Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-05-12
ALEXANDRIA, VA.
TUESDAY, MAY IL, 1874.


THE ARKANSAS TROUBLES. There is not
much news direct from Little Rock; that which
comes is through private kilograms TO 81. Louis
and Washington FROM these 1t seems that
some sharp skirmishing occurred yesterday at
a railroad bridge near Little Rock, held by
Brooks troops, aud at which they we're turn
ing back members of the Legislature who were
seeking to reach the capital. After some ex-
changes of shots the United States troops IN
terfered and compelled both parties to cease
Yesterday the following telegram, which is
practical Endorsement of the proposed plan OF
adjustment suggested by representatives, OF the
dsputants and the Attorney General at Wash
ington, rejected by Baxter and accepted by
Brooks, was dispatched by the President to
Baxter:
WASHINGTON, May IL.
Hon, Elijah BAXTER, Little Rock, arkansas:
I recommend that the members OF the General
Assembly, now at Little Rock, adjourn for rea-
sonable time, say ten days, to enable BROOKS TO
call to the body his supposed adherents 80 that
there may be full Legislature. Any hasty &C.
ton by part of the Assembly will not be sat-
isfactory to the people Brooks friends here
Ao
viii be made to the meeting Of the Assembly In
the State House, as usual, and that ne will at
once dismiss his forces if you will do the same.
/ urgently request that all armed forces on both
sides be disbandsd, so that the Genera
sure or influence. The United States forces will
give sill necessary protection to the Legislature,
and prevent, rs fur as practicable, all violence
aud disturbance of the public peace Answer.
u. S GRANT.
A dispatch was also sent by the President to
Brooks advising him OF the foregoing message
and containing similar sentiments.
The following response to the telegram from
the President was received at Washington last
night:
LITTLE Rock ARK May II.
To u. S Grant, President, Washington, ID. g.:
There is almost quorum of both Houses OF
the Legislature present, and they have power,
under the Constitution, to adjourn from day 10
day until they have quorum, and they can al
journ no longer until they havea quorum. l am
in favor of their adjourning as long, as they
please until every supposed Brooks adherent is
present.
With this understanding 1 will disbsnd my
troops as Brooks Idisbands his. But for the meet
ing of the Legislature at the usual place, MI
Brooks must get as far from 1t west rs / am east,
and deposit the State arms in the State armory,
and let the State House and public buildings De
turned over at once to j. NJ johnson, the Sec
rotary Of State, to whom, under the law, they
belong. ELISHA BAXTER,
Governor of Arkansas.
On the receipt of the above dispatch the
President and Attorney General Williams held
another consultation, and decided to commuui-
cant this reply of Baxter to Brooks, the Presl-
dent, stating that he considers it fair and rea-
souable and that his (Brooks'S) interest rcqur-
ed its immediate acceptance. The President
also received dispatch from the members of
the Arkansas Legislature approving Bakers
response.
The latest dispatches from Little Rock, re-
ceiYed last night, report that in the sklrmlsh
across the river in the morning. quite num-
Der were reported killed and wounded on
Brooks side, while Baxter says that he had
only one man wounded Blxter's forces claim
that at the time of the interference by the
United States troops, they had Brooks forces
surrounded, aud would have captured the
whole party. The House met again at
D. M, thirty-sevcn members being present.
The Sergcant-at- Arms Was Instructed to
bring in absentces, aud the House adj
journed until 10 a. m. to-day. About ten msm-
bers arrived last night, aud there will doubtless
be a Quorum to-day, in the House at least.
Baxter has received about six hundred rein
forcements, among them about two hundred
colored men. Little Rock is a perfect military
camp, aud almost every business house is clos
ed. The Federal troops are GU the alert to pre-
vent any conflict. Brooks has issued call for
an extraordinary session of the Legislature Oh
the Oath.