New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-26
BTLJDOZING N ARK 4SS5X.

An interesting letter is published in The Memphis
AraldnchS from Mr. j. Cole Davis. Of Helena. Ark,
which throws rather a lurld light upon the question
whether there has been any intimidation or BULLDOG
ing in those regions. Mr.. Davis an old COnfed-
crate soldier. and has never been q Re-
publican Radical. He was an indie
pendent candidate for Mayor of Helena, and tells
plain and apparently uuvarnished tale of the man.
ner in which he was treated for his presumption in
becoming n candidate.
The Democratic leaders of Phillips County. in
which Helena is situated began TO prepare
for the State and County elections early
as July last Their way OF doing it
was to organize. arm and equip seven companies of
cavalry and one Of artillery the former armed with
dOublo-barrelled shot guns and pistols, and the
artillery with United States Napoleon guns,
borrowed in Memphis. During the month OF
August this Democratic army overran the
county, spreading terror and threatening with
vengeance any one who should venture to set
up any ticket in opposition to the regular Demo
cratic nominees OF even to express dIsapprobation
of these martial proceedings. These threats were
uttered not against any particular race or color but
against black and white, Democrats and
Republicans The consequence was that on
election day there nothing TO vote for
but the Democratic ticket, and it was. of
cratic shotgun army being posted at many. if not
all Of the polls in the county. Governor Miller was
called upon to suppress these unlawful military
CARNATIONS. His pro lamatIOn merely turned the
military companies into armed political clubs. They
went on the same as before. and Governor Miller
knew it, for he was present in an adjoining
county while tho companies which he had ordered
to disband were still keeping the field with arms
in their hands and COlOrs flying.
When the election for municipal officers in Helena
was at hand, Mr.. Davis announced himself All
independent candidate for Mayor as he had right
to do. The next morning after he had done
So he found LAID at his door n coffin
with an ominous threat fastened to the lid signed
1.-THE Helena Hangers" which was the style of one
the companies of the Phillips County Legion. Mr..
Davis resisted this and all other devices to drive
HIM from the field, and at the City Hall no read
paper i'll which he expressed his lnten-
ton of persevering. to the citizens He was
Immediately made prsoner-the Demo
Gratis present drawing their pistols--and so held
for time. On election day, immediately after the
polls were opened, he was again seized by band
of about twenty Democrats, heavily armed, among
them the chairman of the Democratic Executive
Committee Of the county, hustled away.
and only released upon giving his bond
to go to his own house aud to re-
main there until the polls had been closed. He
did so. All who came up to vote for him were set
upon their ballots snatched from them, while they
were driven away with threats of death. The con-
sequence was that out of possible vote of $50,
only 24S votes were cast. Such had been the effect
of Democratic electoneerng in military style. Mr..
Davis signs his name to these statements, and we
presume ready to support them 10y his OATH should
he be called upon. 1t is hardly probable that these
operations were confined to Phillips County. A lit
tie investigation may show other counties and can.
didates similarly abused.