being a little less than that of the United States. As in other Southern States, foreign immigration has been unimportant, the total number of immigrants in 1900 being but 14,289. The excess of males in the population is 39,000. The State is in striking contrast with the nation as a whole, in the relative proportions of the rural and urban population. But eight places exceed 4000 in number of inhabitants, and contain but 6.9 of the total population. Cities.—In 1900, Little Rock, the capital, had a population of 38,307; Pine Bluff, 11,147; Fort Smith, 10,903; Hot Springs, 9412. The State has seven representatives in Congress. For population of the State by counties, see the back of below the map.

The present constitution, which is the third for the State, was adopted by a vote of the people in 1874. Either House may propose an amendment to the constitution, which, if approved by a majority of both houses and by a majority of the voters at the next general election, is adopted. To enjoy the right of suffrage one must have resided in the State one year, in the county six months, and in the precinct or ward one month, while an amendment passed in 1893 further restricts the suffrage to those who have paid a poll tax. Elections are held every two years, on the first Monday in September. Some further provisions of the constitution are: “No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this State, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any court.” Six per cent. is the legal rate of interest, and all contracts for a greater rate than 10 per cent. are void, both principal and interest being forfeited. The property of the wife is not liable for the debts of her husband. The principal causes for divorce are adultery, habitual drunkenness, cruel treatment, or desertion for one year.

Legislative.—The representatives to the State Legislature are elected for a term of two years, and cannot exceed 100 in number, each county being entitled to one member, while the extra members are distributed among the more populous counties. Thirty and thirty-five are respectively the minimum and maximum limits to the number of senators, who are elected from districts of contiguous counties, serving for four years. The session of the legislature is limited to sixty days, unless extended by a two-thirds vote of each House. The governor may call an extra session.

Executive.—The governor, secretary of state,

treasurer, auditor, and attorney-general are each elected for a term of two years. The governor's veto may be overridden by a majority vote of each House. If the office of governor becomes vacant twelve months before the expiration of the term, a new election is held to fill the vacancy—if the vacancy occurs within that period, the president of the Senate completes the term.

Judiciary.—There is a supreme court of five members, each elected for eight years; a number of circuit courts, each member of which is elected for four years; a probate and county court for each county; and at least two justices of the peace for each township — the justices of the peace and county judges being elected for terms of two years. The General Assembly also vests such jurisdiction as may be deemed necessary in municipal corporation courts, courts of common pleas, where established, and when deemed expedient, and establishes separate courts of chancery.

Local Government.—Each county has a sheriff, assessor, coroner, treasurer, and surveyor, each elected for two years. Each township has a constable, who is elected for two years. The Legislature may create other local offices. The county court, together with a majority of the justices of the peace, levies road taxes when the people have voted in favor of such a measure. The Legislature provides, by general laws, for the organization of cities (which may be classified) and incorporated towns, and can place certain restrictions upon them.

Militia. — The organized militia has a total strength of 1900, 1600 of whom belong to the infantry. The only limitation to the extent of organization is that there shall not be more than four companies in any one county. The census of 1900 reported 250,000 males of militia age within the State.

The name Arkansas (pronounced Ar&prime;kansaw) was that of an Indian tribe found by the first explorers within the limits of the present State. About 1685, Frenchmen settled at Arkansas Post. Arkansas formed a part of Louisiana Territory till 1812, and of Missouri Territory till 1819, when it was organized as Arkansas Territory, including Indian Territory. On June 15, 1836, it became a State. Though settled chiefly from the South, Arkansas was fairly divided between Unionists and Secessionists in the early part of 1861; but President Lincoln's call for troops led to the passing of an ordinance of secession on May 6, 1861. The Confederates were defeated at Pea Ridge, March 6-7, 1862, and at Prairie Grove, December 7. Helena was occupied by Union forces, and Arkansas Post was captured on January 11, 1863. With the fall of Little Rock, September 10, 1863, the Confederate power in the State collapsed. In October and November Union delegates from twenty counties met at Fort Smith to take steps to reorganize the State Government, and in January, 1864, a convention met at Little Rock and framed a constitution, which was accepted by the people, but rejected by Congress. Under the Reconstruction Act of 1867, a constitutional convention met January 7, 1868, at Little Rock, and framed a constitution, which was ratified March 13, by a small majority. On June 22 the State was readmitted to the Union. In April, 1874, an armed collision occurred between the adherents of two rival claimants for the governorship.