The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-05-15
ARKANSAS LEGISLATURE.
GOV. DAxrER's MESSAGE.

] "ANAAANSAo M " ~
GOV. DAxTBR's MESSAGE.
LITTLE Rock, May 14.-The Genera
Assembly met in Joint convention thi
evening and received the following mes.
sage from the Governor:
4 EXECUTIVE OFFICE, J
STATE OF ARKANsAs, !
LITTLE Rock, May IA. J
Gentlemen Of The seaah and House a
Representatives
AS the chief executive OF the State,
am vested with power TO convene th,
Legislature on extraordinary occasions
and deeming the present o time demand
ing the exercise of the power, l havt
called you together to deliberate and &C
on matters oil great importance to the
people Of the State. 1t Is o source o.
pleasure to meas well as congratulation tc
tho country, that you have assembled sc
promptly. Doubtless the circumstances
that made 1t necessary for me to assemble
you at this time are known to all. The
matter Of a contest for the office Of Gov
ernor Of the State, between Hon. james
Brooks and myself having been passed
upon at your last session, It was
supposed 10 be finally settled. But dur
ing last summer, alter your adjournment,
upon an application for permission to file
an information by the Attorney General
for writ quo warranto to trying the
right to the Office Of Governor, the su.
prcme Court decided and adjudicated that
there was no jurisdiction in any Court in
tho State to try the question, and that tho
Legislature alone could determine tho
same. A few months after that time in
another case, in which the right to the
Auditors office was involved, the opinion
was approved and reaflrmed, and then it
was universally understood that tho qucs.
tion was at rest. Notwithstanding these
two decisions, on the 10Th Of last month
in case brought by Jas. Brooks against
myself in the Circuit Court of Pulaski
county, determination was arrived
at in overruling o demurrer tc the juris.
diction Of the Court by pretended Judge.
ment by tho authority Of which Brooks
claimed therightto oust me from the Office
oi the Governor. In my opinion the &C.
tion Of the Court was arbitrary and revo'
lutionary, as 1t had no jurisdiction what
ever 10 render such a judgement. So be-
lieving l at once addressed myself to the
task Of maintaining my authority as Gov
ernor. To my Call 10 suppress what I con-
slder an armed insurrcction against the
lawful authority oEthe State Government
the people responded promptly, and in
numbers greater than required. But In
my efforts to move on the State House and
to repossess the same, ! was thwarted
by the interference ot the Fedora
troops against whom ! would moi
make war or permit war 10 bt
made, and prevented me from asserting
my rights. I organized o sufficient force
to protect myself and those with and
around me and appealed to tho National
authorities, under the Constitution Of the
United States, Tor aid to suppress such in
surrection and to prevent domestic vio-
lence, but in case aid could not be obtain.
ed from that source proposed to con-
vene the Legislature In extraordinary
session TO settle the question, which has
been used as a pretext for the unlawful
efforts against the State government
To this requisition the Preslden
Of the United States responded, fAvoript
your meeting and guaranteeing you pro,
lection in your deliberation. With thil
assurance from tho Chiet Magistrate o
tho Nation, ! am glad to meet you anG
express tho hope that through and BY
your instrumentallty peace, order anC
quiet will be restored TO the country
TO you then Is submitted the question a
TO who Is Governor oil Arkansas, undel
the general election held on the 9th day
Of November, A. D. 1879, and your early
attention Is invited to It's consideration
Owing to the unsettled condition Of az
] fairs in this State, and the great want 0
harmony in our laws, statutory, and con
} stitutional, your earnest attention i
invited to the consideration and pro
prlety of calling q Constitutional Con
vention, q move which I deem ct thi
time Of absolute necessity. 1hope Il ma,
be your pleasure to call convention Q
the State in order that the people ma,
have an opportunity to speak and act a
once as they deem best. Should ther
: bc in my opinion o necessity for actiol
on matters by you at your present meet
ing, I will indicate the same by q speciH
message, hoping that your deliberation
will result In restoring order, confdenc
! and prosperity 10 the people.
Al r. ELrsHA BAXTER,
3 GopeF7sor Of ArkanSa&
Twent.seven ex.Union soldiers an
northern men have Joined in q dispatc
10 Senator Morton and Gen. John Cobur
J contradicting a telegram sent to thes
: gentlemen BY E. W. Kimbsll, lawyer
: Ibis CITY, to tho effect that II the Baxte
government succeeds the northern me
- A.