The Van Buren press., 1876-10-10
The Third District.
How Matters Stand in the Central Part
Of the Oistrict-letter from the
Capitol.
The Radicals to Support Crayens---
Wv. Smith on the stand
LITTLE Rock, Oct. 7, 1876.

T. AuC 1NuulCuhS VI ONUkUgIN ShosShc-
| Wv. Smith on the stand
LITTLE Rock, Oct. 7, 1876.
Ed. VAN BuREN PRESS
Perhapsa a line or two from the capitol
in reference to the contest for congress
in this district may not prove uninterest-
ing.
Notwithstanding the Herald's support
of Cravens, he will not get one hundred
votes in this county. With full vote,
Stuart will go out of this county with
$500 majority over Cravcns. 1t is re-
ported here and believed by many that
Cravens bought the Herald's support.
Some place the sum paid at one thousand
dollars, others at greater and some at a
less amount. Soon after the congress
ional convention the proprietor of the
Herald went to Clarksville and had pri-
vate conference with Cravens. After
that conference the Herald came out for
him. II is fact known here among the
we'll informed that the Herald establish
ment is owned by Jno. G.. Price, Powell
Clayton, Jno. Mcclure aud other leading
republicans, and it dare not go contrary
to their wishes. They can close it up
anytime. The fact is further known that
the proprietor of the Herald is an avow-
ed republican, while all well informed
people know the editor of that sheet to
be as unreliable as windmill.
With these predatory remarks | will
now relate conversation which occurr-
ed between prominent real estate deal
er in this city and Volney Voltaire Smith
a few days ago. 1t is generally known
that Smith is U. s. Consul at ST. Thomas.
He recently paid Arkansas visit, re-
manning about one month. He was here
during the recent congressional conven-
ton, and attended its meetings. Last
week Smith left for the east on his way
to st. Thomas. On the cars between
this city and ST Louis the conversation
occurred which | now relate. lie said
he had quit Arkansas for good and new
or expected to return here to live. The
conversation driited ON the congressional
matter in this district He was asked
whom the republicans intended to nomi-
nate He said no one. The gentleman
then said he supposed they intended to
support Rice. "No," he said, they will
support Cravens. He will answer their
purpose better than Rice. Their object
is to make break in the democratic par
ty. 1t is understood with Cravcns and
his friends, and two years from now Cra-
vens is to be their candidate for governor.
DuVal and Wilcox, and others like them
being satisfied they can expect nothing
at the hands of the democrats, fully under
stand the situation, as Cravens does him
self"
just prior to Smiths departure from
here, Clayton and Dorsey appeared on
the scene, and Smith said what he did, as
coming from them and other republican
leaders here.
In the call for republican convention,
on the 10th, you will observe it does not
state that the convention is to be held
for the purpose of nominating a candi-
date, but for the purpose of considering
the matter.
The impression prevails here, that
Mcclure tavors a nomination, because he
desires to be the candidate, himself. 1t
remains to be seen whether or not he
will be able to overcome Dorsey and
Clayton, in this matter.
Now, then, l have given you exactly
what Smith said, and the gentleman to
whom he talked will make affidavit to
the conversation, if any one desires it.
The fact is, the leaders in this revolt
desire to disrupt the democratic party,
and, as the editor of the Herald intimat-
ted in his salutatory start out in new
line. That's all there is of it. SO far as
the democrats in this part of the State,
and south of here, are concerned, they
will put their seal of condemnation on
this effort by voting for Judge Stuart
Will the democrats of Crawford, Sebas-
tian and other western counties, follow
the leadership Of DuVal, Wilcox, and w.
d. Jacoway? | have better opinion
of them than that. Atl south of here,
the people are unit for Stuart. | have
no doubt of his election, no matter whom
the republicans support. Q.
nW- If we do not misunderstood the
Van Buren, Press il asserts that four