The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-19
CORRESPONDENCE WITH WASH
INGTON.
The Mayor OF Little Rock ira Com uni
cation with the Attorney General-The

The Mayor or Little Rock fn Com m uni
cation with the Attorney General-The
Government Will Prevent Bloodshed.
WASHINGTON. April IS, 1874.
The following IL among The latest official tee-
grams concerning the troubles IN Arkansas -
LITTLE Rock, Ark, April II, 1874.
To ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAMS, Washington
In your despatch 90 Governor Brooks lnler you
intend 70 oe understood as saying that the Presi-
right mas been July and fairly recognized by
the Courts. | understand from your de-
spatch to Governor Baxter that the, President
cannot recognize him until his right has been
recognized by the Supreme Court. The Supreme
Court VIII not be In session until June. Now, what
are we 10 40 IN the meantlmeg Governor Baxter
has issued u proclamation putting this county
under martial law; and armed men, pretending TO
stopping peaceable and unarmed citizens and set
ting the authority o; the city officers at defiance
and arresting the police. Not only this but Dr-
waite property Is being forcibly seized and appro-
prated In u like manner.
The construction placed on your despatch by
Governor Baxter is That IL IL a license to make an
attack on the Brooks faction, with an assurance
that IN so dong the federal government VIII not
interfere. You VIII readily see that the city is
to become scene OF blo0dshed, and over a strIle
ITS authorities are not responsible for and which
they nave not the power TO settle under the case
OF facts stated and are placed where an appeal to
either OF the persons claimng to- be Governor lays
the city authorities liable to the charge OF being
the partlsans OF the one appealed to. desire to
ask II the federal government Is DOwercss TO pro-
tect the lives and property OF 10000 inhabitants
the 0ncers IN commend OF the arsenal TO aid the
city police In making the arrest OF men who are
openly violating the law and setting the same at
defiance. could preserve the peace or the city
without being compelled to take sides with either
of contending factions. The question OF who
Is the rghtul Governor can only be settled by the
courts thing that may not be done for the next
twelve months, and l now mpiore you, in the
name OF peace. to aid me all in your power until
the other question is settled.
FREDERICK KRAMER, Mayor OF Little Rock.
The following is the reply OF the Attorney Gem
eral-
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WAsHiNGToN, April Is, 1874. !
FREDERICK KRAMER. Mayor OF Little Rock, Ark. -
You must be aware tnat the President cannot
interfere In the domestic difficulties oil State,
except In conformity with the constitution and
laws Of the United States. lie cannot recognize
call made upon INN for military aid by the Mayor
OF city, He has instructed the officer
commanding the United States troops ut Little
Rock TO prevent blOodshed. That Is ali we can do
under the existing circumstances. | Will ask. III
answer to your inquiry, whether the United States
are pOweress TO protect 10000 people situated
as the citizens OF Little Rock, II the people OF
Arkansas have not patriotism enough to allow
question as TO who shall hold state Office to be
settled peaccably and lawfully, and not bring upon
their state the disgrace and ruin OF civil war
GEORGE II. WILLIAMS Attorney General.