The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-01-16

party Of the approval Of movement so radi-
cal towards the social equality Of the races,
and the measure fell dead for the session.
The Moieiy bill, under which Sanborn and his
Republican coDfederates had doperated, wasre-
pealed by both houses June IS. On the same
day the President sent the Canadian Reel
procity Treaty TO the Senate, where Il has
since slumbered, the principal opposition to
it coming from Pennsylvania. The bill to
abolish the Boss Shepherd government
over the District of Columbia, and to substi-
tute commission composed Of three persons
was finally passed June 20. The President a
few days after, astonished the country by
sending to the Senate the name Of Shepherd
Whose corrupt administration had been the
principal cause Of the abolition Of the District
Government as one Of the new Commission.
ers. Suchamazing obtuseness, or impudence,
received its proper rebuke even from Re-
publican Senate, by vote Of SO to o. After
much skirmishing between the two Houses
the trouble about the currency was tided over
to the next session by Conference Cur
rency bill,n which was passed by both Houses
June 20, and received the signature of the
President. Congress also passed certain
amendments to the Bankruptcy act and ad-
journed, after busy and exciting session,
June %. The second session began Decem-
Der !, but has not yet resulted in any practi-
cal legislation of consequence.
Several Cabinet changes took place during
the year. The Presidents preposteroas nom.
ination of George ii. Williams to be Chief
Justice having been unfayorably received by
the country, that worthy was permitted to
retire and retain the Attorney Generalship.
The growing public displeasure ut the mani
fest ineompetency Of Mr. Richardson, Secre.
tary Of the Treasury, induced him to resign
June /. The President appointed George
II. Bristow, of Kentucky, to the vacancy.
Postmaster General Creswell resigned June
"a, and the position was rendered to Eugene
Hale, member of Congress from Maine Af
ter few days deliberation, Mr.. Hale decid
ed TO decline, and the President then tee-
graphed to Mr.. Jewell, Minister to Russia, to
come back and be Postmaster General, which
that gentleman promptly did. The Presi-
dents first two nominations for Chief Justice
to fill the vacancy caused by the death Of
Judge Chase were unfortunate. That of
Williams was disgusting to the whole country,
and that of Cushing to the majority of the
Republican party. Both were withdrawn;
and when the President surprised Congress
by lifting from his comparative obscurity Mr.
Morrison r. Waite, an Ohio lawyer, and
sending in his name as Chief Justice, the Sen
ate hastily confirmed the nomination to check
further scandal to the party.
! THE SOUTHERN TROUBLES
The condition Of several of the Southern
States during the year gave occasion for an
uneasiness on the part Of the country, and
the appointment of investigating committees
in some instances by Congress. AT the be-
| ginning of the year o serious difficulty arose
in Texas between the incoming and outgoing
Governors and their partisans. Governor
Davis, the old Governor, Republican,
claimed the Office until April IS, while the
new Governor, Mr.. Coke, Democrat, insist
ed that his term began at once. There was an
assembling Of armed men in Austin, the cap
ital, and at one time the aspect Of affairs was
grave, but after Davis appeal to the Pres-
dent for assistance and his receipt Of tele.
gram from the Attorney General, announcing
that the Executive would not interfere, he
surrendered January 10, and Governor Coke
was duly installed. The Baxter Brooks war
in Arkansas broke out April Is. Chief Jus.
tice Mcclure, Senators Clayton aud Dorsey,
and the carpet-baggers' ring in Arkansas,
finding that they could not make tool of
Governor Baxter, whom they had fraudulently
counted into office, resolved to oust him.
Accordingly decision Of the Supreme Court
declaring that Brooks (who had since sold
himself to the ring) was the righ,fuI Governor,
was sprung upon the State. Brooks and his
followers seized the State House in Little
Rock and fortified the approach to it. Gov
ernor Baxter issued proclamation calling
out the State troops and a counter proclama-
ton was issued by Brooks, and in response to
their calls armed men Aocked INTO the capi-
tai. A collision between the. parties took
place April 80, in which the Brooks party was
repulsed with loss of nine killed and twenty
wounaeu' Inc rfesiaen' oehg called upon
70 interfere ase'uea may 70 '0a' baxter must
De recognized as usVernor. Inc BROOKS
parry immediately evacuated the state-house
anu apanuoned ,he armed reoeillon, ana the
ring transferred 'neir cause 10 congress.
governor Baxter eaiied toge'her the Legisia-
lure, and ai'er II nad assembled IN May 1t
proceeded 70 impeaeh ana remove f" Poker
JACK Mcclure ana ms partisan associates
irom the supreme Bench, ana TO call CON
sututional convention The people ratified
the call by an overwhelming majority June
30, and The convention assembled two weeks
later and adopted new constitution. This
was also ratihed by the people, and new set
Of State officers, headed BY Mr. A. II. Gar
land for the Goyernor, was choss1 without
| ~ N w IN.