New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-08
TEE ARKANSAS TROUBLES.

PROCEEDINGS OF TIE SELECT COMMITTEE OF IN
vFSTTGATION THE BROOKS PARTY TELLING
THEIR sroRY-TEsTIMoNY OF CHIEF-JUsTICE
MCLURE-A BRIBED LEGISLATOR.
rFRoM AREGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRTBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, June 5-The Select Committee APP
pointed to inquire into the condition of affairs in
Arkansas has held several meetings. The first meet
ing took place last Saturday and lasted some SIX OF
seven hours. The members present were the Chair
man Mr.. Poland of Vermont and Messrs- Ward of
Illinois and Sloss of Alabama. There also
present Senators Clayton and Dorsey and Repre-
sentatives Hynes and Hopes of Alabama. A full
history of the troubles was given by John Mcclure
ChefJustice of the Supreme Court of Arkansas, be-
ginning in 1872 with the nomination for Governor
BY the regular Republican party, of Baxter and by
the Reform Republicans of Brooks, who was after
ward Endorsed by the Democratic Convention and
supported at the polls by the Democrats throughout
the State.
Judge Mcclure related how lie himself, although
opposed TO Baxter's nomination, had supported him
in the canvass; how the election returns were for
maly and regularly counted by the President of the
Senate in the presence of both Houses, and the
result declared 70 be the election of Baxter by
majority of 800 or $500 how Baxter was installed
into office how, soon afterward, Baxter commenced
coOuetry with his old enemies the Democrats; how
that action disguised Mcclure, who thereupon
opened warfare upon Baxter in the columns of
Tie Little Rock Republican. III which paper he NC
Clure had a financial INTEREST,", having control of It's
editorial columns how Brooks endeayOred to have
petition for contest presented in the Senate where
il was rejected with only nine votes in its favor
how he then brought writ Of quo tcaTrdnto IN the
L. $ District Court where il was defeated; how he
then brought similar proceedings in the Supreme
Court of the State with like result, Mcclure dis
senting from the decision of the majority !;
and how. finally, proceedings OF custer were
taken in the Circuit Court of the state,
which were on demurrer decided by Judge Whytoch
in favor of Brooks, who thereupon went 10 the
Statehouse and dispossessed Baxter. The remainder
OF his narrative was made up of events that have
become matter OF public notoriety. The claim OF
Brooks based on the fact that the returns OF three
counties were not sent to the President of the SEN
ate having been withheld by the County Clerk. on
the ground of irregularities; that the maIorltles
there were the side of Brooks and that those ma
iorities if added TO maiorities in ~ townships in
other counties-also withheld from the count-would
have given the majority to Brooks 1t thus appears
that, If the Select Committee is to pass upon the
question of actual right between Baxter and
Brooks it will be necessary to 20 IN detail into the
whole State election OF 1872.
The other witnesses examined were john NJ Olay-
ton-brother to Senator ClaytOn-who was the pre-
siding officer of the Senate when the votes were
counted and Baxter declared Governor but who sub
seouently became Colonel in BroOkss armed force,
and who is now refugee from the state, az Judge
Mcclure and the other witnesses also are. Another
witness was Benton Turner, Sheriff OF one Of the
counties of the State. lie was elected the Legs-
lature on the Brooks ticket, but voted to reject
Brookss petition for contest. He informed the
Committee that the consideration of his doing so
was his appointment by Baxter as Sheriff He sub
sequently turned against Baxter again. He says
that while he was in ST. Louis he understood that a
requistion for his arrest the charge of treason
| was made on the Governor OF Missouri.
Other Illnesses were Mr. Harm econ the District
| Attorney at Little Rock, and Mr. Ganse, defeated
| Democratic candidate for Congress There was nc
person present representing the Baxter side of the
! question. 1t is expected that the Committee,
norton of It, will proceed 70 Arkansas this week.