The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-03-17
WAYS THAT ARE DARK" &c.

WAYS THAT ARE DARK" &C.
We have been trying to keep the
run Of political affairs in Arkansas,
but it always happens that just when
we begin to think we understand the
situation, along comes later dispatch
that upsets the whole business and
makes the bother worse than before.
That man CLAYTON has been making
terriblerumpus out there, and sometimes
it looks as though he had been whipped
and sometimes he'appears to be on top
again. 1t would puzzle Philadelphia
lawyer to follow all the intricacies Of
the case and find out exactly how mat
tiers stand. We have tried to keep the re-
cord pretty closely, but are by no means
sure that we have not omitted two or
three revolutions OF the contendlng
parties. As nearly as we can make
out, the following is a history of the
case down to present writing:
CLAYTON, who is Radical carpet
Dagger, was elected Governor, by virtue
of test oaths, registration laws, &c, &c,
a process we all understand in West
Virginia. A Conservative named
JOHNSON was chosen President OF the
Senate, and, e.r.o6fcio, Lieutenant Gov
ernor Of the State. CLAYTON then CO.
quoted with the Conservative members
OF the Legislature for their support as
a candidate for the United States Sen
atorship, and, in consideration Of max
ing Mr.. JOHNSON Governor, the Con-
servatives voted for and aided in the
election OF CLAYTON as Senator. But,
instead OF ratifying the bargain that
had been made, rs soon as his own
election was made secure, CLAYTON
denied The legality of JouNsoN's cleo
lion, and procured, or was about to
procure, a decision Of the Supreme
Court ousting him from office. The
House of Delegates then prepared arti-
cles OF impeachment against CLAYTON
and two Of the Judges of the Supreme
Court, but when they came to present
them for trial by the Senate, a majority
of the Senators bolted, leaving no quo
rum. Matters remained in this condi-
ton until, by some peculiar legerde-
main, the articles of Impeachment were
Withdrawn, the legality Of JOHNSON s
election was admitted and CLAYTON re-
signed the United States Senatorship
and avowed his Intention Of remaining in
the Governors Office, and taking care OF
his party friends. A few days later he
seems to have effected an arrangement
with JOHNSON that he should resign the
Lieutenant Governorship and accept an
appointment as Secretary of State, there
being a vacancy in that office. This
was accomplished; JoHNsoN's resigna,
ton was accepted and he was sworn in
as Secretary of State and entered upon
the discharge of his duties in that ca
pacity. HADLEY, one Of CLAYToN's
men and as Radical as he, was elected
Lieutenant Governor. CLAYTON then
re-eutered the ring as a candidate for
United States Senator and on last Tues
day was reelected, receiving a majority
of seventeen votes on joint ballot
HADLEY succeeds CLAYTON as Governor,
and now JOHNSON is to be turned out
of the Secretaryship of State, because
the Constitution provides that no exec
utive officer shall be eligible to any
office during the term for which he
was elected. Senator MCDONALD says
that CLAYTON will be refused admission
to seat in the United States senate
because of the many frauds in his cleo
ton, and Governor HADLEy says that
he intends to make his administration
conservative.
This was the condition of affairs at
last advices, but there is no telling what
fresh complications may arise. Itap
pears that CLAYTON holds the winning
hand at present, but it is possible that
he may be euchred yet. The whole
case, however, affords an illustration OF
ways that are dark" and tricks.t that
no heather Chinee ever dreamed o..
In the spring Of 1861, ia Leavenworth,
Kansas, POWELL CLAYTON voluntarily
declared in the presence Of a number
OF gentlemen, one whom is now