The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-09-04

~, I1S vi A6O 90 = a.,
self explanatory
To HIS Ercellencu, Wm r Miller,
Governor Of arkansas:
"Sir-I have come from Phillips
county 20 present to you the condition
of affairs now existing in that county
pending the State and county election
Of September I'd.
Boasts were made early 10 the
canvass, by leading Democrats, that
they would carry the election. The
manner in which they intended to do
so was kept a secret until a short
time ago. 1t was left 20 w. K.
Burke to take the initiatory step
necessary 10 carry out the pro-
g-amwe.
"lIe went 10 Cypress township and
delivered a speech, which was pub
lished in the World, and thus dis
tribu ed throughout the county. In
his speech he accused Republican
officials of all imaginable crimes, and
boldly advocated the Mississippi
plan OF overcoming majorities
Among the more conservative people
these articles had but little effect, but
among the re-eaters and candidates
for Office they were generally endors-
ed and immediately acted CD. Mill
tary companies were organized in
each township, with the avowed pur-
pose Of carrying the election, peace
ably if they could, forcibly if they
must.
$50 rapid were these moves that
the more conservative Democrats be-
came alarmed and attempted 10 in
terfere for the purpose of preventing
these reckless men from precipitating
q state of affairs which would serious
ly affect the best Interests Of the
county, but the tide was too strong.
They would listen to no compromise.
and nothing but a complete surren-
der Of the Republicans wolld satisfy
them. 4 meeting Of the Democratic
Executive Committee was held. The
feeling was very strong; with the ex-
cep;ion of Maj,r w. L. Moore, all
were in favor of forcing a straight
ticket. Msior Moore introduced a
resolution to appoint a committee to
wait upon the Republican Executive
Committee and ascertain upon what
terms q compromise could be effected.
At FIRST his motion could not find q
second, bat after making a powerful
appeal the motion vas adopted and a
committee appointed, but with no
power but TO receive any proposition
made by the Republican committee
and report the same to the Democrat
ic Convention.
when the Republican committee
they adopted a resolution that
the offices Of County Judge, Assess
or, Treasurer, aud one member of the
Legislature might be selected by the
Democrats. The Republican com
mite also agree to vote the Demo
cratic judicial district ticket. This
offer was laughed at aud treated "a
if no proposition had been made.
New military clubs were organized,
and now it may be truthfully said
that three fourths Of the Democrats
ia Phillips county between the ages
of nineteen and forty.6ve belong to
these military organizations, whose
avowed object is to carry the cleo
tons inside tie law if possible, if not
outside the law.
Threats have been made that if
anything did happen, leading Re-
pnblicans would be the first ones kill
ed.
Two pieces IF artillery were
brought from Memphis and an artil-
lery company organized, AID guards
are kept at their armory day aud
The various companies are drilled
and the city and county wear
the appearance of a military camp.
On August ID Judge CLARK, the
Judge. was waited on by the
Campaign Committee,
who requested him to appoint as the
Judges Of Election the men whose
names would be handed to him by
hem; that in Ease of his refusal they
would not be responsible for the on-
sequences.
The Republicans C .nclu led that
( they could not get protection from
he State Government permitting
zach citizen To vote as he de-ired, no
icket would b, nominated To NOM
a ticket would neees-iiate q
and under existing circum
it would be impossible to
a peaceable anvas aud election
appeal to you in my official cspaei-
y as Sheriff of Phillips county to
ford me the moral aud material sup
'ort OF your office rs Chief Executive,
hat | mag be enabled to enforce the
Tvs, Ct a peaceable vi and
lection, and enable every voter to
Xercise the franchises conta ned in
nr C. institution Of 1871
I'll. b. ROBINSON,
Sheriff Of Phillips county. Ark /,
The MoOnshincrs.
N tSuINCTpy Auoust Dc -Th