Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-03-26
ARKANSAS.
Grand FIare-Out of the Radical
Legislature.

Grand FIare-Out of the Radical
Legislature.
Special to the Union and American.
MEMPHIS, March 25.-The special to
the Appeal from Little Rock tonight says
the General Assembly adjourned sine die
at IL M. to-day. The closing scenes
were disorderly, indecorous, unparlia
mentsry and disgraceful, of such char
scter thSt respectable citizens can view
them in no other light than that of shame,
lOathiDg and disgust. The servile crea-
lures of the late Governor rushed pet
measures through with areckless disregard
TO common decency and right never be-
fore attempted by any legislative body
assembled What have they done2
Piled up more taxes for the next two
years than were ever levied and collected
before; rushed through pet measures for
the formation of counties over the protests
of the people and representatives, with
view of creating new offices and making
more taxes; abolished the Office of Solic-
itor General, and left to the Attorney
General the authority to employ all the
counsel he desires for the duties of that
Office, because the late incumbent was
opposed to the last Governor; removed
the disabilities of about 200 pers ons, out
of over 1000 petitioners; made the State
responsible for s., 900, 900 of levee bonds;
created the Office of State Geologist at
an expense of not less than $4,000 per
year; made three new counties, Lincoln,
srber and Nevada; created the Office
Superintendent of the Penitentisry, and
necesitated an outlay of $50, 900 to COM
mence operations; created the offices of
Criminal Judge and Circuit Clerk,
which have cost the people $780,
600 and increased the salaries of several
officers. They have made the election
machinery, so that an INSCRIPTIONS Ex-
ecutive can carry any elections he de-
sires. What they have not done: They
have not reduced the taxes. They have
abolished but one Office and created sew
eral others. They have not reduced the
salary of single official, but have in
creased several. They have not removed
disabilities. They have not done one
single act of retrenchment or reform, and
they are gone. We are at least thank
full for that. This was .Clsyton's Legis-
lsture of retrenchment and reform.
To the Associated Press.
The Avalanche's Little Rock special
tonight says the Legislature adjourned at
noon to-day. The Senate will remain for
several days in executive session, as
court of impeachment and board of
equalization. Both houses were in ses-
sion last night till 2 o'clock. The pro-
ceedings in the House were of the most
disgraceful character. The Clayton ring
having the majority carried every pet
measure sent in by the Senate, regardless
of rules, law or precedent, over the pro-
test of the Conservatives, who saw all
was lost unless the quorum was defeated.
About IL O'Clock sufficient number left
to leave the House below a quorum. A
call of the House was ordered, the doors
locked and the Sergeant alarms dis
patched for the absentees.
APage from Dante's Inferno.
Then followed scene of disorder and
confusion that would have disgrsced q
town meeting. Whisky flowed freely,
cigars were circulated. A dozen members
were addressing the chair at once. In the
midst of it all, one member, Mason,
who could scarcely preserve his equilib-
rum, was speaking promiscuously, when
Barber, colored, rose to q point of order,
and proceeded TO address the chair. Ma
son continued his remarks in loud voice.
The chair could not hear Barber. The
latter left his chair, advanced up the aisle
near the Speakers stand and said:
''Mr. Speaker" his eyes flashing, ''by
God, sir, who has the floor, this drunk
en- man, Mason, or myself7 If he
is not, l will make him take his
seat" advancing toward Mason and pick
ing up book and brandishing it over his
head. At this point the Speaker succeed
ed in restoring the order. Several scenes
equally disgraceful followed.
The Clayton men have succeeded in
passing almost every measure they de-
sired. The disabilities of about two hun
dred persons have been removed. The
taxes are greatly increased. A number
Of new offices are created and salaries
raised instead of being reduced. The reg
istrstion law is 30 amended that the Gov
ernor can carry almost any election oveI
the will of the people, and not one meas