The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-16
The Goyernorship of Arkansas.

LITTLE Rock, April IL.
Joseph Brooks, who claims to have been
elected governor in 1872. took the oath of
Office about eleven o'clock this morning be-
lore Chief Justice Mcclure, and within five
minutes Of that time took forcble possess
ion oil the governors Office and elected
Gov. Baxter By force. About year ago
Brooks commenced suit in the circuit
court of Pulaski county for the Office Of
governor, and about the same time the at
torney-general commenced suit against
Coy Baxter in the Supreme court.
The latter court rendered decision that
courts Of the state had no power over
contested election for the Office of COVER
nor. and ii was generally regarded that the
matter was settled, so far as courts were
concerned. The legislature in 1878 opened
the returns and declared that Baxter was
elected. Nothing more was thought of the
matter particularly until II few days ago,
when the attorneys of Coy. Baxter de-
sired that the case in the circuit court he
taken up ON demurrer with an object of
disposing of the same. An understanding
was then had that the demurrer should be
submitted and argued next week.
On Monday, during the absence Of Judges
English and Compton, attorneys of Gov
Baxter, Mr. Whipple, attorney for Brooks
arose and stated that it had been agreed be-
tween himself and the counsel of Gov BaX-
ter that demurrer as to the jurisdiction of
the court should be submitted.
Although this was said in the absence of
Coy BaXter's attorneys, it was thought
nothing of at the time. Yesterday morn
ing about II O'Clock. when there
were but fcw in the court room and
neither Of the governors counsel present,
Judge Whitlock announced his decision
overriding the demurrer, and none os BaX-
tcrs counsel being present to answer, plead
over on move for an appeal, the judgment
of Custer was issued and writ placed in
the hands of the sheriff, and in five min
utes from that time an armed band, headed
by Brooks, were in the governors Office de-
handing possession The governor de-
clincd, whcrcupon iorcblc possession was
taken and guards placed at all entrances to
to the office. In the meantime General
| Cattcrson, who claimed to be Brooks adj
jutant general broke in the door of the
session of about one hundred stand of arms
Adjutant General Strong, of Governor
Bakers staff, refusing to give up the kcy'
although surrounded by armed men
Coy Baxter refused to be elected cXccp
by force, when some of Brooks men tool
hold of him and led him ont. Since tha
time Brooks has had possession of the stat,
house. Gov. Baxter has established hi
headquarters at St. Johns college, and it il
reported that the state house will be takel
possession of tonight. The greatest eX
element prevails throughout the city
The following dispatch was sent by tn
Governor to the President
| have been advised by public rumo
that in the state circulate forthls county il
the long pending case of Joseph BROOKS 70
the office Of governor of this stat
a demurrer to complainant was over
ruled, and an immediate Judgment o
custer against me given. This was don
in the absence of my counsel and withou
notice, and immediately thereafter til
circuit Judge adjourned his conrt
Claimant has taken possession of til
state building and elected me by force.
propose to take measures Immediately t
resume possession OF the state property
and to maintain my authority as rightfr
governor Of the state.
Armed men acting under this revolution
AIRY movement, are now in charge of I'll
government armory and capitol building
deem it my duty To communicate th
state of affairs TO the President, and
trust these revolutionary acts may be SC
tied without bloodshcd, and respectful
: ask the support of the general goyernmet
in my efforts to maintain rightiu govern
ment of the state of Arkansas, and that Il
commander of the United States arsenal
this post be directed to sustain me in tn
direction. | respectfully request your L
ply to this communication at an caily M
ment. Signed,
ELISHA BANTER,
GOV'r, of Ark