New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-04-17
ARKANSAS.
How Arkansas Changed Her Governor
The Details,

| ARKANSAS.
HOW Arkansas Changed Her Governor
| The Details,
LITTLE ROCK, April l5.-Joseph Brooks
who claims to have been elected Governor
in 1872, took the oath Of office about eleven
O'Clock this morning before Chief Justice
Mcclure, and within five minutes from that
| time took tOrcible possession of the Gov
ernors Office and elected Governor Baxter
by force.
About one year ago Brooks commenced
suit in the circuit court of Pulaski county
for the Office of Governor, and about the
same time time the Attorney General COM
menced suit against Governor Baxter by
quo warranto in the Supreme Court. The
| latter court rendered decision that the
State had no power over a contested cleo
ton for the office of Goyernor. 1t was
| generally regarded that the matter was set
tied so tar as the courts were concerned.
The Legislature in 1873 opened the returns
and declared Baxter elected Nothing
more was thought Of the matter particularly
| until few days ago, when the attorneys of
Governor Baxter desired that the case in
the circuit court be taken up on demurrer,
| with the object of disposing of the same.
| An understanding was then had that the
| demurrer should he submitted and the case
| argued next week.
| On Monday, during the absence of Judges
| English and Compton the ATTORNEYS OF Gov
| ernor Baxter, Mr.. Whipple, the attorney of
| Brooks, arose and stated that it had been
| agreed between himself and Governor Bax-
| ter that demurrer to the jurisdiction of the
court should be submitted. This, although
| in the absence OF Governor Baxter's attOr-
neys, was thought nothing of at the time.
Yesterday morning, about eleven O'Clock,
when there were but few in the courtroom
neither q (ynVprnoc'a eol
ent, Judge WhylOck announced his decision
overruling the demurrer. and none of Bax-
ters counsel being present to answer, plead
over, or move for an appeal, a Judgment of
custer was issued, a writ placed in the
hands of the sheriff, and in five minutes
from that time an armed band, headed by
Brooks, were in the Governors office de-
manding possession.
The Governor declined, whereupOn fore
lble possession was taken and guard
placed at all the entrances to the office. In
the meantime, General CattersOn, who
claimed to act as Brooks Adjutant General,
broke in the door of the armOry, in the
same building, and took possession of about
one hundred stack of arms, Adjutant Gen
erai Strong, of Governor Baxter's staff,
refusing to give up the keys, although sur.
rounded by armed men.
Governor Baxter refused to be elected
except by force, when some of Brooks men
took hold OF him and led him out. Since
that time Brooks has had possession of the
State House. Governor Baxter hes estab-
llshed his headquarters at ST. Johns Col
lege, ,and it is reported the State Horse will
be taken possession of tonight. The great
est excitement prevails throughout the city.
Later.
LITTLE Rock, Ark, April l6.-There,
is but little change in the guberna-
torial muddle. Brooks holds the State
House, which is surrounded by armed men,
about 100 in all. They have two cannon.
Baxter's headquarters are still at st. Johns
College, in the suburbs of the city. He is
preparing to retake the State House. About
1900 stand of arms belonging to the State
are at the arsenal. Both Baxter and Brooks
have made a demand for them, bat the de-
mands are refused. Men are pouring in on
every train. The city is rather quiet.
Baxter Appeals to the President.
The following dispatch was sent By the
Governor to the President:
LITTLE Rock, April Is, 1874,
To the President of the United States:
l have been advised by public rumor that
in the State circuit court for this county.
in long pending case, brought by Joseph
Brooks, for the Office of Governor of this
State, demurrer to complaint was over
ruled and immediate judgement of custer
sence OF counsel for me, and without advice.
and immediately thereafter the circuit Judge
adjourned his court. The claimant has
taken possession of the State buildings and
elected me by force Ipropose to take meas
ures Immediately to resume possession of the
State property, and to retain my authority
as righttul Governor of the State Armed
men, acting under this revolutionary move
ment, are now in charge of the government
arInory and capitol buildings. l deem it
my duty to communicate this state of af-
fairs to the President. / trust the revolu-
tiOnary acts may be settled without blood
shed, and respectfully ask the support of
the general government in my efforts to
maintain the rightful government of the
State of Arkansas, and that the commander
of the United States arsenal of this post be
directed to sustain me in that direction. l
respectfully request reply to this cOmmu-
nicatiOn at an early moment.
ELISHA BAXTER,
Governor of Arkansas.
Orders from Washington.
WASHINGTON, April 16.-The Secretary of
War has telegraphed the commanding Off
Ger at Little Rock not 70 iuterfere in the
political troubles there, except to preserve
The following dispatches were sent to.
day;
DEPARTMENT or JUSTICE,
Washington, April IS, 1874.
To Hon. Joseph Brooks Little Rock, Arkansas:
am instructed by the President to saw
in answer to your dispatch to him, of yes
terday, asking that the United States com
officer at the arsenal be instructed
to deliver the arms in his custody belong
ing to the State to you or hold them subject
to your order, that he declines to comply
with your request as he is not advised that
your right to hold the office of Governor
mas been fully and finally determined by
the courts Of Arkansas
GEORGE II. WILLIAMS,
Attorney General.
DEPARTMENT OF JUsTIcRl
Washington, D. O., April is, 1874.
TO Hon. Elisha T. Baxter Little Rock:
am instructed by the President TO say
n answer to your dispatch TO him yester-
1ay, asking for the support of the general
government to sustain your efforts to main
tain the rightful government in the State of
Arkansas, that in the first place your call
is not made in conformity with the cor
stitution and laws Of the United States
and in the second place that ~
the controversy relates to your right IN
hold State Office, its adjudication. un,es.
. case il made under the aO.caJled enforna.
CONTINUED ON FOURTH pA0r