New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-09
"DY TIE ERR"

"BY TIE EAR"
Differences Of opinion have broken out among
statesmen ut the capital Of Arkansas. These
differences have led to Observation-Disclosures, ana
out of the MISUNDERSTANDING have grown what
nav be called without exuggcration strained
relations" between Governor Clarke and Repre-
sentative Jones' each of whom was reported NJ
last accounts 10 be looking for the other with a
,1ln Taxpavers are getting worried Not on ac-
count of their impending bereavement, but n'-
cause after the event the Legislature Is liable 10
waste day on culoGicS. The original difference
Of opinion grew out Of question which had h'Fn
raised by some impcr'incnt person aS To whether
or not Jones had been paid 500 for his N"te
Jones somehow felt hurt in his mind about it
whether on account Of the fact or the low price
does not clearly appear-and mad" remarks ,o
that effect. In the course of these remarks
which were, no doubt. crcditable - Jones ana
worthy the occasion-hc referred in casual
manner 10 Governor Clarke rs n Midnight as
sassn" After season Of haG crops In a warm
climate and among IL whole soulcl but mGhlN
sensitive people. remarks Of tina, sort are Hih!'
To create feeling. 1t IS suspected That This re-
mark had something of that effect upon Toy
ernor Clarke's inmGSt soul though The dignity ~
his official position compelled him 70 be outward
" calm Still he could not help feeling that
Jones was laborng under miSapprchcnsion II
he actually believed him Ohe Governor ~ be
any sort Of an "aSsassn." particularly mid
night one lie accordingly sought Jones with
considerable prompincss with View to So him
right
Not long the search. He found Jones. ~ one
might say. "as easy as rolling Off log" Found
him at Glcason's Hotel. Says the Ingenious re-
porter who describes the meeting: The GOV
"crnor came into the hotel this evening and. see
ling Jones. took him by the car and drew him
aside, intending to ask him TO leave his name
"out Of the discussion in subsequent legislative
proceedings" This is simple. yet graphic To
persons unfamiliar with tho manners ~ Arkan
sss statesmen the Governors preliminary pro-
cceling, In taking Jones by the ear 10 draw him
aside merely TO tell him that he was not mid
night assassin, may seem abrupt. II may be
we ONLY venture this as possible explanation
that Joness ear appeared 10 the Governor at mat
moment TO be the largest thing In the landscape
and the easiest thing to take hold or or II may
ho-apd we rather incline 10 this theory that il
is a custom In Arkansas. 80 sanctioned by usage
and precedent that It is recognized as common
W.
draw aside the chairman OF the Committee Of
WAYS and Means which IS what Jones to
take him by the ear However that may be-,
Jones seems 10 have been so taken 10y surprise
that he did not recognize the Governors action
as the first advance toward a better understand
Ing. For. the report continues, Jones made
..rcmarl. which the Governor resented by splitting
Gin his Goncs's) face" Proceedings Of this sort
Il, nftl 10
Of the Old World as the natural and orderly pro
llminaries of peace. But customs differ Jones
w,s evidently disturbed by the demons lratiOn.
Being Of an impulsive temperament, he did not
wait 10 inquire what was the Governors Interior
purpose in injecting saliva into n purely political
discussions; forgetting that the privilege OF eX-
pectoration at close quarters was constitutional
prerogative Of the Executive not enjoyed by the
Committee OF Ways and Means. or perhaps in
tending only to rcciprocatc In Kind the Coy
errors courtesy, Jones spat back.
So much feeling had been cngen1ered by this
fine that the statesmen embraced and the Gov
crnor pulled gun" Citizens Of Arkansas
standing near, taking only a languid Interest in
the debate so long as it was confined to an eX-
change Of saliva, now began 20 fear that the gun
might 90 off and political complications cnS'ie
affecting Democratic ascendaDcy in the state
They accordingly called the previous question
and the debate was closed by Il division, though
the disputants exhibited extreme anxiety 10 get
at the AYES and Noes. The Governor Subsequent
" expressed his regret that the debate had been
carried on with so much animation, because,
| he said Il know what Is duo to the Office which
Il hold. and while ! brook no insult recognize
! 1.-THE fact that ! owe as much TO the state 10 up
! hold It's dignity as do Ia myself Even Jones
| could hardly ask more than that. The trouble
| I'm the hotel seems all 10 have grown out Of the
| circumstance that Jones misunderstood the GOV
! bv the ear and drew him aside" Jones is evil
| IDENTITY too sensitive 10 be chairman Of the Com
! mittce OF WAYS and Means. Either that or his
| ear is too abundant 1t offers too large a surface
| 10 persons who wish 10 draw him aside" At last
| accounts 10 was uncertain whether the end Of the
| affair would be war Of determination with
! guns or a war Of expectoraton with saliva. The
Guiding the debate, whether by pcrforaton or
J expccloration, il that IL would leave the main
/ question unsettled, whether Jones did get the
| 500 or the Governor Is really midnight assas-
sin Should either Jones or the Governor be
done TO death with perforatons or drowned in
eXpectoration, il would settle nothing with pre-
cision. Why not. instead Of resortng to shooting
or splitting. settle it by a compromise? Jones
says he did not get the 500. Very well; let him