Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-05-12
NO QUORUM OF THE LEGISLA
TURE PRESENT.
Brooks Dispatch to the President
On the Present State OF Affairs.
Three Members Needed-Brooks 10
Vacate the State HOuse-BaNter
stock Rising a Little.

LITTLE hOCK, May lE.--DrOOhS SUN
occupies the State House and surround
ings. Whether he intends to vaeate or
not under the Presidents Instructions,
is not known. Both Houses met this
morning at the Otter building. There
we're eleven Senators and forty-seven
representatives present. lacking three of
a quorum in the Senate and two in the
House. Tits generally conceded that
there will be quorum in both Houses
tomorrow.
Matters are quiet this morning. Bax-
ter men are jubilant at the idea of Brooks
having TO vacate the State House.
ST.. LOUIS, May l2.-At late hour
last night the Democrat received spe-
cial from Little Rock, containing dis
patch from Joseph Brooks to President
Grant Of which the following is the ma
terial part: After stating that Baxter
has declined the propositions of Attor-
new General Williams, he Gays, in
conversation with members Of the Legis-
latlfre they say Baxter boldly proclaims
that he will not permit an investigation
of his right to the Office. You ask me
to recognize the call of the Legislature
at the instance Of one who declares the
question at issue, and for which you in
sist on its being assembled, shall not be
settled by the tribunal you desire con-
vened. The attempted organization
failed to-day, although persons we're
sworn in as members from districts in
which no vacancies had been declared.
Both Houses Of the Legislature
now have a quorum. This quorum
should pass upon the election returns
and qualifications Of the newly elected
members instead Of the newly elected
members themselves. This action /
cannot and will not willingly submit to,
If 10 the face Of the decision Of the Su-
preme and Circuit Courts Of the State,
deciding that / am, and recognize me
as the legal Governor. You can recog-
nize Baxter as Governor, but it is your
duty to respond to this application
for Federal help. If you cannot
It is your duty to assist me to suppress
the present domestic violence. To dis
band my troops at this time under no
other assurance than what is contained
in your telegram Of to-day would result
in the assassination not only Of Judges
Of the Supreme Court, but Of many OF
my friends, and especially the colored
men, who have been guilty of no crime
save fidelity TO law and order. / shall
hold my troops together for the purpose
of protecting citizens of the State who
believe that the expression Of the will Of
TIE people should be enforced,
and for the protection Of those who
stand by the constitution, laws and adju-
dication Of the courts Of the country.
The Federal bayonets can put Baxter's
Legislature in the State. house, butt am
ignorant Of the clause Of the constitu-
ton under which the President has the
power. Nothing else viii, and when
there doubtis you can compel them to
determine who is Governor. It is time
this agony Of doubt and uncertainty was
over. The interests Of humanity de-
mand thst it be settled, and ii you have
: thepower under the constitution and laws
Of the United States 70 settle the oues-
; ton Of who is.Governor Of Arkansas
adverse to the decision Of the courts of
the State to settle it, settle II AT
once. / shall not resist what you NAV
order your troops to do, but shall with
all the power at my command repel any
and al attempts by Bakers forces to-
take possession Of the State-house.
am confident that q legal quorum of the
Legislature will not respond to Baxter
call, and shall not assent nor be a
party to converting the Legislature under
any agreement other than that submitted