The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-04-20
Tho Troubles I'm Arkansa..

LITTLE Rock, April 19.-Three hundred
men from Pine Bluff, one hundred and fiftr
from Washington, one hundred from Bates.
vile, aud fifty from Saline county reiuforced
the Governors troops this morning. Those
from Pine Bluff are nearly all colored men.
They came with oolors flying and bands
playing. .-.
The Governor is now holding consulta-
ton with his generals. His intention is to
surround the State House and cut off its
supplies. The State House party has been
pressing colored people Into service. The
Governor says no will prevent bloodshed If
possible, but "by the eternal the insurgents
must and will be put down." One thousand
more men are expected TO arrive this eve
ming.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE MAYOR OF LIT
TLg ROCK AND ATToRNEY-GgEERAL WILL
L LIAAs.
WASHINGTON, April 1s.-The following
correspondence, by telegraph, trauspired to-
day: . .- .....
Ltttle Rock, April 1s.--To Attorney Gene.
raj Williams, Washington: In your dispatch
to Governor Brooks infer that you intend
to be understood as saying that the PreSi-
dent cannot recognize him as Governor until
his right has been fully and finally recognized
by the courts. understand from your dis.
patch to Governor Baxter that the President
cannot recognize him until his right has been
settled by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court will not be in session
until June. Now, what are We to do in the
mean time! Governor Baxter has issued
his proclamation putting the city under mar
tial law, and armed men pretending to act
under his orders are patrolling the streets,
hla onH r1nornonA aifizpnS
and setting the authority of the city officers
| at defiance and arresting the police. Not only
this, but private property is being forcibly
seized and appropriated in q like manner.
The construction placed on your dispatch by
Governor Baxter is that it is 4 license TO
| make an attack on the Brooks faction, with
an assurance in so doing the Federal Govern.
ment will not interfere.
You will readily see that the city
| is sure to become scene of bloodshed over
la strife its authority is not responsible for,
and which they have not the power to set
| tie, and placed where an appeal TO either one
| of the persons claiming to bc Governor lays
| the city authorities liable to the charge OF
| being the partisans OF the one appealed to.
desire to ask il the Federal Government is
mower less to protect the lives aud property OF
| q. 900 Inhabitants who are situated as we
are. If you will instruct the officers in
command Of the arsenal to aid the city
police in making the arrest Of men who are
openly violating the law and setting the same
| al defiance, could preserve the peace OF
the city without being compelled to take
sides with either Of the contending factions.
This question of who is the rightful Gov
ernor can only be settled by the courts-a
thing that may not be done for the next
twelve months ; and I now implore you in
the name of peace to aid me all in your
power until the other question is settled.
TSignedl FREDERICK KRAMER.
mayor of Little Rock.
Department Of Justice, Washington, april
1S.--Frederack Kramer, Mayor Of Little
Rock, Ark.: You must be aware that the
President cannot interfere in the domestic
difficulties of State except in conformity
| with the Constitution and laws Of the United
States. He caunot recognize call made
| upon him for military aid by the mayor of a
| city. He has instructed the officer command
| ing the United States troops at Little Rock
to prevent bloodshed. That is all he can do
| under existing circumstances. will ask, in
| answer to your inquiry, whether The United
States are powerlcss to protect twenty thou
! sand people situated as the citizens of Little
Rock are if the people Of Arkansas have not
| patriotism enough to allow a question az to
who shall hold State Office to be settled
peaceably and lawfully, and not bring upon
| their State the disgrace and ruin of civil
var. [Signedl GRo. II. WILLIAMS,
Acknowledgement.