The Van Buren press., 1876-03-21
Senator Dorsey-Davies Letter, Etc,

Is OF but little consequence now much, or III
what connection my name Is brnitcd In the
new pa pers, but 1t Is nevertheless, of some
importance to me; ana, therefore, desire to
notice, in a brief manner the letter OF Mr.
Da1e, OF Fort Smith. as published in the New
Fra and reproduced in the Van Buren, Press
of last week.
Mr. Davic therein asserts that WAS one
among number Of gentlemen who, with
himself. IN an interview with Senator Dorsey
during the senatorial canvass before the gem
eral assembly, at Little Rock, in the winter
OF 1873. promised our support to the preten-
sions of said Dorsey, in consideration of his
promise to obtain the appointment OF one OF
our number to the Office of u ) Marshal.
What chiefly wish to say in reply, Is that
that part of Mr.. Davies statement is incor-
rect. and his memory is certainly at fault for
cannot remember meeting him in the pres
ence of Mr. Dorsey in any confidential in
terview whatever, at the time mentioned. or
t any other time; and am sure never met
in the company of Mr.. D, any one or more of
the gentlemen he names, when one word was
said either about the senatorial question or
ipBotttiLttt vi II u . uiATsltti.
But cannot deny giving my vote for Mr.,
Dorsey for L. 5. senator, Yet for doing So
! am in sackcoth and ashes.
What were the circumstances moving my
support of Dorsey? Let me answer the ques
tion; when | arrived at Little Rock, to take
part in the deliberations and business of the
general assembly, found two prominent re.
III !, ,ljpap 1nta ~ u IA,
and Dorsey; and the latter, soon thereafter,
obtained the nomination in republican eau
Gus over his competitor, both. however, re-
manning as candidates, afterwards. with near
y equal strength. chose to favor the pre-
tensions of a man did not know to one with
whom was acquainted, because of being led
into fhe erroneous belief that Dorsey was a
very proper person for the hinh position
barring his short residenc in the State
An objection, certainly. but not an insuper-
able one. And then Mr.. Dorsey pretended to
be In harmony with the reforms contempla-
ted by the platform or declaration Of prnci-
eiples. upon which Baxter was elected. giving
also the strongest assurances that he would
heartily support the governor aud his repub-
lican friends In their efforts towards an hon
est administration of the State governments
intimating, too, that he would frown upon all
attempts in the general ssembly to legislate
otherwise than honestly. while Bowen was
more than suspected of camping with the
common enemy.
That Mr. Dorsey proved false to all his
his promises and professions. was shown in
the sequel, and. in casting about for prece-
dents, and measuring treachery somewhat by
its results. am tempted to declare that Ben
edict Arnold was an honorable man.
have no desire be it understood. to break
the effect of Mr.. Davies other allegation. He
says Dorsey paid him money for his vote. and
1t would be remarkable if Mr.. Davie did not
remember distinctly from ,ehom he got his
money, and upon what TERMS. And now, if
Mr.. Dell. of the New Era, can succeed in
bringing this case of Mr.. porsoy's before the
u. ). Senate, which alone has the power to
order persons and papers, and at the same
time to enforce its behcsts. even if lie fails to
prove one-half that is alleged-for less thar
that would be enough-hc will deserve wei
OF his country.
The good name of our State demands that
the'o rhail be All IDvestigatlon lhe good
name of the republican party therein de-
mands it, and it should be deferred no longer
AS party we have been brought into con-
tempt in the eyes Of honest republicans else
where, by our supineness To be an Arkan-
sas republican is a reproach unless one can
show that he is not adhering to certain of the
powers that be and control.
People are likely to be judged by the com
pany they keep, and we should set ourselve.
right in these matters If the charges against
Mr.. Dorsey are untrue, why, then, so much
the better for him and for us. Why don't he
himself, ask for an investigation? All! not
n bit of it.
1t is time. also, to call halt to the exercise
of influences in furtherance of schemes of a
questionable character upon too willing or
careless official superior
There is a piece of yet unwrtten history
belonging to the memorable contest resulting
in the election of Senator Dorsey, and it is
this:
On the afternoon preceding the final ballot
an arrangement had been consurnmated be-
tween eleven republican members whereby.
| on the morrow. they were to vote for and ere
ate a new candidate--a gentleman whose in
lcgrity and talent have never heen question
ed-moreover great friend of Gov. Baxter,
and of home- government. aud had the advan-
tage of being long citizen of Arkansas.
This was to be the neuclus to which patri-
otie and honest members could rally. Gut,
during the night q O'Clock it was said) the
| democrats made some sort OF arrangement
whereby they were tran sierred to Dorsey. and
receiving such information at o'clock in the
morning. the purposes of the" eleven were
abandoned.
| Now. it is only possible that had not the
democrats been in such hurry they might
have escaped the "deep damnaton" which
some persons are so uucharitable as to think
they merit L.C. WHITE.
WnrI in Caoson