The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-02-11
Arkansas Affairs.
REPORT OF THE INVESTIGA TING
COMMITTEE.
The Present State Government Legal.
CONDITION OF THE STATE PEACE
., Full.
The Ne,s Constitution Valid.

WASHINGTON February 6.-The Select Commit
tee on Arkansas Affairs made their report to-day
in the House, which is very lengthy document
They conclude their report as follows The new
Constitution we regard as Republican in form,
and in many respects an Improvement upon that
Of 1868. The committee are satisfied that the Con-
vention to frame a Constitution and the Constitu-
ton itself were voted for and are satisfactory to the
majority of voters and the people of the State.
The State officers were certainly elected by q
majority of the votes cast and we think by ma
jorty of the votes in the State. The condition of
the State has been as peaceful since the new gov
ernment was inaugurated as it ever has been. The
mass ofpeople on both sides are inclined to peace
and good government, and to allow the enjoy
ment of their legal rights. But there is class of
men, the outgrowth of the former state of society
who delight in disturbing and depriving the col
ored people and northern people of their rights.
These are young men who cannot be restrained
This class ofmen, together with the general Gus
tom of carrying deadly weapons, another legacy
of barbarism are the real causes of violence and
bloodshed. The changes caused by the war Civ
ing freedom and political equality to the colored
people are not well relished by the Southern peo-
pie, but most of them would do nothing to disturb
them, but the class to which we have alluded feel
that they may invade the rights of colored men,
especially in any political quarrel and that their
ofienses will be winked at. We are satisfied that
the true prosperity of the Southern States depend
more upon just and stern dealing by them with
this lawless class of men than any other cause
ri hohl lu nn 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 of every"State
have right to make their own Constitution to
suit themselves, provided it be Republican in
form, and in harmony with the Constitution of
the United States and the National Government
has not the authority to deprive them of that
right. u,..r .. ....I.
The election held for the ratification of the Con-
stitution was under form of law, and the officers
who conducted 1t acted under appointment and
under official oaths and although we regard all as
defective, however, being prescribed by the Con-
venton instead of the Legislature still we believe
they are entitedto be regarded differently from
mere voluntary meetings held under the pretense
of legal authority.
The Committee do not recommend any action
by Congress, or by any department of the General
Government in regard to the State government in
Arkansas.
This report Is signed by Messrs. Poland, scud-
der. Sayler and sloss.
| .... A AMINoRITY REPORT.
The other members Of the Committee Mr.. Ward,
of Illinois, presents his views in opposition TO the
report, and concludes by proposing the following
resolution: That James Brooks having been by
the people Of Arkansas elected TO the Office OF
Governor of said State under the Constitution Of
1873 for period of four years, ending in ia nuary
1877 and said Constitution never having been
legally overturned or abrogated, and being still
In force he Is the lawful Governor of said State Of
Arkansas. ...
GREAT REJOICING IN ARKANSAS.
LITTLE ROCK, February 6.-The majority report
of the Arkansas Investigation Committee was re-
ceived here to-day with general rejoicing. Can
mons were fired and the people generally enthused.
One hundred guns were fred at Pine Bluff and
Eve hundred at Hot Springs on the reception of
the news,