The Van Buren press., 1874-12-15
EX-GOV. BAXTER.
Some of His Views in Relation to Arksn-
sas Matters.
[St. Louis Republican. Dec, 7th. ]

[st. Louis Republican. Dec, 7th.
Ex. Gov Elisha Baxter of Arkansas,
whose name was so familiarly associated
with the recent political troubles in that
state, and whose magnanimous conduct
in twice declining reelection when ten
dered him elected no little admiration,
arrived in the city yesterday and stopped
over at the Southern. He came lp from
Batesvillc, his place of residence, where
he has been since he left Little Rock. and
is now en- route to Washington, where
Mr.. Brooks and many of the leading
spirits in the Arkansas difficulties have
repaired with a view of influencing con
grcssiona action. Gov. Baxter is a gen
tleman of full stature and easy, unpre
tentious presence, and while very frank
in the expression Of opinion, he express
ed Discrimination to be interviewed.-a
mode of being brought before the public
which was liable to be abused He said
he had no hesitation in saying that he was
going to Washington to present a true
state Of the facts, so far as he was iden-
| titled in the recent difficulties
Regarding the anomalous position of
Smith, whom IL believed to be out Of
the state, theI governor said: "Smith
ran on the same ticket with me in 1872
and his vote fell about 300 behind my
| own, and when Brooks usurped authority
Smith sided wth him On the call of
the legislature BS me, after Brooks dis
comtiture, Smith came into the legisla-
ture and presided over the senate, as he
had right to do, He then went home
and run for delegate to the constitutional
convention, was elected as such delegate,
took his seat in the convention, partici.
pated in its proceedings, and signed the
document Now with what consistency
can Smith ignore the constitution and
proclaim himself governor, which he did
by issuing his proclamation one hour af
ter | left for Batesville, claiming that
had abdicated. Vile claims to be my sue
cessor after he d given in his adhesion
by his acts to the new constitution under
which Garland is elected. The conven-
ton passed an ordinance abolshing the
office of lieut.. governor, the president of
the senate, who at present is B.adey
Bunch, being the successor to the office
of governor in case Of his death or re
moval Gov Baxter, is of the opinion
that congress, through the Poland com
mittee, has no jurisdiction over the case
He said: " 1t has the right simply to in,
1 quire into and see that each state has q
government constitutional in form. They
seem to think that Brooks renews the
contest between himself and me but |
have no contestto make. l simply rep.
resent our claims. The senate declared
me elected. beat him in the supreme
court, and he brought suit before the cir.
cult cou!t, an inferior court, in which a
snap judgment was obtained, and he
took possession Of the state. house. i
resisted his usurpation with force, and
the president sided with me "
Gov. Baxter said he would not express
an opinion about Brooks. He was ia
natic.
The governor expressed a belief that
there were not 10000 men in the state,
even including the negroes, but that fully
indorsed the Garland government Busi,
ness is looking Ap. More quiet prevails
throughout the borders Of the state than
at any time since 1861. The state is
about Sl5 100000 in debt, of which Sc,
000,O00 was Illegal railroad bonds. Gov.
Baxter continued; " Following my pre-
J decessors, Clayton and Hadley, | issued
81 400, coo of bonds, part Of which went
to Dorsey We were allowed to issue
SI5, 100000 for such roads as had no
land grants, and $10,000,O00 tor such
roads as had no land subsidy. When !
went into Office issued 100000
bonds, believing it right l subsequent
! ly thought different, and refused to sign
any more bonds, and incurred the enmity
Of Clayton and Ills friends. refused to
become their tool. " The governor
turned out to be quite chatty until the
train left for Washington. With him
went Mr. NJ. L. Rice, brother Of ex.
Senator Rice, who came up yesterday
from Little Rock. Mr., Rice goes to
Washington as 2 lawyer in the Brooks
interest. He takes the ground that the
new constitution Of Arkansas is illegal
according to all precedents; the consti
tuition of 1868 making no provision fol
changing the instrument, except pro
vision for amendment. There was NO
provision for forming a new constitution
If a majority had right to alter their
form of government then secession was
right. Should congress therefore declare
the present constitution illegal, then the
question is as to who is legally governor
Brooks is admitted on all hands to have
been elected by majority of the legal
votes. Mr. Rice says he had no interest