Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-11-15
SMITH,!
He Tries to Raise a Row I'm
Arkansas,
Claiming to be Governor, and
Appealing to Grant for Aid.
Grant Refers Him to Outrage
Williams.
Gov. Garland Meanwhile Gets q War
rant for His Arrest, WhereuPon
Smith Disappears

Smith Disappears.
WASHINGTON, Nov. IA proclama-
tioa Of Y. V. Smith, claiming to be Gov
ernor of Arkansas, addressed to the Presi-
dent and asking for Federal assistance, was
received at the Executive mansion this
forenoon and referred to Attorney General
Williams. No action has yet been taken,
and it is not contemplated to do so to-day.
Several parties from Arkansas to-day visit
ed the President and the Attorney General
in connection with this matter.
Who Smith Is, Or Was-what He Says
Where IL Her
LITTLE Rock, ARK, Nov. 14.-Quite
sensation was created this evening by the
issuance of a proclamation from the Re
publican Office by Y. V. Smith, late Lieu
tenant Governor under Baxter declaring
himself Governor, The proclamation sets
forth that during the absence of the Lieu
tenant Governor, Elisha Baxter abandoned
the Office Of Governor, and turned the same
over to one A. H. Garland. The abdica-
ton and abandonment of the Executive
Office. the late Lieutenant Governor says,
amounts to a parole or constructive resigna-
tion by Baxter. At least if that be not
true, the Office of Governor is vacant, there
Governors Office. Under this state of cir
cumstances the late Lieut. Governorsays he
assumes the duties of Governor. He states
that he has applied to the President to sup
press domestic insurrectIon under the con-
stitution of the United States, and that it
is matter for the President to determine
who is Governor; that he desires and will
countenance no effort looking toward the
use of force. The question can be settled
peacefully, without asresort to arms; that if
the President does not recognize him as
Governor, be will not attempt to GUST Gar
land by force. If he should, then he will
resort to arms. Ifeither party feels aggrieved
at the Presidents decision, he can appeal to
Congress, which soon convenes. The attempt
to seize, and the seizing of the legislative,
executive and judicial offices of the State
at this time, and under the circumstances,
is revolution. Therefore, he commands all
persons claiming to derive political
authority under the new constitution to
desist from the exercise Of all official
authority under it AMI all persons that
may have assumed to act under the
authority of said pretended constitution,
whether executive, legislative or judicial,
are commanded TO relinouish the same to
the persons entitled thereto under the con-
stitution of 1868, within five days.
Such is the substance of Lieut. Gov.
Smiths proclamation, and his document
appeared on the streets in the form of a
Republican extra about s O'Clock this after
noon. 1t is signed V. V. Smith, Governor
Of Arkansas, and Edward Wheeler, Secre-
tary of State.
Soon after its issuance, Gov. Garland OBJ
tanned from Judge Clendennen, of the Cir
cult Court, under one of the State statutes,
Awarrant for the Arrest of Smith,
Wheeler and John G. Price, the latter gen.
eral manager of the Republican Office,
charged with cOnspiring to usurp certain
offices. Mr.. Price was arrested about dark.
The others have not yet been heard from.
Nobody seems to know where Smith is.
Public Sentiment
is all one way, in favor of Garland. This
matter is entirely outside of the old Baxter
Brooks controversy. But little importance
is attached to it here,and every person con-
nected with the matter will be promptly
arrested and tried under the statute re-
ferred to.
The Congressional Investigation Com
mittee will leave here on Monday.
Bakers Late subaIterns Change Pol.
fties.
WASHINGTON, Nov. IA telegram has
been received by the President signed by
all the State officers of Arkansas, elected at
the same time with Lieutenant Governor
Smith, who now claims TO be Governor, |
stating that they recognized Smith as the |
only legitimate Governor, Baxter having |
retiied. The point made by the gentle
men here in the interest Of Smith is, that
the new constitution is of no effect, not |
having been adopted in accordance with
the required forms, and therefore Garland
to be elected nnder it, has no
right 10 the Governorship.
where's Smith?
LITTLE Rock, ARK, Nov. 14-After
the arrest of John G. Price, of the RepubH-
can, for the printing and distributing Of V.
V. Smiths proclamation, the Sheriff
searched the city for Smith and Wheeler,
but could find neither. Price was released
on $4,000 bail. The State-house tonight
is guarded by armed men.