Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-04-22
THE INTERNATIONAL WAR.
PLAIN TALK FROM WASHINGTON
Armed Troops Gathering at Little
The Pest COmmandalt Will Preserve
Peace.
"FOrever Float that Standard Sheet"
How Brooks OusTed Baxter of the state
House.


LITTLE Rock, April 15.-Joseph Brooks,
who claims to have been elected Governor
in 1872, took the oath OF office about II
o'clock to-day before Chief Justice Mcclure,
and within five minutes from that time
took forcible possession of the Governors
Office and elected Governor Baxter by force.
About one year ago Brooks commenced
suit in the Circuit Court of Pulaski county
for the office of Governor; about the same
time the Attorney General commenced q
suit against Governor Baxter by quo aUar-
rGnto in the Supreme Court. That court
rendered decision that the courts of the
State have no power over q contested cleo
ton for the Office of Governor, and it was
generally regarded that the matter was set
tied so far as the courts were concerned.
| The Legislature in 1872 opened the returns
and declared that Baxter was elected );
nothing more was thought of the matter
particularly, until a few days ago, when
| the attorneys of Governor Baxter desired
that the case in the Circuit Court be taken
up on demurrer, with view of disposing
of the same. An understanding was then
had that the demurrer should be submitted
| and argued the next week. On Monday,
during the absence of Judges English and
Compton, the attorneys of Governor
Baxter Mr.. Whipple, the attorney of
| Brooks, arose and stated that it had been
agreed between himself and the counsel of
Gov. Baxter that a demurrer to the juris-
diction of the court should be submitted.
This, also in the absence of Gov. Baxter's
attorneys, was thought nothing of at the
time. Yesterday morning about II o'clock,
when there were but few in the court
room, and neither of the Governors coun-
sci present, the Judge, Whytock, an
nounced his decision, everything the de-
murrer, and none of Baxter's counsel be-
ing present to answer, plead over or move
for an appeal
JUDGMENT
of custer was issued, writ placed in the
hands of the Sheriff and in five minutes
from that time an armed band headed by
James Brooks was in the Governors office,
demanding possession. The Governor de-
clined, whereupon
FoRCIBLE POSSESSION
was taken and guards placed at all the en-
frances to the Office. In the meantime
General Collarson, who claims to act as
Brooks Adjutant-General, broke in the
door of the armory, in the same building
and took possession of about one hundred
stand of arms, the Adjutant- General
(Strong) of Governor Baxter, refusing TO
give up IL keys, although surrounded by
armed men. Governor Baxter refused tc
be elected except by force, and some of Mr.
Brooks men took hold of him and led
him out Since that time Brooks has had
possession of the State house. Governor
Baxter has established his headquarters al
st. Johns College, and it is reported thai
the State house will be taken possession o.
tonight.
The greatest excitement prevails through.
out the city.
PROCLAMATION FROM BAXTER-HE is
TWO THOUSAND STRONG.
Gov. Baxter has formally declared mar,
tial law in this, Pulaski county. Simulta
neously with the issuance of this procla
: nation, the Governor marched from 81
} Johns College with his force of about tw