The Van Buren press., 1871-03-14
ARKANSAS LEGISLATURE.
little Rock Gazette Reportil

others, by whom we are informed of the
abundance and sufiiciency of proof at
hand, the committee can get no informa
ton whatever. And such information as
the committee have been able to obtain
is, in the opinion of the committee, en-
tirely inadequate to sustain the charges
against the governor, and too frivolous
to attempt further prosecution Of this
case.
And believing, as we did when we voted
to impeach Governor Clayton, that it is
not only the right, but the sworn duty,
of representative Of the people to pro
tect their rights, by thorough investiga-
ton of the official acts of their servants,
however high the position they occupy,
we here take occasion to say, with the
lights then before us, we would do so
again.
The committee entered upon the dis
charge of the duties imposed upon them,
with full determination that to the best
Of their ability they would vindicate the
rights of the people; but while they are
ready and willing to vindicate the peoples
rights, they are unwilling to prosecute
this case further, when they have no
grounds to believe that they can, from
any proof within the knowledge or reach
Of the committee, prosecute this case to
successful termination.
In view Of the facts above stated, and
the further fact that the people demand
at our hands such relief as we are able to
give by legislation, the committee would
respectfully recommend the adoption OF
the following resolution: :.
Resolved, That further proceedings in
the impeachment of Powell Clayton be
dispensed with, and that the action of
this house, heretofore taken, be set aside
and cancelled; that the senate be inform
ed OF the action of this house in the
premises, by the clerk of the house, and
that the committee, as the board of man
ayers, be discharged.
G.. B. NEAL,
CHARLES MINOR,
JOSEPH A. MEEK.
Mr. Chamberlain moved that the re
port be adopted. Carried.
Ayes-Alexander, Barbour, Barrow,
Basdsn, Cate, Chamberlain, Clayton, Gle
land Cohn, Espy, Garner, Goad, Gray,
Hasllins, Haddock, Hale, Harley, Harris,
j. W., Harris, w. c., Hazledine, Holi-
baugh, James, Johnson, Joslyn, Marr,
Mayo, Meek. Minor, Morgan, Neal,
O'Neil, Parker, Peck, Pettigrew, Polk,
Freddy, Prigmore, Robinson, Steel, Ste
phens, Taylor, Wagner, Waters, Wiley,
Wilson, Thos., Wilson, w. E., Wood,
Young, Mr.. Speaker-49.
Noes-Battle, Crump, Eubanks, ,Fricks,
Glass, Ham, Herring, House, jenkins,
Mason, McLendon, Owen, Padgett,
Palmer, Smith, Sumpter, Tygart Wat
son--lS.
Absent and not voting-Bethel, Full
ton, Grady, Harvey, Hawkins, Howard,
Lane, Orr, Pilkington, Pittman, Rozell,
Scales, Thompson, Webb-l4.
The chair read the following commun-
ication:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
STATE OF ARKANSAS,
Little Rock, March A, 1917
Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen Of the House
Of Representatives:
On the 10th of January, 1871, it was
ascertained that was elected, by the gen
eral assembly United States senator by a
vote of ninety four to nine, on joint bal.
lot. l not only received the united sup
port Of my own party, but many of the
opposition members voted for me- This
large and almost unanimous vote, to my
self and the outside world, could not be
construed otherwise than as an indorse-
ment of my official action, and, | may
here state, that | felt highly compliment
ed by it.
At the time of my election by the gen
eral assembly, the republican members
of the legislature seemed to be thorough
" united, and had reason to hope that
the lieutenant governor would pursue
such q course as would commend him
self to the confidence of the republican
members. BY subsequent events, / have
been forced to the unwilling conviction
that many Of the members who then sup.
ported me were actuated more by a de
SlIc w piaCc pSiSoli III IHc SACNuVi'0 Z
chair who would carry out policy ad.
verse to the wishes Of large majority of
the republican party, than to have me
represent the State in the United States
senate. In other words, many of the
members who supported me, deemed the
control of the State Government of more
Importance to the consummation Of their
wishes than representation in the senate
of the United States.
At the time referred to, both branches
of the general assembly were under the
control Of the republican party; but since
that time q coalition seems to have been
formed of few republicans, under the
leadership of the lieutenant governor and
the entire conservative element of both
houses. / can but regard this coalition
as being ant.republican, and having for
its object the overthrow of the present
State Government on the one part, and
the qualification of private malice and re-
venge on the other With this convic.
tion cannot, by any act of mine, be iu-
strumental in placing in the executive
chair the leader of this coalition. Were
to consult the promptings of selfish
ambition, rather than the perpetuation OF
the principles of the party which has hon.
ored me with its confidence and that saw
o5 tba State to tho Union I should NJ.