The Grange advance., 1874-05-27
Bribery in Arkansas.

Bribery in Arkansas.
Bribery in elections and also in leg
islative bodies, is not uncommon, but it
has been carried on in Arkansas more
shau'elessly than in any other State. \
case is now pending in the House Of
Representatives, which is somewhat re-
markable A certain J. NJ. Bradley,
it is claimed, Was fairly elected, but the
returns having been tampered with,
one Wm. J. Hines got the certificate
and the seat. Bradley proposed to con-
test, but was bought off by Hines for
the sum Of 81 800, to abandon the con-
test, 5000 Of which was paid. Bradley
now brings the matter before the House,
in order to get the balance Of the bribe,
Hines seat.
1t is now charged that Senator Dor
sey, Of Arkansas, bought his seat in the
United States Senate, and the evidence
leaves no room to doubt Of his guilt
When Gov. Clayton: was elected to the
Senate, 1t. Gov. 0. A. Hadley, a carpet
bagger from Rochester, Minnesota, be.
came Governor, and was a willing tool of
the corruptionists. It was Hadley who
appointed all the inspectors Of election,
and by throwing out the returns Of nine
entire counties, and various precincts,
managed to have Baxter returned as
Governor, although Brooks received
large majority of votes. At the close of
Hadleys administration, the Senatorial
election came on, and Dorsey undertook
to work his way through by buying up
opposing candidates. Some he paid in
promises, but Hadley was too sharp to
be caught with such chaff, and receiveg
$50, 900 in cash, and is now rusticatind
in Europe.
The matter is in process Of investiga-
ton in Washington, and abundant evi-
dence will be produced to sustain the
charges against Dorsey. In addition to
buying Of competitors, it is alleged that
he deposited 100000 in a bank at Lit
tie Rock, for the purpose Of bribing the
Legislature, and actually paid several
members $4,000 each In answer to a
telegram to Gov. Baxter, asking the
names Of persons who can testify to
Dorsey's dishonorable character, the re-
ply was as follows:
"Col. F. A. Terry will testify that
Jud ge Bowen-who for time was
the opponent of Dorsey for the United
States Senate-consulted with him free
ly; that Bowen told him (Terry) that
Dorsey proposed to pay him (Bowen)
$36, 600 in bonds Of the Arkansas Cen
trail Railroad, if he would withdraw !;
and, further, that in day or twoafter
wards he (Bowen) withdrew from the
contest, and exhibited Dorsey's check
for the $4,000 in bonds''
In answer to another telegram, Gen.
Baxter replied, by mentioning DR.. John
Kirkwood, of Washington, stating that
he could make most damaging state
ments against Dorsey, as we'll as to his
general bad character; also Hon. T. P.
Hanley, Of Helena, Ark, who has a
thorough knowledge Of him, and many
other reliable names. Asa Hodges, of
the Lower House of Congress ex-Gov.
Hadley, now in Europe; Powell Clay
ton, Of the u. S. Senate, and Jacob
Chapman, of the Lower House of the
Arkansas Legislature, could, as the Gov
ernor says, give information that would
be very damaging to Dorsey, if they
would tell the truth.
Corrupt as Dorsey undoubtedly is, he
not to be compared with Powell Clayton,
his senatorial colleague, for" desperate,
unblushing, bloody villainy. The latter
has committed crimes that in any other
civilized country, would long ago have
consigned him to the gallows.-Pioneer.
The result of the fraternal embassy
from the Methodist Episcopal Church
North to the General Conference Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South,
has been gratifying. Yesterday, as the
Northern delegates were about to re-
turn home, resolutions of warm Chris
tian sympathy and affection were pre-
sented in the conference, enthusiastical-
ly commented upon, and unanimously
passed. There is something beyond a
religious significance in this olive-branch
business between the two great branches
of the Methodist Church. It foreshad-
ows a more liberal political feeling
toward the South. The Church North
has oninions nnnn nuhlic as we'll as re.