Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1875-02-24
ARKANSAS.

" VIZ Va - D'N
fair to attain in the immediate future
proportions of an overshadowing i'm
portance. To a fair understanding oil
them, a resume of the facts bearing
upon the organization of the present
government of the State Is necessary.
At the general election in 1872 the
contest for the gubernatorial chair was
between Brooks and Baxter. Since the
war, and previous to, and even during
that election, the ultra Democrats had
refused to take any part in politics;
but sullenly accepted the ISSUE and
regarded themselves as a conquered
people. Both Brooks and Baxter
claimed to be Republicans; but, for the
purpose Of securing Democratic votes,
the Brooks faction nominated Greeley
for the Presidency, the Bakeries sup
porting Grant. That small body of
Democrats who took any part in poll
tics Endorsed Brooks in convention
and supported him at the polls. The
election was had, and open, notorious,
~stupendous frauds resulted in the in
auguration of Baxter and his establish
ing himself as Governor de Jacto. A
contest was had in the matter; but the
Legislature, with whom, under the
State Constitution, the determination Of
contested elections vas left, pronounced
in favor of Baxter. Thereupon Brooks
sued out a writ of quo %Uaaranto before
the Supreme Court of the State. The
Court denied the writ, declaring in its
written opinion that it had no jurisdic-
ton in the premises. Pending the
hearing of the writ, Brooks brought
suit in one of the inferior courts of
the State to recover the office of Gov
error. Baxter 1emurred; but, after
the decision of the Supreme Court
above quoted, declined to make any
further appearance. His demurrer
vas overruled and judgment was en-
tered up in favor of Brooks, who
t%hereupon took possession of the State
House. Then followed the call to
arms by both parties Qhis was late in
the Spring of 1874, and what is known
as the Brook-Baxter war ensued. This
struggle was ended by the appeal of
Baxter to the United States Executive,
The President decided that Baxter was
Gnuarpar nf tho Stofn. that hn hn1
been so declared by the Legislature in
whom the constitutional power rested;
that the supreme judicial tribunal of
the State had denied its own jurisdic-
ton to review the action of the Legisla-
ture; and that the President had no
constitutional powerto investigate and
pass upon the frauds alleged by the
Brooks party to have been committed
In the interests of Baxter at the pre-
ceding election. Upon this the Brooks
party laid down their arms and Bax-
ter reassumed the reins of government.
In this decision the President, follow
ing the dictates of the Constitution
and the precedent established and
acquiesced in by all parties in the
Rhode Island case-at the time of the
Dorr rebellion - was undoubtedly
right. Governor Baxter tben-acting
under the orders of Grant-called a
special session of the Legislature. This
body passed resolutions calling fer a
vote on the question of a Constitutional
Convention. The election was had and
the returns showed some $1,000 votes
for, and less than $4,000 votes against
the measure. lit must be borne in
MIND that before the calling of this
convention, and since the election of
1872, the state CT political parties had
entirely changed. Brooks and his fol-
lowers had become, as they are now,
the stanch adherents of the National
Administration. The Baxter Repub-
licans, formerly supporters Of Grant,
had united with the Democracy and
organized the Conservative T" party
The convention assembled, a new con-
stitution was drafted and adopted, and
Hereunder an election was held In
November last, resulting in the choice
Of A. II. Garland as Governor, and the
present de Jacto Legislature. Gov.
Garland, without opposition, entered
upon the performance Of his duties.
In the meanwhile a Committee of In
vestigation into Arkansas affairs was
ordered by the House of Representa-
tives. This committee, composed Of
three Republicans and two Democrats,
with Poland, of Vermont, as chair
man, and known as the Poland Com
mittee, reported, with but one dissent.
Ing voice, on the 9Th instant, in favor
OF b recognition of the Garland O
eminent, and an acquiescence by Con.
gress In the present status generally
On the 9Th instant, and in the face O,
this report, and of his own declare.
lions n actions in the Baxter-Brooks
controversy less than a year ago. Gen
Grant sent to Congress a message