Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-12-17

at the time of the elections was 4.0S2 This en-
braces the garrisons of all the forts from the
Delaware 10 the Gulf of Mexico.
Another trouble mas arisen in Arkansas. Ar
tlcle thirteen of the Constitution of the State.
which was adopted in 1855, and upon the ap-
prOyaI OF which by Congress the State was re-
stored TO representation as one of the States of
the Union. provides. in effect, that before
any amendments proposed 70 this Constitu-
ton shall become 8 part thereof they shall be
passed by two successive Assemblies and then
submitted TO and ratified by majority of the
electors OF the State voting thereon On May
II, 1875, the Governor convened an extra ses-
sion of the General Assembly Of the State
which, on the 18th of the same month. passed
an act providing for a convention TO frame
new constitution pursuant 10 this act, and Al
an election held on the Both Of June. 1874
the convention was approved and delegates
were CHOSEN thereto. who assembled on the l4Jh of
last July and formed new constitution, the
schedule or which provided for the election of an
entire new set of State officers in manner con
trary TO the existing election laws OF the State.
On the 18Th OF October. 1874 this Constitution,
as therein provided was submitted TO
the people for their approval or rejection,
and according TO the election returns was ap
proved Oy large majority of those qualified TO
vote thereon, and at the same election persons
were chosen to MI all the State, county and
township offices The Governor elected in 1872
Tor the term OF four years turned over his Office
to the Governor chosen under the new ConstitU-
ton, whereupOn the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. also
elected in 1872 for term of four years, claiming
10 act as Governor, alleging that said proceed
| ings by which the new Constitution was made
and new set of officers elected were uncOnsti-
tutional and Illegal and void called upon me.
provided IN Section /, Article /, Of the GOnstiru
ton, TO protect the State against domestic viO-
lence As Congress is now investigating the
political affairs Of Arkansas I have declined to
interfere. The whole subject OF Executive
Interference with the affairs OF q State is re
pugnant to public opinion. to the feeling of
| those who from their official capacity must be
USED IN such lnterp0sluOn and 10 him or those
| who must direct. Unless most clearly on the
| side of law such interference becomes crime:
with the law to support it, it is condemned
without hearing | desire, therefore, that all
necessity for Executive direction in local affairs
may become unnecessary and obsolete
invite the attention, not of Congress. but of
| the people of the United States to the causes
! and effects OF these unhappy questions. Is there
| not 8 disposition the one side to magnify
wrongs and outrages. and on the other side TO be
| little and justify themf If public opinion could
be directed to correct survey of what exists, and
to rebuking wrong and aiding the proper authori-
| ties IN Furnishing II, better state of feeling
would be nculcated, and the sooner we would
have that peace which would leave the States
| free indeed to regulate their own domestic
| affairs.
| 1 believe that on the part of the citizens of
/ the Southern States, the better part OF them,
| there is disposition to be law-abding and to do
| no violence either to individuals or the laws
| noring the existence of violence and
| bloOdshed-in resistance to constituted
| authority? | sympathize with their pros
/ trate condition, and would do all in my power to
| relieve them, acknowledging that in some in
stances they have had most trying governments
to live under and very oppressive in the way of
| taxation for nominal improvements, not giving
| benefits equal to the hardships imposed but can
| they proclaim themselves entirely blameless for
| this condition? They cannot. Violence has
/ been rampant IN some localities, and
has further been justified or denied by
| those who could have prevented it. The
| theory is raised that there is to be no further
| interference on the part of the General Govern
| ment to protect citizens within State where
| the State authorities fail to give protection
| rms is great mistake. While re-
| main the Executive all the laws
| of Congress and the provisions of
! the Constitution, including the amendments
| added thereto, will be enforced with rigor, with
| but regret that they should have added one
! iot or title to the Executive duties and powers
/ Let there be fairness in the discussion of South
ern questions, the advocates of both all polit-
ica parties giving honest and truthful reports of
| occurrences, condemning the wrong and uphold
| ing the right, and soon all will be well. Under
| existing circumstances the negro votes the
| friends are of that party. Many a good
| citizen votes the opposite, not because
he agrees with the Bs"t narRE PRINCIPLES 1 bot
cause, generally, he is opposed to negro
| rule. This is q most delusiVe cry. Treat the
negro as citizen and voter, as he is and must
remain, and soon parties will be divided, not on
| the color line, but on principles. Then shall
| have no complaint of sectional interferences.
| JUDICIAL AFFAIRS.
| The report of the Attorney General contains
ministratiOn of justice in the courts of the United
| States, to which invite your attention.
! respectfully suggest to Congress the prOpriety
| of increasing the number of the judicial dis
trlCts in the United States to eleven the present
| number being nine, and the creation of two add
tiOnal Judgeships. The territory TO be traversed
by the Circuit Judges is so great and the business
| of the courts so steadily increasing that it Is
| growing more and more impossible for them TO
Keep up with the business requiring their atten-
| ton. Whether this would involve the necessity
| of adding two more Justices of the Supreme
| Court to the present number | submit to the
| Judgment of Congress.
THE INTERIOR.
The attention of Congress is invited to the
port of the Secretary of the Interior and to the
| legislation asked for by him. The domestic in
terests of the people are more intimately con
nected with this department than with
either of the other departments of the Gov
eminent It's duties have been added to
from time to time until they have become
so OnerOus that, without the most perfect
system and order, it will be impossible for any
Secretary of the Interior to keep trace of ali
official transactions having his sanction and done
in his name, and for which he is held personally
responsible.
The policy adopted for the management of In
dian affairs known as the peace policy" has
been adhered to with the most beneficial results.
1t is confidently hoped that few years more will
save our frontier from Indian depredations.
commend the recommendation of the Sec
rotary for the extension Of the Homestead
laws to the Indians, and Tor some sort
of territorial government for the Indian
Territory. A great majority oil Ine INDIANS OCcu-
plying this Territory are believed to be incapable
of maintaining their rights against the more CIV
ilized and enlightened white men. ANY territorial
form of government given Ethem, therefore,
should protect them in their homes and property
for period of at least twenty years, ana before
its final adoption should be ratified by majority
Of those affected.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
herewith attached, gives much interesting statis
teal information, which | abstain from giving an
abstract Of but refer you to the report Itself
PENSIONS OF THE WAR OF 1872
The act of Congress providing the oath
their pensions cuts of from this bounty a few
survivors of the war of 1872 residing in the
Southern States | recommend the restoration
of this bounty to all such. The number
of persons whose names would be restored TO
the list of pensioners is not large. They are all
old persons who could have taken no part in
the rebellion, and the services for which they
were awarded pensions were IN defense OF the
whole country.
THE CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION
The report of the Commissioner OF Agriculture,
herewith attached, contains suggestions of much
interest to the general public and refers to the
approaching Centennial and the part his
department is ready take in 1t [ feel that
the nation at large is interested in hsv-
ing this Exposition a success, and com
mend to Congress such action as will secure a
greater general interest in 1t. Already many
foreign nations have signifed their intention TO
be represented at it. 1t may be expected that
every civilized nation will be represented.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The rules adopted to improve the civil service
of the Government have been adhered TO as
closely as has been practicable with the opPo
sitiOn with which thew meet. The effect of ii