The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-02-19
Report OF the Select Committee on
Arkansas Affairs.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.-The Select Com
mit.ee on Arkansas Affairs, in their report to
the House. say:
The new Constitution we regard as republican
in form. and in many respects an improvement
upon that Of l-6s. The committee are satisfied
that the Convention 10 frame the Constitution,
and the Constitution itself, were voted for and
,asaf,ofy e 'leT, s y inc ecers s sra cer
tainly elected by a majority Of the votes cast,
and, we think, by maj ority OF the votes IN The
state. The condition Of the state has been az
peaceful since the new Government was Inaugu-
rated il ever has been. The mass OF the peo-
pie on both sides are inclined to peace and good
government. and to allow all the enjoyment
Of their LEGAL rights. but there h a class Of
men, the outgrowtI Of a former state Of soci-
ETY., who delight in disturbing and depriying
colorcd people and Northern people OF their
rights. These are Young men who cannot be re-
strained. This class OF men, together with the
general custom Of carrying deadly weapons
another legacy Of barharisni--are me real causes
Of violence and bloOdshed. The changes caused
hv the war giving freedom and political equality
~ the coloret people. are not well rellsheu ~
southern people, but most % them would 20
nothing 20 disturb them. Eut the class % which
we have alluded feel that they may invade the
rights Of colorcd men. especially in any political
quarrel and their ofien~er VIII be wlnked A. we
are satisfied that the true prosperity Of the south
em states depends more upon iustand stern deal
ng by them with this lawless class 81 men than
upon any other cause. Arkansas probably presents
no different condition from that Of other cotton
states where political control has passed into the
hands Of the class who ruled before the war. The
people ~ every state have the right 70 make their
own Constitution 90 suit themselves. provided IL
be republican in form, and in harmony with the
Constitution Of the United states, and the Nation
Al Government has not the authority la deprive
them of that right The election heldfo the rati
ncafiOn 81 the 6onstautiOn was under the form OF
law and the officers who conducted il acted under
appointment and under official oaihs, and, al
though we regard all az detective, however, ~
being prcscribedby the Convention instead 81 tile
LEGISLATURE sfill We believe they are entitled 10
lie regarded differently from mere voluntary
meetings. held under no prctense u legal author
iv The committee do not recommend any &C
ton by Congress, or by any department q the
General Government, ia regard TO the state Gov
eminent in Arkansas.
Tni- report is signed by Messrs. Poland,
scud,ler. savlor and >loss. The other MEM
Der Of the committee. Mr.. Ward OF Illinois,
presents his views in opposition 10 The re-
port. and concludes by proposing the follow
iBg resolution:
That Joseph Brooks having been, by the people
~ Arkansas elected 20 the Office Of Governor OF
said state under the Constitution " l~i-, Tor the
period Of four years. ending January. ISL ana
said Constitution never having been legally over
thrown and being still IN force, he y the lawful
Governor Of said state Of Arkansas.