The Van Buren press., 1873-06-03


was informed that the lieutenant governor
had been tampering with the ihliitia' ne
lives about l50 miles from the capital, and had
gone home day or two before LETT am
confident he had no idea of what the govern
or contemplated, nor had he in any way IN
terfered with the militia.
Reporter-IIow will the Leading republicans
OF the state be likely TO regard the action OF
the governors
Senator Clayton-Speaking for myself |
can only consider that ii is a pity that the re-
port Of disturbances should have gone abroad
in this way. The country Will get an idea
that we are in a condition OF anarchy ad,
yocated Gov. BaNter's nomination ana uFgeu
his election in good earnest We nominated
him in Difference to the wishes OF that pol-
ton of the people who were deshous el get
ting some one at the head OF the state govern
ment who could not be pointed at as carpet
bagger Gov Baxter is "A native OF North
Carolina, and has resided in Arkansas for the
past twenty years Before the war he was
| STAKEHOLDER, but he took decided stand Tor
| the union at the outset, and fairly sustained
| it to the close. | am sorry to see him putting
on this hostile appearance to fight phantom
There was no court sitting, no application
| could. therefore, have been made for writ OF
quo warranto, even If such appiication-
| which am confident was never contemplated
| had been made. there was no decision ana
no effort to oust the governor. | believe the
governor ofa state ought TO be more jealous
ofits reputation than to give occasion Tor tne
circulation OF such unfounded rumofs. lie
should not be the first TO send abroad the no.
| ton that all was anarchy and disorder. Bat
my friendly relations with Gov. Baxter force
upon me the conclusion, from what know OF
him, that the stories are greatly exaggerated.
Reporter-Sinee the effort to remove him
could be based only so far as the reports
speak, upon alleged Irregularities at the cleo
ton, how could il be possible to have Lieut.
Gov. Smith succeed him?
Senator Clayton-1he talk OF putting III
smith is absurd Mr Smith ran behind him,
and if he were oustcd Brooks would be his
successor. The state Is in good condition, and
railroads are being constructed rapidly which
will tend, in very large measure to develop
its resources
Learning from Senator Clayton that ex
Gov. lladley was also stopping at the st.
Nicholas the reporter next called upon that
gentleman. He left Little Rock on Friday
morning, having seen the governor the even
ing before. lie tod the reporter the whole
history Of the legislation in which the mis-
understanding now existing between Gov.
Baxter and some leading republicans first had
its origin. 1t all came about through the gov
ernor's opposition to railroad bill, prema-
turely expressed while the measure was still
pending in the legislature, and on account Of
his numerous democratic appointments.
Reporter-Did you take issue with him in
regard to the measure which brought upon
Him the censure of others?
Ex-Gov. Hadley-No | tiled rs friend Of
his and theirs to reconcile the existing differ
ences, which never considered Of very seri-
Gus consequences.
Reporter-lIow far had the breach gone to-
ward disorganizing the party?
IaAl hon 10 tiN,,
for any such assumption. The republican pa.
per there had expressed some disapproval Of
the governors action, and the democrats seiz-
ed upon the opportunity to court his favor.
An effort was made to add importance to the
matter, and to poison his mind against his
friends. The sequel shows that he appears to
have listened to their cOunses. | saw him on
Wednesday last, and expected to meet him on
the following evening, after my return from
my place in the country, to which was then
going. To my great surprise learned on my
return that he had surrounded himself with a
guard in anticipation Of a writ from a court
which was not in session, and would not be
be for some days Not crediting fully the re-
ports heard, | proceeded late on Thursday
night to the capitol. As approached the en-
trance some one called out halt and halt
ed. "Whe comes there?' asked the voice, |
answered, and said | wanted to see the COVER
nor. 1t was dark where ! stood and two or
three forms moved about as if consulting to-
| gether for few moments, and as | approach
ed nearer to them | saw that they were all
democrats, and the greater number were ex-
confederate soldiers. | knew them all and
was permitted to go to the rooms of the exec
utivc. | found the governor surrounded by
about twenty more of the same stripe. 1t
seemed ridiculous 10 me and asked the gov
ernOr what it meant; what his idea was for
calling an armed guard about him Then he
told me of the quo warranto proceeding, (Which
he said he had Information of and would re-
sist. | endeavored to convince him that his
fears were groundless, but he would have it
that an effort was being made to turn him out
| left him in this humor and started for New
York the following morning, as l had preyi-
ously intended.
Mr. IIadley conversed further and more full
ly about the matter his opinion being that in
the end Gov. Baxter would appear in ridic-
ulous light, when he had learned as he must
ultimately, that his fears are unfounded.