The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-01-08
WASHINGTON.
Official Report of fairs In Arkansas
WASHINGTON. Jan. z,

WASHINGTON, Jan. Z.
The Republican Senators held eau
Gus this morning on the financial ques-
ton, involving the consideration of
Senator Morton's resumption OF specie
payment bill, and Mr.. Edwards resolu-
ton declaring that the 8 20 bonds
should be paid in gold. No conclusion
was arrived at. About forty members
were present.
Senator Stewart received telegram
to-day informing him that he was unan-
imOusly nominated in Union caucus
ted States from Nevada. The Legisla-
ture consists of 50 members, nine only
of whom are Democrats.
The following official report relating
to the affairs in Arkansas, has been re-
ceived at Gen. Grants headquarter@,
from Gen. Horace Porter, of his staff,
dated:
LITTLE Rock. ARK, Dec. 2G, 1865.
GENERAL:-Gen. Babcock and ar
rived here two days ago. So many con-
Trajectory reports have been circulated
in regard TO Gov. ClayLon's militia that
1t may be well for yon to know the
facts. The present State government
was certainly in some danger previous
to the Presidential election. Senator
Barker has been shot and wounded
badly. Mr.. Upham, OF the lower House,
has been wounded; Mr.. Hines, men,
Der of Congress and an agent OF the
Freedmon's Bureau, was Killed, and
the United States Marshals were driven
from their posts by threats. Senator
Rice and others had to sleep In the
State House under guard for fear of
assassination. The Governor wisely
refrained from taking any violent
measures until after the election, fear
ing that the opposition might make
capital out of it. As soon rs it was
over he organized the militia force of
about eight hundred men, one fourth
(colOred) under General Catterson in the
south west, and Upham in the north
east, with orders 10 live of the country,
taking what was absolutely necessary
and giving vouchers. His intention is
to pay all loyal holders ofvouchers and
no others. Two assassins have already
been executed by sentence of a military
Commission, seventeen others are in
prison and great number have been
ruu out of the State, but the best result
l can see is the disposition of all busi-
ness men to voluntarily enroll as
posse pledged to assist the Sheriff to
arrest lawless characters if the gov
ernment will relieve them from
martial law. He has accepted many
OF such pledges and martial law
exists only in parts of seven coun-
cies. The entire Conservative wing of
the Republican party were opposed to
the declaration of martial law, lnclud-
ing Gen. Smith, u. s. A, Commanding
troops. They admitted the reign OF
terror established by the rebels, but
wanted the United States TO make the
arrests. Gov. Clayton's arguments in
favor OF his policy, are as follows: The
United States troops do not know the
people and the country. The lawless
behave while the United States troops
are in the vicinity, and break out worse
. 1l,n,, ban LAM hn1
are generally anxious to have them, as
it creates an expenditure of money in
their midst, from which they reap a
benefit. The militia Furnishes all the
disloyal, and then eXtorts pledges from
them to respect the laws as these peO-
pie have threatened to break up the
State government as soon AS the U. 5.
troops are removed. This teaches them
that the State is able TO protect itself.
The militia has been under tOlerable
good control, and the plundering re-
ported in the press, is the taking nj sup
plies under order. One negro militia
man committed Il rape on white wO-
man, but was Immediately arrested by
Gen. CatterSOn, who seems to be very
good man, tried, convicted and eXecu-
ted. The Governors policy has, no
doubt. seriously interfered with bust
ness where martial law has been pro-
claimed, and injured business men of
all parties. IlbuCt' OppOSllIOu lIOIIl
loyHIists. II has inlerfered with
travel; taken off hands for the mi
litin at II season when they were
badly needed and created many parties;
il has however accomplished much
more good than the most sangUine
expected, and General Smith acknOw-
lodged that he thought the Governors
Judgment was better than his, and the
result would fully justify the action of
the former. The Governor is now dis
posed to relieve each county from mar
tial law as soon as it can be done nfely.
The Governor is certainly man of
intelligence and nerve, and has lahOred
under difficulties that wOnld have deter
ed less able officer. -Four hundred
stand of arms were seized by the Ku-
Elux and threWn OFF boat below
Memphis. He could seldom secure
good men for officers and in the eastern
counties he had to depend entirely upon
the negroes for soldiers.
Very Respectfully,
HORACE PORTER, a. ID. G.