gestion the appropriation was made and the first sixteen volumes have been reprinted. As the appropriation was small only a limited number of each volume were printed (300) and the cost was about $3.50 each. The books are being sold at this price, as the Act requires that they shall be sold at the cost of publication. Some complaint has been made that the price is too high, but the Secretary of State has no authority to reduce the price. Mr. Chas. Jacobson was selected to read the proof on the reprints and has faithfully and expeditiously performed that duty. The appropriation will not be sufficient to pay for printing all of the remaining volumes now out of print, and an additional appropriation should be made to complete the work. The books are identical with the original volumes in all respects.

THE STATE LIBRARY.

Two years ago the Secretary of State-in speaking of the State library, and the bad condition of the rooms in which hundreds of thousands of books are stored, many of them being for sale by the State--suggested that the janitor of the Secretary of State should not be an attache of the Attorney General in the same capacity, as it does not permit him to give the attention to the library it should have. The rooms could be kept cleaner and the books dusted frequently if the janitor was not called upon to do other work under direction at times of the Attorney General, who certainly prefers to have a janitor exclusively for his own department. The small appropriation of three hundred dollars made two years ago for the care of the library was judiciously expended and of great benefit to the same. The State sells about three thousand dollars worth of books each year, and distributes thousands of the reports of the different departments free of charge.

DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE.

The position of Deputy Secretary of State should be filled by a man who is fully conversant with all the duties of the office. In addition to clerical ability he should be a man of general knowledge and large acquaintance among the people of the State. This position during the last two years has been filled by Hon. Jno. W. Crockett, formerly Secretary of State, who was prevailed upon to accept the position notwithstanding it was against his business interests to do so. Mr. Crockett is an affable and popular gentleman, and in the late campaign

he offered for Railroad Commissioner and was elected by an overwhelming majority. He is qualified to fill any position within the gift of the people, and yet he has been forced to serve as Deputy Secretary of State at a salary of $125 a month because the appropriation only covers that amount. The Deputy State Treasurer receives a salary of $150 a month, the Deputy Auditor receives a salary of $150 a month, the Governor's Private Secretary receives $133.33 a month, but the responsible position of Deputy Secretary of State is paid only $125 a month. There never was a single reason that could have been advanced that would justify such a discrimination, and the General Assembly would honor itself by raising the salary at least to a footing with the salaries paid other clerks in similar positions. Mr. Crockett has been an efficient deputy and has been worth much more than the law allowed. Mr. G. W. Hendricks has accepted the position of Deputy Secretary of State, to succeed Mr. Crockett, and he is a bright and popular young man, having a complete knowledge of and ability to perform the duties required of him in this position. It would be eminently proper for the General Assembly to make his salary at least $150 a month, and it should be done before the session closes. The very best class of men should be selected for the position.

CONCLUSION.

In closing my first term as Secretary of State, for which I was nominated and elected without opposition, either in the primary or general election, I wish to say my relations with my fellow officers have been uniformly pleasant. It has been a pleasure to me to serve the people of Arkansas in this capacity, and I trust I have met the expectations of the friends who aided my ambition in this direction. I have noticed with pride the increase in the business of the department, and wish to thank my associates in the office for the efficient help they have given me at all times in the administration of its affairs.

Should the Legislature approve the recommendations made to them in this report I shall feel deeply grateful, knowing, at the same time, they have done just what is right for them to do. Respectfully,

O. C. LUDWIG,
Secretary of State.

Little Rock, Ark., December 15, 1906.