The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1874-05-30
NUMBER 50. 4.

| both Baxter and Brooks; that Brooks shall
| present to said Legislature statement of his
claims to the Office of Governor, and that the
Legislature, after full and fair Investigation,
shall decide rs to the legal rights of the con-
testants both parties to quietly abide by the
result. A further item in the agreement is
to the effect that both parties shall disband
all their troops with the exception of body
guard of one company, and both parties to
keep absolute peace pending the investigation.
The President, in his discretion, is to desig-
nate which of the contestants meanwhile shall
exercise the duties of the Office of Governor.
This agreement was forwarded in the name
Of Attorney General Williams, with the state
ment that both the President and himself fav-
ored its adoption. The proposition was re
| jected by Baxter, on the grounds
that he had submitted substantially the
same propositions to Brooks some time
ago and they were Indignantly rejected,
Brooks announcing that he would have moth
| ing to do with the Legislature-that they had
| no jurisdiction, and he would not recognize
them or anything they might do. Baxter
| further stated that there was quorum of the
| Legislature then assembled under his call,
| with the Presidents assurance of protection,
and that they were to meet on the following
day and determine the question. He finally
recommended the call of q Constitutional
| Convention with view to resubmitting
| the whole question to a voteIof the people.
| Brooks signifed his acceptance of the pro-
posed agreement, at the same time asserting
| that the Supreme Court of the State is the
! only tribunal that has authority to construe
| the provisions of the Constitution bearing on
| the matter, and that. such decision was a.
| ready recorded IN his favor.
| kilograms from the President were re-
ceived by both Baxter and Brooks, on the
11th, recommending that the members OF. the
| Legislature then present at the Capital adj
| journ for ten days, jn order to give Brooks
an opportunity to call in the members who
are friendly to him. The Federal authorities
| would give the necessary protection to the
| Legislature in meeting and transaeting its
| business at the State-house. and it was mr.
! gently requested by the President that the
armed forces on both sides be disbanded.
Baxter replied, by stating that there was
| then almost a quorum of both Houses
present, and that as soon as they had q
| quorum. and could eonstitutoDally do so, he
! would favor an adjournment as requested.
| He would disband his troops as fast as Brooks
did his; but Brooks must quit the State-house
/ and deposit the State arms in the armory, and
| let the public buildings be turned over to
johnson, Secretary of State. This dispatch
was indorsed by the President of the Senate,
the Speaker ofthe House, and foFty-four 9TH
er members of the State Legislature. The
President, by Acknowledgement Williams.
! telegraphed to Baxter IN reply, that his pro-
posals were considered fair and satisfactory,
and that he had asked Brooks to signify
/
posed terms. Brooks's reply to the
President was in effect, that he had
| accepted in good faith the proposal made by
the President through the Attorney-G General
| on the 9th, and had in accordance Herewith
issued a proclamation coEvening the Legisla-
ture on May %. He alleged that persons had
been that day sworn in as members of the
| Legislature from districts in which no vacan-
ces had been declared, and that he would not
submit to such irregularities. He called the
the Federal Constitution, declaring that "full
faith and credit shall be given to the judicial
proceedings of every State" and added: "1f,
in the face of the decision of the Supreme and
| Circuit Courts of the State deciding that I am,
and recognizing me as, the legal Governor,
you can recognize Baxter as Governor, it is
your duty to respond to his application for
Federal help; but If you cannot, it isyour duty
to assist to suppress the present domestic ylo-
lenee." He further declared that to disbandh his
troops at this time would result in the assas-
sination of the Supreme Court Judges as well
as others of his friends, especially his eolOred
adherents; and in conclusion declared that he
should hold his troops together. "Federal
bayonets can put Baxters Legislature in the
State-house, but am ignorant" he says, "of
the clause of the Constitution under which the
president has the power. Nothing else will;
and when there, I doubt If you can compel
! them to determine who is Governor. It Is
time this agony, doubt and uncertainty was
4 over. The interests of humanity demand
/ that it shall be settled, and if you have the
power under the Constitution and laws of the
4 United States to settle the question of who is
Governor of Arkansas adverse to the decision
of the courts of the State, settle it, and settle
i it at once. / shall not resist whai you may
order your troops to do, but shall, with all
/ the power at my command, repel any and all
attempts by Baxtef's forces to take possession
! of the State-house. am confident that
/ a legal quorum of the Legislature
will not respond to Baxter's call and shall
/ not assent nor be party to conyening the
Legislature under any agreement other than
that submitted by yourself, through the At
j torney- General, on the 9th inst"
! The House met at p. M, thirty-seyen
members being present, and adjourned to the
/ following day.
/ A skirmisf took place on the north side of
the river, during the day, in which there was
some blood drawn, but the number of CASUAL
/ ties was not reported. Quite a large force on
each side confronted the other, and there was
imminent risk at one time of general en-
gagement. Colonel Rose sent over detach-
ment of regular troops to prevent a collision
if possible, and both sides withdrew their
/ troops to the city before nigthfall.
/ A short. but sharp, engagement occurred
i between the rival forces at Little Rock on the
18th, brought about by the Brooks men en-
deavoring to cut off some Baxter recruits who
! were expected via the Cairo and Fulton
Railroad. A company of Federal soldiers
/ put an end to the fight by marching in be-
tween the combatants. Baxter had three
men wounded, and it was reported that
Brooks had one or more killed and several
wounded.
Both houses of the Legislature met, but the
Senate still lacked three Of quorum and the
House two.
5, A telegram from the President was re-
eeived, asking if the Brooks party were pre-
venting members of the Legislature from at
tending. The telegram was answered in the
affirmative, and stating that but for the stop
, page of trains by the Brooks forces there
a would have been quorum the first day.
Brooks still occupied the State-house, though
. it was reported he was moving out with the
. records in the evening.
! Another communication was telegraphed
: by Brooks to the Attorney y-eSeneral at Wash
|. | ington. further defining his position, and