New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-09
HOME CORRESPONDENCE.
ARKANSAS.
A SEVERE CRITICISM OF GOV. CLAYToN's AD-
MINISTRATI0N.

world there exists to-day in all broad domain not
more peaceabe community than is TO BIO found In Ar
Kansas All previous impressions lying statements to
the contrary such may feel attracted by tho saubr
GUS unparalleled richness Of the lands OF Ar
kansas will find themselves welcomed as kindly and
treated as Hospitality anywhere In America. This
know from personal experience having just returned TO
the capital from trip OF 400 miles on horseback and
Alone extending from the line OF the Indian Nation
| midway between tho Missouri line and the Arkansas
River eastward almost tho entire State. Ihough
presume my worst enemy will scarce accuse mo OF
either leaning the sghtestdegree towards Democracy
OF reserve expression OF political opinion, II was
treated with the utmost courtesy and respect
found Also throughout the entire journey mono but the
best OF feeling manifest among the people. Though In
many Of the counties much divided among themselves
during the Rebellion, and C0nfederaes or mountain
Feds those In the Arkansas Federal regiments were
termed mutually inicng tho worst OF injuries upon
each other to-day all Of I'll feeling pertaining to the
same seems to have become entirely obliterated. 3d.
too OF present political differences. Republicans. Rad
Gals There is generally accredited distinction between
them here), Conservatives, and Democrats, all were
found getting along harmoniously together Whatever
OF III feeling wasmanifest at all was found among the
Republicans themselves. / am aware tins may seem
strange but undeniaby true that to-day, In Arkan
sas whatever OF unkndness and unfrendness is seen In
political circles is found exist In the ranks OF the Re-
publican party.
While differences OF opinion may exist as to abstract
causes upon one point least fully fOGrfhs OF the
Republicans themselves are fully agreed That one point
what they do not hesitate to proclaim the miserable
failure OF the administration OF Gov Clayton. While 1t Is
universally conceded that administration ever ex-
isted Arkansas that possessed ho OF the OPP
portunties and glorious it equally
admitted with shame and humiliation by Republicans In
general that possessed little OF confidence
and much OF contempt in fact as does the present
From his arst Inauguration, claimed by the leading
Republicans OF tho State, Gov. Clayton has showna
strange yaccaton of character total want OF reliance
I'm those by whom he was surrounded, disposition to
desert his tried friends their hour OF need and shit
upon them tho responsibilities OF his acts; an APP
parenty insane Jealousy OF all prominent Republicans,
and an exhibition OF bad faith. and, even as claimed
corruption that has alenated tho leading party men,
until he can scarcely be said TO have single friend left
As is too generally the in latter days Gov Clayton
proposed from the first TO his Gubernaorial chair
merely q stepping stone to the United states Senate
Each and every OF his administration has been
looking that end. The whole OF an appointing power
as absolute In its control that OF the Autocrat OF the
Russas. and extending even to town constables ana
Justices Of the Peace, has been used with that view.
Naturally enough, the men selected TO fill tho positions
mostly nOtorouSy incapable and to say the least OF
IL, OF very little moral worth. Not few, indeed, are
men seldom heard OF In tho counties to which
they were appointed until thrust upon the people rs rep
resentaiiyes Of the administration OF Gov. Clayton
In but a very few throughout the State have
the Republicans themselves been able to bring pressure
enough upon the Governor to succeed in getting
appointed man OF whom they were not ashamed. In
such isolated the appOnee Ia found not only at
open variance WITH but where possessed of moral cour
age proposing open reputation OF tho Administration
Except in such cases, which do not amount to in
twenty not appOinee in the state but Is understood
required to sell his manhood for his posi-
ton. Not only were they required to pledge their In
uence TO Gov. Clayton, but to assist In opposing and
running each and every one TO whom he was opposed.
During session OF the Genera Assemby for in-
stance, the Hon. Mr.. Brooks one OF the ablest
Republicans in tho State, was understood as aspirant
for the United States Senate Few indeed OF the ten cir
cut school superintendants will deny being required as
price Cor their confirmation by tho state Senate to as
sst In defeating Mr. Brooks. Tho Hon. Mr. Thomas. SUI
perncndant OF Public Works. too, will scarce deny the
admission that for the sake Of retaining his office no was
guilty Of many monsrOus lie In giving pledges look
ing to the ruin OF Mr. Brooks which In his heart ho did
not intend to keep and for which he trusted his God
would not hold him accountable" The Hon. A. MELON
aid the present worthy incumbent, also understood
as willing 70 be reelected 20 the United States Senate
Though I'm Washington little indeed left uudone to
defeat him In his absence Mr.. Mcdonald il President
and chief owner OF the Merchants National Bank Of
Little Rock This baukins well known, waSsthe main
suuport Of the present Governments through lts
hour OF need Sr. Mcdonald. his wekndwn liberal.
y and desire FOR the success the Republican party,
literally carried rs managers aud candidates upon his
shoulders during the whole Of the campaign Gov Clay
ton himself was indebted 70 Mr. Mcdonald Tor means to
fact the state Government could not nave turned
wheel Despite all this however through the agency OF
Coy. Clayton alone, Is well known here, the Mer-
chants National Bank forced into temporary sus-
penslon was this done through honest desire to pro-
isct the interest OF the Staiel from It, on the
trary. IL exhibition OF bad faith entered into
wholly aud solely without doubt In hopes to effect
the pecuniary ruin and through II blast tho
reputation aud political prospects OF Mr. Mcdonald.
With tho failure OF the bank wac to come the rrerieya
bio rum OF the State Treasurer, Mr. Page, who, well
known honest man, il looked upon as check upon
the schemes OF the Administration About $1,000 OF the
school fund in the hands OF the bank AS soon rs
closed the Governor ordered distribution OF TINS Gnd
Friends OF the Treasurer demonstrated TO when the GOV
ernOr replied that II Mr. Page ground beneath the
locomotive he had 10 Dusdess on inc track Luckily Tor
cured the school fund from loss and tho subsequent
opening OF the bank defeated all attempts In that drec
In filing the multitude OF appointments throughout the
State but little or no attention. was PAD 10 lhe wishes OF
tho people, Republicans or otherwise During the last
Winter, for instance the General Assembly caused the
tho citizens held an election and sent the Hist
OF chosen officers to Gov. Clayton for continuation
Not single one upon the list eds confirmed. |
ON the contrary the Governor proceeded to I'LL out list
OF his own, Ignoring tho wishes Of the people entirely,
county iii the bill or course all this is far from pleas
ingto Republicans IN general, who also express them.
the Hon. ex Gov Murphy than whom "A stanch Re-
publican honest man IA not be found TO me- ut hsown
every honest Republican Madison County, and
OF eight Will admit that the most lttng place for
thing which gives great oenso to Republicans in general
Is the under the present order OF things have
none but subsidized Republican press IN tho state.
With perhaps exceptions, not journal Of tho
kind but lie absolutely controlled by One.man
power Strange as this may seem, IL Ia easily ex-
planned. by an act OF the General Assembly all public
printing, including all legal natters given to such
Journals as the may select This IL not only
given out at most extravagant rates but regulated IA
TO quantity IA well by the GovcrnOr. In order 70
secure press his interest tho printing OF two, four, or
six counties tho may require gathered together
I'm favorable locality and given out for the support
so-caed Republican paper. This paper OF course rs
10 ia wholly depcnen upon tho Governor for It's support
Is but mere puppct In his hands. Right wrong. his
behess and his alone must be 0beycd and that too to his