The Van Buren press., 1873-10-07
Important Incidents Yesterday in Politi.
cal and Military Circles.
little Rock aarette Of SOth.

/
All sorts Of rumors filled the streets yester-
day about certain supposed acts OF the gov
ernor, and excited people were to be met with
on every corner. A Gazette reporter was set
to work to find ont all about tile matter and
after dligent inquiry learned that Major
Generals Wiltshire and Newton had resigned,
and the governor had determined to muster
the entire militia force of the state out of SER
vice, and that the attorney general had dis
missed his suiS against Gov. Baxter In the
| circuit court. These facts were aseertained
The additional fact was ascertained that
the opinion Of the supreme court in the late
qato ,cdrranto case had been, during the morn
ing, filed in the office Of the clerk of that
court. The opinion was drafted by Judge
Gregg, and was signed by him and justices
Searle and Stephenson thus making it the de-
cision Of the court. 1t holds that no court. in
any form af action can determine contest
for any Office of the state executive depart
ment.
The governor, it was further ascertained,
had received letter from the attorney gene
raj OF the United States, who in the name of
the president, made a suggestion that if Gov,
Baxter needed force to sustain the decision Of
the supreme court OF the state, it had better
be furnished by the federal government than
resorted to by the local authorities.
Therefore Gems. Wiltshire and Newton ten
dered to the governor the following resigna-
ton:
LITTLE Rock, ARK. Sept 20, 1873.
HIS ExcEILENCB, ELISHA BAXTER: :.
Dear Sir: In view of the suggestion of the
president that in maintaining the state gov
ernment it would be better policy on your
part to depend on the federal government for
assistance. rather than take the risk of finvolv
ing the people of the state in conflict among
themselves. we favor the idea of thc entire
militia force of the state being mustered out
of service. To relieve any feelings OF em bar
rassment as far as we are concerned on the
subject We hereby tender you our resigna-
tons to take effect to-day.
In doing so, we take occasion to assure you
of our abiding confidence in your ability and
patriotism as the chief executive of the state.
and to express the hope that you Will succeed
in your efforts to restore our people to Il state
of perfect peace and prosperity.
We are, with high regard. your excellen-
cy's obedient servants,
W. W. WILTSHIRE, Mai Gen.
. R.C. NEWTON, Maj. Gen.
HEADQUARTERS STATE or ARKANsAs.l
LITTLE Rock, Sept 20, 1873.
The designations Of Generals Wiltshire and
Newton is hereby accepted.
.. ...4 ELISHA BANTER,
Conpander-in-chief.
The governor thereupon issued an order
disbanding the militia OF the State.
Attorneys general Ionley, during the day.
dismissed the suit pending in the name of the
state against Governor Baxter, in the Pulaski
circuit court. The following is copy of the
precipe under which the clerk entered the or
der of Dismissal
STATE OF ARKANSAS,
County of Pulaski(
In the Circuit Court of Pulaski county, in
vacation.
State of Arkansas. plaintiff, vs.. Elisha BaX-
ter. defendant.
The supreme court having decided, in the
matter OF the application of the attorney
general made to that court at June term
thereof 1873, for writ of quo wdrrdnD against
the defendant, Elisha Baxter, as governor OF
this state that no action ut law whatever will
lie against one in Office AS governor, when
the question sought to be tried is the regu-
larity and validity of the election of the in
cumbcnt,
The clerk of the Pulaski circuit court Is
therefore hereby ordered and directed forth
with to dismiss. at the cost of the state OF Ar
kansas the above entitled cause from the
docket of said court.
tSisnedl I. ID. W. loNLEf'
Attorney General.
We have placed the pubic in possession of
such of the facts as we have been able to as
certain Further details will be given as we
are better advised.