Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-06-02
Uashinoton Correspondence.

For the last three weeks, more or less,
the dwellers in Washington as well as the
.'rest of mankind" have been RECALLED
with "news" sensational aud otherwise,
from Arkansas or ArkanSaw as pro-
nounced here, until glulted, and the
appetite for such news completely satialed
and every body heartily glad when the
President issued his proclamation. recog
nizmg Baxter" rs the Governor
Judging from reading the comments OF
certain newspapers, Republican and Dem.
ocratic, upon the question at issue in that
State, / can hardly repress smile at the
lack of knowledge OF the facts as evinced
in said comments. Many papers OF both
parties took sides for Brooks, a few Tor
Baxter, the democratic papers clamored
loud for Presidential interference, saying
Brooks" should be proclaimed Governor,
aud that Baxter was usurper, &C., &c,
for once forgetting the old story of state
Rights" and that in the Louisiana middle
when the President interlered. in that
State their cry was, the President had
trampled upon Estate Rights" violated
the Constitution, and in fact was q usurp
er. In the case of "ArkanSGtc" they
besought the President to interfere and
proclaim Brooks Governor, in spite of
Estate Rights" so that it seems that in
this instance il makes difference whose
Bull is goredn This time it happens
that the "auimal" is of the liberal Demo.
cratic persuasion. that they londly hoped
he President would Interfere to save irom
slaughter. Briefly the facts are these:
The election in ArkanSd'c was held on
the same day with the last Presidential
election. Baxter was the regular rcpub-
lican, and Brooks the liberal and demo-
cratic candidate. The vote OF the State
was given for the Grant electors, by some
5000 majority; (thoush the vote was not
counted for either Grant or Greeley by
Congress) Baxter it was claimed was
elected Governor by about the same ma.
jority. BY the law of that State Gas in
Maine) the legislature canvass the votes
Tor Governor. In accordance with this
provision of their Constitution, the legis
laturc did canvass the votes, and declared
Baxter Governor. which Office he has
held undis,urbed for fifteen months. It's
true Brooks claimed he was elected, and
appealed to the Supreme Court OF his
State TO put him in possession OF the Office
That Court decided that it had no juriS-
aiciioH. aad dismissed the case. This
seemed 10 settle the case, and to put at
rest the claim of Brooks Subsequently
he brought m action in the Circuit Court
OF Pulaski County, Court perhaps of
about the same power and jurisdiction OF
an ordidary County Court This action
was brought to recover the salary and
cmolumcu;s oil Governor, which. alter
numerous delays and demurrorS. was
decided in the absence OF the Attorneys
OF Baxter, by this zone horse Court
in layor Of Brooks, who at once proceed
ed by force aud arms to eject Gov. Baxter
from the State House. This no accom-
piished, and he has been able by force to
retain possession. until the President,
after careful investigation and patient
hearing of both sides, put IN end 10 his
usurpations. should say that the same
Supreme Court that once decided il had
not jurisdiction, now decides exactly the
opposi,e-lhoush the question was not
presented TO i, in precisely the same folm
as at The FIRST heating.
a singular phase in this fight is that
Republicans that opposed Brooks orig
inally, now are for him. and Democrats
that voted for Brooks. and were willing
10 fight for him. are now loud in shouting
Bakers praises Both Senator'S in Con.
grcss and all the Representatives, save
one, are for Brooks. Still, in spite OF
this party influence. the Presidcn. has
decided that Baxter is Governor, and Us
such must be sustained. and believe he
has acted light, though DO believe it is
very difficult to say who was in fact elec;-
ed by the people. by reason OF the frauds
pracliced in that State by the politicians OF
both parties, and in my judgment 1t
would be better il that and soma others
Of the reconstructed States, perhaps all,
were remanded 10 a territorial condition,
until tho present generation Of politicians,
carpet. baggers, ex.rebels, and what not,
die off, or become sufficiently intelligent
and loyal 10 administer fairly and honest
" the affairs of State.
An effort is now being made to send a
Committee of Congress TO Investigate the
affairs of that State. hardly think it
probable the effort will succeed, rs in the
Senate Republican Caucus held a lew
days sincc, it was decided very nearly
unanimously against this proposition. l
will not attempt farther to describe this
"muddle,n as Lord Dundreary" would
say, mo fellow can be expected TO I'M
derstand st." NoT-LIBELoUs.
Washington, May 2jlh, 1874.
We have received from w. F. Morrill,
esq of Portland. G.. w. S. of the Grand
Lodge of Maine l. o. of G. r., the print
ed PROCEEDINGS Of the sixteenth annual