The Van Buren press., 1874-05-12
Address of the Democratic -Conse vatve
State Central Committee.

At n meeting Of the Democratic Conscr-
vativc State Committee, assembled ut Little
Rock on the ID inst, an address or appeal to
the people of the State was made urging a
full attendance of the members Of the Lcsis-
laturc on the llth Of May.
Room OF DEMOCRATIC & CONSERVATIVE
STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE,
Little Rock, May 2, 1874.
it our bounden duty to submit to our party.
and the people Of the State. a short statement
Of affairs here at the Capital
The Legislature at it. last session, decided
that Elisha Baxter WAS duly elected COVER
nor Mr.. Brooks presented his petition for n
contest within few days of the close of the
session, and it was voted down by large ma
jority. Then Mr.. Brooks, through r. ID W.
lonlcy. the attorney general. made applica-
ton to the supreme court of the State, and
after an exhaustive argument, that court in
deliberate and able opinion. decided that the
legislature alone had jurisdiction of contest
for the Office Of governor. and the supreme
court, nor any other court, had any jurisdic-
ton TO try the case.
Now. representing the party. as we do here
and in full view OF the responsibility we az
sumo. we say to you:
That these proceedings Of Brooks are revo-
lutionary, and wholly subvcrsive of law and
good government
That he Is sustained, upheld and supported
b. Clarion. Mcclure 4 Co., and by the Little
Rock Republican.
That he has deliberately left and deserted
the party that supported him, and has gone
over to the camps Of the cOuntry's enemies.
That Gov. Baxter was elected from his Of
fee because he refused to carry out the
schemes OF plumber and oppression of the
people Of this State which Clayton and Dor
scy and the radical ring here desired.
TO sum up the whole matter Brooks has
gone over to the ring and Baxter is wIrn
THE PEOPLE.
Now. there Is only one way out Of this
trouble and that is through the legislature.
and constitutional convention. Gov. Baxter
has issued call for meeting of the legisla-
turc on the llth inst, and desires that they
shall settle this contest by calling n constitu-
tional convention. and thus remit the settle
ment to the people. This Is just, 1t Is right,
LET THE PEOPLE SETTLE IT.
Then. fellow citizens, disclaiming all inten-
tion of dictation In this terrible crisis. we ad
wise that you all insist upon meeting of the
legislature and call Of constitutional con
vention. and see to It that your members
come up here on the llth day of May. 1874
and thus peaceably aud lawfully put at rest
" now and forever" this long vexed question
of who Is governorY'
We stand where we stood in June. 1872
battling against the same enemy. and as Mr.
Brooks has entered their camp we cannot fol-
low him.
GORDON n PEAY.
Chairman Of Committee.
JAMES l.. WITHERspooN,
Ton. = DocKERY,
JoHN ID. ADAMS,
l.. A. PINDALL.
(by j. N. Smithee. prox.)
FRANCIS A. TERRY,
A. c. PICKETT.
Democratic Central Committee.
y. J. BRowN, of Craw ford,
). X. PErriGREw Of Washington.
I, b. HASLEY, Of Philips.
Of the Committee are also. warm supporters
Of Gov. Baxter. And only two OF the Com
mittee. James +, Pagan and j. +. Crayens
have allied themselves with Brooks, Clayton
4 Co.