The Van Buren press., 1874-08-25

principal benefit was toe individuals who
uocke,ed the bonds? A.-The Impression on
the public mind is that the bonds were gener-
ally divided up between the managers Of the
different roads.
Q.-And yoa think that that was the first
cause of the dissensiony A. AS understood
1t, that was the first cause For the reason
that Gov. Baxter declined 10 Jarop that biH he
was abandoned by the leaders OF the Republic
can party. so that really he had no friends.
Besides these S5,200,000 which had
been put out by Clayton and his confede-
rates, it was claimed that the Governor
had power to issue S6,O00,000 more,
which they also wanted for use On that
point Mr.. Bartlett was questioned:
Q.--was there not proposition made TO is
sue some more bonds to these railroadsy A.
II have seen the report of tI.at since | have
been here, and that Gov. Baxter issued sort
of manifesto declaring the tan roid, and declia-
ed to issue more bonds. That application, as
II was reported In the papers. was an applica-
ton from one railroad. think the Fort
smith road, for ei00,000. and MIR. Dorseys
Isa5pet; 4, ,ps bag senatorl or some other road fer
s3UO,O00 Gov. Baxter declined to issue any
more bonds.
OWN you state abort W hat are the annu
nj expenditures of the State. or what they
have been for the last four or five years-I do
not mean the issue of bonds, but the actual
expenditureg Al can only judge from the
amount OF taxation, and the fact that the ex-
penditure has covered all the taxes collected
| think 1t Is something over million
| Q,-DO you know what the expenditures
were In 1859 about what they were per an
mum? A-They were short Of two hundred
thousand dollars year.
! Q.-Wlat has been the rate of taxation for
the last four or five ears? A.-On the whole,
do you mean. o r the percentageY
! OIL mean the percentsgep Ain the
city OF Little Rock II amounts to about six per
cent think In the country 1t Is lees. In
Helena 1t Is a fraction over five per cent.
Q.-What is the general feeling In Arkan-
sas In reference TO the government of the
State ny the party Of which Clayton Is usual
| ly considered the head-is that party odious
to the people or II Is palatable TO them? A
IL hds laHeriy been extremely odious to the peo-
pie generally They have lost confidence In 1t
| fora great many reasons--sucl reasons As are
apparent on the face OF affairs; for Instance.
the enormous expenditures In comparison
with the very few Improvements OF public
character that have been made.
Q-lhe public debt has been largely in
creased? A 1t has been very largely in
creased
Q.-Ana who has reapcd the corresponding
benefit the State or individnalsy A.-Indi-
ridudfs; or Mt least the State has received but
very slight benefit from II.
Q.-Do you believe that the people Of the
Statca In favor ofa Constitutional Conven-
ton now as u revolutionary measure, or that
they desire 1t for the purpose OF establishing
n government ofthe people9 All ts not at
all revolutionary; 1t Is taken up as peace
measure. and for the restoration Of peace.
qnlet. and good Will.
Q-Theh, tor some reason or other. the
people are rejoiced ut the probability OF set
tlement by means Of conventionp A.-rhat
l., according to my correspondence. land my
relatives aud correspondents are all on the
Brooks side.)"
This testimony gives q clear insight
into the situation OF Arkansas at the time
Of the recent troubles, and Of the causes
which brought them about Another
witness OF high standing at the bar. MIR
Robert A. Howard, makes revelations
equally important:
Q.-Do you consider that, since Gov. clay
ton became Governor OF the State, up to the
time when Baxter became Governor, the
State has had really and essentially republi-
can governnent-repubican In spirit and In
its actionp a Well. no sir. II has not II !
understand you to mean by that n govern
ment that has been constituted by the people,
and in which they have had the choice Of tlleir
officers 1t has been that In no sense Of the
term since have been In the State of Arkan-
sas; suppose that would hardly be ques-
toned.
Q.-Do you suppose that there have been
many fair elections for members Of Congress
since 1855 In Arkansasp A.-There never
has been fair election In the State since !
have been there.
The Clayton side was represented by
John Mcclure, who united in one person
the functions of Chief Justice with those
of partisan editor and political manager
for the carpet. baggers. lie was at the
head Of the movement to depose Baxter
by force, using a pretended decision Of a
servile court as the lever for that purpose.
His admissions, forced out by cross ex.
animation, expose the fraudulent and des.
peratc means employed to put in Brooks
He was asked, after many evasions:
Q.-And yon do not know OF any plan laid
ctore-hand by which this suit before Judge
Whytock was to he brought up and SO man
aged MS to get judgment Issued against Sa x
ter? A.-No. sir.
Q.-You had no hand in any OF the steps
before Judge Whytock; did YOU know that
suit was to be brought up In Judge Whytock's
court? Al knew 1t was pending there
more than year.
Q But that It was to he brought up at that
particular timeY A.-Muybe ! DID; saw
notice published In the papers
Q-But did you know privately? Al
may hare had some knowiedge that 1t would be
brought up lie had arranged the whole
scheme himself
Q--You were ready on hand to swear In
Gov. Brooksp A No. sir.
Q--Where did you swear him In? A.--In
the Supreme Court room.
Q-iIow long after the decisionr A.-The
very day.
Before the record was signed--tbe very
day the decision was madep A.--YeS sir.
Q--Before the judgement was signedp A.
Il do not know.
Q--It was not signed the same dayS A.
] do not know.
O--Don't YOU know the universal practice
10 to read the record on the nert day and to
sign il hpn2 A.-Yes sir.
Q-When you administered the oath of Of
flee to Mr.. Brooks had that record been sign
ed? Al don't know whether ;thad or ot.
( After Just admlttiny le did know]
Q.-What evidence had you that the decis-
ion had been made? Al had none.
Q--Why did you administer the oath to
him? A.-He asked me.
Q--You had administered the oath to Gov.
Baxter? 4 Yes. sir.
Q.--You did not find ont that a judgment
had been entered in the Circuit Courtf A.
did not know whether II had or not.
would have sworn MIR. Brooks In three months
ago II he had asked me. without any Iudg-
ment; 10 was not u matter OF inquiry for me-
Q-You would not swear anv one IMP A.
- Yes sir; u you pW come dozen there I miH
snsdr you in.
Q--Do you mean seriously tn say that you