Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-18
TEXAS.
q. s. Grant, Doctor of Laws.
He Interprets the State Consti-.
tuition,
And RnIes naYis ouf on Onice.

And Rules Davis out of Office.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.-Attorney Gen
eral Williams this afternoon sent the fol-
lowing telegram to Gov. Davis, of Texas:
Department OF Justice, Washington, Jan.
17.-Gov. Z. j. Davis, AUSTIN, Texas:
Yonr telegram of Yesterday stating that ac-
cording to the Constitution of Texas you
were Governor until the 2S'h of April next,
and that Hon. Richard Cooke has been in
augurated and win attempt to seize the
Governors office and buildings, and calling
upon the President for military assistance,
has been referred by me to him, and / am
instructed to say that after considering the
fourth section of article of the COnstitu-
ton of Texas, providing that the Governor
shall hold his Office for term of four years
from the date of his instalment. under
which you claim; and section 8 of the cleo
tiOn declaration, attached to said cOnstitu-
tion, under which you were chosen, and
which provides that the State and other Of
fcers elected Hereunder shall hold their
respective offices for the term of wears pre-
scribed BY the Constitution, beginning
from the day of their election, under which
the Governor elect claims the office; and
more than four years having expired since
your election, he is of opinion that your
right to the Office of Governor at this time
is at least so doubtful that he does not feel
warranted in furnishing United States
troops to aid you in holding further posses
sion of it, and he therefore declines to
comply with your request.
GEO. IL. WILLIAMS,
Attorney General.
Davis still Holds Out.
GALVESTON, Jan. II The NeIrS' special
from Austin says: Gov. Davis still holds
out. No transfers of either State office has
been made. His friends say he will await
the result of the Cbinet meeting to-day.
This evening sevenring-leader's of the mob
who arrested the Mayor yesterday, were ar
rested by civil process. -Four negroes and
three whites caused quite a stir in the
basement of the capitol, but no demOnstra-
tion was made. Everything otherwise
quiet.
Gov. Cooke Demands the Surrender
of the Executive Office.
State Capitol, Jan. 16.-TO Hon. Ed
mund Davis-Sir: Having been on yester-
day the, 18th day January, duly and con-
stitutionally declared elected Governor Of
of the State of Texas, and having fully
qualified as such, l have to ask of you re
spectfully the delivery into my possession
of the executive office of the State, to-
gether with the papers, archives and all
property pertaining thereto, as well as the
office of Secretary of State and its archives,
papers and property. Very respectfully
your Obedient servant
RICHARD COOKE.
Davis Response.
- = In,
Sir: Acknowledging the receipt of your
communication of yesterday, have to say
in reply, that don't, as you know, regard
YOU as the Executive of this State, or
entitled to possession of the Gov
| am myself the Governor of the
much on this point. will add, sir, TO my
view, and hope also to yours, it becomes
us as citizens desirOus of the peace of our
State, that we should without delay con-
cur in some plan for settling the question
as to which is the legitimate State govern
ment and of putting an end to the present
disturbed condition of the State. As
matters now stand, every day adds
greatly to the injuries complained
of in our affairs. / therefore now propose
tion of the legitimate government to the
Executive or Congress of the United States
or to both; as the Executive of the United
States is bound under the Constitution TO
sustain the legitimate government against
domestic violence, this question is a proper
one for him TO decide. / pledge myself
to abide the decision TO be thus
made, and viii advise all good citizens to
90 the same. l also propOse.to join with
you in adopting the means best calculated
to secure a prompt decision of this ques-
ton. Greatly desiring an early settlement
of these troubles, and trusting that you
will meet this offer with a similar spirit, L
remain, respectfully,
EDMUND ]. DAVIS, Governor.
To Hon. Richard Cook.
Gov. Cook Declines.
Egecdice Office. dustin, Jan. Ito
Hon L. J. Dayis-Sir: Yours of this inst.
in reply to mine of yesterday is received.
BY the will Of the people of Texas, fairly
and legally expressed at the polls, and the
recognition of their representatives in the
l4th Legislature, now in session, it
has been decided that l am the cOnstitu-
tional Governor of Texas, and as such have
been duly installed, and holding this de-
cision absolute, and declining under any
circumstances to consider your proposition
to refer the matter to another authority, /
respectfully renew the request made in my
note Of yesterday.
RICHARD COOKE.
Capt. Geo. Clark made a demand on J.
p. NewcOmb for the State department, etc.
and was answered that Newcomb would
comply with whatever Davis ordered; that
he held by his order and till Davis sur
rendered the executive Office he would
remain.