New-York tribune., 1874-12-30
great revocation. A fortnight of patience
will now be moro richly repaid than years OF
POKER JACKS CASE.

We regret to observe that the Hon. JOnn
Mcclure of Arkansas does not agree with DIR.
Charles O'COnOr. He 10 likewise at issue with
THE TRIBUNE with Judge Jameson, and with
all the other authorities upon constitutional
law that we can now recall. His argument
before the Arkansas Committee in Washington
| is before us, and we have read it with great
deal more care than anything from such a dis
tinguished source deserves. He makes several
points against tho existing government
| of the State which claims him for its
own, arguing, first that the Constitutional
Convention was unconstitutional, secondly
that the Legislature which authorized it was
not a genuine Legislature. thirdly that the
special election which ratified the COnstitu-
| ton was not lawfully conducted. The first OF
these points has been completely answered III
MIR. O'COnor's recent contribution to The
| TRIBUNE on tho subject of tho amendments
| to the Constitution of NewYOrk. The others
depend upon certain statements of fact and
interpretations of law which we must be ex"
cused from accepting upon Mr. McCluro's au-
, :,nority. Unfortunately he is not trust
worthy guide either in argument or narrative.
He is the same distinguished jurist who attempt
ed, in the Brooks Baxter imbrogliO, to upset the
entire State Government by writ of quo
warranto, and We believe he still insists that
it was the correct and regular thing to do.
But even Attorney General Williams knew
that that was not according to law, and the
Chief-Justice of Arkansas waa accordingly
overruled at Washington by his Own political
friends. That he must be followed with
| caution when he processes to set forth facts is
plain from the history of the Little Rock
Bridge Company, which We recOuntod yester-
day. Jack Mcclure was ono of the choice
spirits concerned in the organization Of that
enterprise, and for aught wo know to the con-
trary, the gorgeous and picturesque prospectus
stuffed so full of mythical railroads and ficti-
tiOus contracts may have been the work OF
his own bold hand.
We have always understood that Poker Jack
Mcclure was the ally Of Gov. Brooks and his
business in Washington was to aid that indie
fatigable claimant in obtaining Federal recog,
milton. 1t does not appear, however, that
Brooks is to mako anything out of this fight,
hOwcy er it may end. The ob!it"ratiOn of the
new Constitution of Arkansas would restore
the administration of Baxter, which has al
ready been recognized by the powers at Wash.
ington. Poker Jack stigmatizes Baxter as
ga thict," and if his administration should
bo restored, fresh steps would be
taken to get Baxter himself out of
the way as speedily as possible. I'm
mediatcly upon the re6stablishment of tho
Baxter dynasty, the plan is to remove the
Governor, on the ground of abandonment, and
raise the heir-apparent-if wo may so speak
to the vacant throne. 1t is at this point of
the game that we can imagine the back door
opening little way and the mysterious figure
of Volney V. Smith dmly looming up in the
rear darkness. This shadowy person is not
80 much as mentioned in McClure's argu-
ment 1t is curious phenomenon in
his case that no is never seen or heard
except when ho is totally unexpected.
Then his amazing name bursts upon
the world. like the ay-star out of chaos.
And so, if Poker Jack ever secures an act Of
Congress declaring Baxter to be the lawful
Governor of Arkansas, it will he discovered
tho next morning that Baxter is not Governor
at all, but the long contested hOnOrs are dcs-
tined for VOlney V. Smith. The Clayton and
Mcclure Ring indeed is in sad want of Gov
ernor of its own, and just now it is determined
to invest in Smith. The speculation in Baxter
in 1872 turned out rs i'll as the purchase of the
Little Rock Bridge charter.