The Van Buren press., 1873-05-20
Overthrow of Gov. Baxter.

Overthrow of Gov Baxter,
The Memphis appeal, which is more or less
the exponent of the sentiments of the people
of Eastern Arkansas, has this to say ofthe at
tempt to overthrow Gov. Baxter 1t is true
if Baxter has no claim to the Office he holds,
none Of the fraudulent crew, that hold office
at Little Rock under the same election, has a
semblance of right
The same class of people who invested Kel-
logg with authority in Louisiana would sub
stitute a man named Smith, weak carpet
bagger, for the excellent chief magistrate
now. fortunately for the State shaping the
destinies of Arkansas. Mr.. Smith is the act
ing lieutenant governor. OF his character or
history little is known. lie is a very good
looking young man, apparently harmless
enough. The only danger is that he will suf-
fer himself in this behalf to become the sup
pie tool Of designing knayes, impotent for
evil while Baxter reigns. They cunningly
appeal to Smiths selfish ambition, and tell
him how infinitely greater his mportance be-
comes if he assent to the displacement of BaX-
ter, and, becoming his substitute, live immor-
tai in history as chief magistrate Of a great
state. Mr.. Smith is dazed he is conscious of
growing greatness; his step is more elastic ;
his strides more gigantic; his head is thrown
vigorously backward he wears a lofty port,
and is dignifed as becomes an embryo states
man, Very certainly Smith has no better
right to his present Office than Baxter to that
of governor. In fact Baxter received most
votes, But if Baxter be elected from office
by the well coddled supreme court Smith
will hold BaXter's place until. the trial is
terminated. 1t is not intended that it shall be
determined till BaXterS term expires. smith
NAV convene the legislature; lie may remove
nd anpnint pinne Iolflnr. In m art
the whole policy of BaXter's administration (;
he may beget evils infinitely more intolerable
than thOse which Grant proposes to adjust by
military force in Louisiana. The very tri-
bunal before which Gov. Baxter must APP
pear, by ordering him to vacate his office, has
no authority if Baxter has none. They can
not listen to this application for Il Qlo rdlrdH-
to with asserting to their own want Of au-
thority to grant it, and to the inyaiiGity of
every act of this court. In destroying Bax-
ter the whole State government is destroyed,
and since this result Is not contemplated, and
1t is the unavoidable result of the election of
Baxter from Office there can be possible jnSti-
iication OF the first step a trial that tends in
eyitably TO this end. But there is purpose
beyond this of local scltshneSs involved in
these revolutionary proceedings I'm Arkansas
and louisiana The convention OF congress
men at st. Louis. and the discussion Of means
Of perteCting water route for the west to the
sea, renders it necessary for the east 20 foster
local political dissensions i'm southwestern
States. Insecurity Of life and property in
Louisiana is designed like the dredging boats
at the BaiZe, to rcpel wealth from this high
way of commerce. If Arkansas join Louisia-
ma, becoming the theater of unmiXcd knayery
In politics and in government, If confusion
reign and adventures become omnipotent. as
they would under the benign sway OF Smith,
the diversion oftravel, Of emigration and of
commerce, from railway lines 10 river routes,
is simply impossible. Each act of lawlcss-
ness each Development Of political yilainy,
each elevation of each reckless unknown adj
ycnturer, each overthrow of men like Baxter
postpones the redemption Of the south and its
investiturc with every commercial adjunct Of
growing progressive greatness.
.s- The Fort Smith Patriots informed by
Dr. L. II Duval that the Collector gives in
the following as collections for school pur-
poses;
state Scrip and School Warrants, $4,000
Currency, 3j!
Sl3,35i
Thus il will bo seen that notwithstanding
the decision Of the Supreme court the schools
OF Sebastian county must ,i,her take the de-
prcciated State scrip, worth 45 cents, or else
go into an expensive and tedious litigation
with the collector and his surcties.
The Gazette. ofSaturday, announces "The
Gibson departed Yesterday for st. Louis to be
hall-soled and otherwise fixed up. She will
be back in about five weeks IfCapt. Bowlin
was not such an exceedingly modest man, we
should fear his vanity would be excited when
he again appears astride the Gray Mule in
our waters with her Sunday clothes on"
sg- From the following items. we find in
the Fayetteville Nc,rs. of Saturday last, it
will be seen lhat the town of Evansville, in
Washington county, is enjoying another
bitter quarrel:
The case Of Jones and Smith, and about two
hundred others, tmorc or orless-probably less
for assault aud battery, has occupied the
court of Squire CaIlilo for the past week and
is likely to continue for the next two months.
The affair occurred near Evansville, and is
one OF tho features of the war now raging in
that section. The battle occurred In the corn
field, and hoes, plows, pick aXc-handles,
hatehet., skillets clubs, and other imple.
mcnts of warfare, were handled with disgust
ing recklessness. John Smith had his Jaw
bone broken, and the broken noses. goug ged
eyes scratches, bruises, etc, were numerous.
No lives lost.
Deputy Sherins George Pettigrcw, Beatty
and Barnes with posse. made demonstra-
tion en- Evansville. last Thursday night. and
succeeded in capturing John Richmond, Jr.,
one Of the desperadoes who has been firing
into the house of Mr. Chandler, citizen of
that place. Another of the party rode up and
fired at the officers but succeeding In escap-
ing. The officers are hunting up the rest Of
the gang.
lost