The Van Buren press., 1873-06-03
POLITICS IN ARKANSAS.
An Interview with Senator Clayton and
Ex Gov Hadley.
From The New York Times, May -. J


and that he had determined 10 hold to his Of
| iice by force, and 50 far had all this proceeded
| that Ii rumurs were 10 be accepted as true,the
| state must be on the verge Of anarchy. Ic
! ascertain how much foundation there was fOl
| these stories, a reporter OF the Times called
yesterday upon EX GOV, Clayton, of Arkan-
| sas. who now represents bis state as senator
/ In the nationsl councils. Senator Clayton was
! stopping at the 1t. Nicholas hotel, having left
! Little Rock on his way to Washington, on the
| 10th nst. Finding that he was in his room
! the reporter announced the object OF his VS.
| it. and the following conversation ensued;
! Roporter-Seeing that you are reported as
being actively interested in the rumored po-
| ltical troubles in Arkansas, | have called to
make some inquiries about the condition OF
| affairs.
| Senator Clayton-Wcll sir, | have no OBJ
lection to telling you all know.
Reporter-lou are said to be opposed to
Gov Baxter and. in fact, leading on Il move
ment to dsplace him.
senator Ciayton--The papers say so,but such
| ID not the fact, nor is there any movement on
foot that am aware Of having his removal
for its object,
RepOrter-llow is Gov. Baxter regarded Dy
the people there?
senator Clayton-IIe is an old citizen of the
state and is much respected. When | was
first elected governor appointed him circuit
! Judge; that was in 1865.
Reporter How long did he fill that Office
Senator Clay About four years:
Reporter-Iwould like to get some Inform
alton in regard to his election, rs that seems
to be the point about which the present re-
ported difficulties arise.
Senator rClayton--Well sir after his election
the democrats and liberals circulated the re-
pert that he was not fairly elected. l know
he was. A feeble effort was made TO prevent
~ -. a 4. tad 70 mot M
After he was Installed went to Washington,
and on my return in April, he was opposed
by a portion of the legislature, misunder-
standing having arisen on some question OF
legislation. Those relations continued dur
inc the entire session, and Brooks, the "liber-
all candidate, thinking it a good opportuni-
ty for the recognition of his claims, made an
effort to contest the election.
Reporter-llow far did he proceed in the
mattery
Senator Clayton-Thc permission of both
branches of the Legislature being necessary to
commence the contest, Mr.. Brooks made ap-
plcation to the lower house for leave to insti-
tute his proceedings.
Reporter-What was the result Of his appli-
cation?
Senator Clayton-the permission he asked
was denied to him, only seven members vot-
ing for it.
Reporter-what was the political complex
ion Of the lower house at the time?
Senator Clayton-There were thirty -four
democratic members there who had been
elected on the same ticket on which Brooks
ran.
Reporter--llov is their action then accoun-
ted for.
Senator Clayton-Brools was always dis
tasteful to the democrats. He was looked up
on as a thorough radical and a carpet bagger.
He is native of Iowa, | believe and was
chaplain OF coored regiment during the
war The democrats, therefore, have no love
for him, and iis adoption by the liberals "
was an effort to capture the colored vote. lie
WAS once fired at and wounded in the side
through political hatred Of him. while riding
by the side of Congressman Hines, who was
killed on the occasion.
Reporter-llow did the democratic mem
bers seem to regard the matter before Brooks
applied for leave to contest the election?
senator Clayton-Oh. they seemed to re-
gard him rs the rghtfully elected candidate
but when the test came they entirely disre-
gardod their former professions.
Reportcr-lhtn Gid not their acton silence
| further commentg
! senator Clayton-One would suppose il
should have succeeded in doing so. but there
| were seme OF their own adherents ready to
charge them and Gov. Baxter with improper
conduct in regard to this AFFAIR IL was in
| sinuated that he made promises to the demo
! Gratis, and every movement of his was COM
mcntcl upon and distorted by his adversaries
! Reporter--Was there anything in his oili-
cial conduct to afford them grounds for suspi-
| Ciong
! Senator Clayton-Nothing whatever in my
| INDICTMENT vet sufficient for them. He ap-
! pointed democrats To various positions, and
| this action they regarded rs a confirmation OF
their suspicious. A good deal of talk result
/ 1 TO tl,,tg Of l,n
publican party disapproycd Of his action. The
| talk of oustng him was again revived, and
rumors were circulated that application would
| be made to the supreme court Of the state for
| u writ of quo warranto, with view Of inquir-
| ing into his election,
! Rcporter-IIow did the governor regard
all this talk Of proceedings to be taken
| against him?
/ senator Cluyton--I consider he paid toe
much attention to the malicious reports. lie
! spok. to me about the quo warranto rumor
| and | asked him to dismiss all thoughts of ii
! from him. Ny opinion was that the legisla-
! ture had finally settled the question by retus-
| ing to allow u contest for the seat; and
thought the suprcme court would not
| even If there was any reason TO believe that
it would be applied to, do what the Legislature
had refused to do in this matter. But had
no idea that any application would be made
| to the court.
! kcportcr-Yo on appear to have been on very
! good terms with Gov Baxter. Did he at any
| time intimate to You that he had reason 10 be-
| lovc that you were opposed to him?
| Senator Clay ton-Not at all. On the con
trary, our relations were the most friendly,
and TO me nothing has occurred TO change
them He visited my house few days before
! | LEFT. | then believed should start sooner
than did. To explain my delay, wrote him
letter just before leaving. Then every thing
was tranquil, and | feared no trouble and did
| not en- pect to hear of any disturbances
| Reporter-What do you suppose could have
! given rise to the notion that you were lead
| ing his adversaric. in an effort TO have him
| removed?
Senator Clayton-The democrats have cir
culated all kinds of rumors. They have en-
deayorcd to force me, in the eyes Of the gov
ernor, into an attitude of antagonism 10 him.
! They think he is easily alarmed, and by work
| in on his fears they are trying to persuade him
that his friends in the republican party have
! deserted him, and in this way they hope to
get him to regard themselves rs his friends
and to desert the party that placed him where
he il.
Reporter-Iou have heard, no doubt, OF the
reported reorganization of the militia; was
/ there any talk of the removal ofGon. Upham
before you leitg
Senator Clayton-IIIs removal was made
the subject OF some talk then, and | spoke
about it to Gov. Baxter, but he said he had no
idea of removing him. All kinds OF reports
| had been circulated. but he assured me there
was no foundation whatever for that rumor.
Reporter-llad anything been done to give
color to the story OF an application for 4 writ
of quo warranto.
4 Senator Clayton-At the time that story
came TO New York the coHrt MAS not in sou