The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-10-30
"POKER JACK. +"
INTERVIEW BETWEEN AN ARKANSAS CARPET
DAGGER AND ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAMS.

[St Louis Republicans Chattanooga Letter.]
As . rule, the caIpet-bagger OF the South has
numbered among his distinctive traits the rank
est cowardice and personal poltroonery. He has
been adroit at manipulating the votes and mOul-
ding the opinions OF the colored brother. He
has affected religion and philanthropy. He has
managed to present himself to the gaze Of the
North in the attitude of . martyr. But he has
always been . nOn-combatant. A Whit Of smoke
sends him bustling into the nearest custom
terrify him into calling for "more troops" And
SO on. This is the sort Of carpet-bagger we find
in Patterson or Moses, and Kellogg and Spencer.
But the Arkansas carpet-bagger is . different
breed altogether. He affects neither religion
nor philanthropy: 4 hardened sinner, he glories
has nerve and il game. There is Mcclure, g. Po-
ker Jack" they call him, . perfect type of the
Arkansas carpet.bagger. The best illustration
can give OF McClure's character is by describing
Williams last winter, after the Administration
had acted IN favor of Baxter.
Mcclure came to Washington with his blue
eyes full Of blood. The opinion Of the Attorney
General had struck him in the region Of the
diaphragm, and to say he was mad would be to
draw it very mild. He went up to the Depart
ment Of Justice and demanded to see Williams.
That functionary received him.
~ am Chief Justice Mcclure, Of Arkansas"
he began, and have read yonr opinion on the
case recently decided by the President. Now,
Sir, wish to say that the papers on which you
based your opinion, and which you refer to rs
having been certified to you BY the clerk Of my
court, are either forged or garbled."
Attorney General. He had been accustomed to
the behavior OF the lackey on the ipart of the
traditional carpet Dagger, but here was one play
ing the bully. It was incomprehenslble to the
Attorney General
81 say. SIR" replied the imperturbable Nc
Clure, 'that believe those papers are either
forged or that new matter has been interpolated
in them and say further, sir, that the reputa.
ton Of your department and the known charac-
ter Of yourself incline me to the belief that these
frauds have been enacted in your Office, and by
your instigation or connivance."
What do you mean, sir p gasped the breath
less Williams.
II mean Just what I say replied Mcclure,
the originals Of those papers which you claim
have been certified to you by the clerk Of my
court"
"You talk, sir, like man who is lying" said
Mcclure. ''In fact, sir, believe you are lying.
Not to put too fine APPOINT upon it, you are id
liar sir. Original papers are never sent to the
Senate or the House except by special demand
for them. The resolution of the Senate in regard
to these papers, called for copies. and copies
were sent, You do not wish me to see the oriki-
mails, SIR for fear that will detect the interpola-
tions that have been perpetrated in your Office.
I believe you have been bought up in this mat
ter, SIR"
At this Williams turned and left the room. His
chief clerk then came up to Mcclure and said
I regard your remark as . personal insult to my
self"
$50 to hill" said Mcclure. "You don't
know the difference between an insult and an
apology. There is not q man in this department
who Is capable Of resenting anything. Don't
talk to me at all, sir:
Then Poker Jack stroked his long beard,
walked up and down the room few minutes, and
took his leave. Well, that is the sort OF carpet
baggers the people of Arkansas have to deal
with. Men who know neither scruple, compunc.
lion, nor fear They mean to revolutionize the
State over again. They are proceeding about it
IN q very Systematic way, and they will make
deal Of trouble before they are disposed Of