The New York herald., 1874-11-20
THE ARKANSAS QUESTION.
Interviews OF 81. Louis Reporters with
Judge Poland-A Variety OF Opinions
Calculated to Please All PARTIES
Smiths Claim to the GovernorshtP
Pronounced Worthless.


Smiths Claim to the GovernorshtP
Pronounced Worthless.
ST. LOUIS, Nov. l9 1874.
Judge Poland, Chairman OF the Congressional
Committee TO investigate the Arkansas Affairs;
Judge wiltshire, member OF Congress elect from
the Little ROCK district and Colonel Hynes, pres
ent member for that district, arrived here yester-
day. and several interviews with them are pub
ushed. but they differ in some material respects.
In one account Judge Poland. 1t Is asserted, said
the Garland government recently elected is iylng
10 act alrly; and Garland, although not possessed
OF very great moral force himself, and being sur
rounded oy strong element OF perhaps the vicious
sort. IS trying to do well. The Baxter faction sus-
tains the Garland government, while the Brooks
men sustain Lieutenan. Governor smith. The
PROGRAMME OF THE BROOKS PARTY
evidently is IN the event OF the federal govern
ment iavoring smith Tor a seat IN the guoerna-
torial chair, 10 press the Brooks Baxter suit.
which is still pending In the court, In the hopes OF
reseaiing Brooks as the legally elected Governor.
II, however, smith Is seated as Governor by fed
eral force he will have 10 be maintained there oy
the same power; out Judge Poland does not think
SUCH action viii be taken. Smith, he says, Is no
more Governor than Baxter was. ana he thinks
the authority OF the latter was gained by fraud.
Smith Is a hrebrand ana Ior his sake and the
sake OF the State 1t is good thing that he has
1ed. His claims to the Governorship are worth
less, and there Is little likelihood oi their being
made " appear OF any value to the President.
ANOTHER INTERVIEW.
Another says:-Juuge Poland asserts that al.
though both Baxter and BROOKS have disappeared
from the political arena. yet tue question now at
issue Is which ol them was elected Governor IN
1872. The new constitution, Poland says. was con-
celved and adopted IN a very irregular manner
The old constitution provided for amendments
only and prescribed the method for their adop
uon and power was delegated TO The General AS
SemDly OF the state to submit the question to the
people whether or not they would hold consutu-
tonal con ventlon. Thus it appears that the action
Ol the Arkansas Legislature IN the premises was
without authority ana wholly ,rreguiar para;
Dorr rebellion IN Rhode Island, more than quar-
ter OF u century ago. The hopes and ambition Of
Smith rest upon the legality OF tne constitution.
whole radical ticket OF 1870 we're elected Tor tour
years, less tnan one half oil which they had served
sti,ution TINS lal, provided Their successors. In
case the new constitution should be declared In
valid. OF course, the present state government
cumDent upon II. and the question would recur 10
the e.ecton OF 1872 AS between the Brooks and
Baxter candidates. Touchihg this matter Judge
Polanu freely expresses the convection that
Brooks received arge maJorit! Of ths votes cast;
Committee plainly indlcales this, and 1t IS
rendered SUI more probable, IN Mr.. Poland's
vu,ea vs aDos. ananmous, ior BOOKS as against
Baxter. Of the pi oSpectS Tor an early settlement
OF the question Judge Poland does not speak IN
ing the validity OF the new constitution as one Of
very grave Importance. and inasmucn as 1t is
strictly legal question he gives no opinion what
ever respecting II. The Judge aso SAID the testl-
mOny before MS committee was about concluded,
but the people seemed to have greater feeling
OF security with sucn q BODY in their midst. aud
asked earnestly for It's retention. He therefore
appointed Hon. J. D. Ward a subcommittee, and
lett him at Little Rock with sergeant-at-arms
and a reporter. He VIII doubtless ind something
to occupy his time and attend to. Judge Po.and
has gone TO washington at the call Oh Attorney
General Williams.
Senator DorseY's Election to be Inves-
tfgated.
LITTLE ROCK, Nov. 10, 1874.
A joint resolution was ntroduced in the senate
to-day and passed to a second reading, appointin
Joint committee to inquire into the manner OF
the election OF Senator Dorsey. rne resolution
Will undoubtedly pass, and the whole matter re-
| ceive thorough Investigation.
All Quiet Throughout the State.
LITTLE ROCK, Now 10, 1874
Everything Is quiet throughout the state.
Nothing mas yet been heard OF the whereabouts
Of Smith or Wheeler.