The record-union., 1895-04-08
sPAr IN THE GOVERNORS FACE.
Trouble Between Arkansas Executive
and q Legislation.

LITTLE Rock (Ark.), April The
spectacle of an honorable member of the
Arkansas Legislature, livid with rage,
splitting in the face of the Governor of
this commonwealth, quickly returned by
violent emissary OF executive saliva
upon the features of the lawmaker and
flourish of firearms in the hands of the
Governor, was witnessed in the lobby of
Gleason's Hotel here this afternoon, and
was the result of sensational charges of
bribery in connection with the commits
sion bill sprung in the House of Repre-
sentativss yesterday by Representative
Yancy of Phillips County. Mr.. Jones of
Marion County, one of the principals of
This affair, rose to point of personal
privilege, and denounced Governor
Clark as being at the bottom of the
charges. He said that Governor Clark
was demagogue, and was going around
like the assassin in the night stabbing
men in the back who were his peers.
This afternoon Governor Clark went
into the lobby of Gleason's Hotel and re-
quested an interview with Jones. Jones
replied that he would accompany the Gov
ernor nowhere, and if the Governor had
anything to say to him he must make it
known then and there. Hot words fol-
lowed. and in fit of anger Jones spat in
the Governors face. Governor Clark,
trem bling with anger, returned the in
suit, and quick as flash had drawn his
revolver, and the difficulty might have
resulted in bloOdshed, but for the quick
action of the bystanders. who disarmed
Governor Clark.
The Governor was later arrested by
constable, and released on his own recog-
nizance. He will, he says, plead guilty
to the charge of assault Further trouble
may ensu6.
In a statement of the occurrence given
out tonight, Represen tative Jones said:
II had Just left the dining-room after
dinner at Gleason's hotel, and taken
seat IN the office on the west side, facing
the east wall, quietly smoking cigar and
not expecting any trouble. Shortly |
heard the front door open very abruptly,
and looking around, l saw Governor
Clark enter the Office. | saw from his
countenance that he meant trouble. l
vacated my chair about the time he
reached me. The Governor, in very
abrupt manner said: Come back here
with me;' and at the same time motiOned
towards the rear. | was totally unarmed,
and felt that he intended to kill me. l
said: No, 1 will not do it; if you have
anything to say to me you can say it
here.'
''He then caught me by the right arm
with his left hand, and repeated the COM
same time pulling me step or two. l
then stopped and again declined his in
vltatioD in language exactly as repeated
above. he then deliberately spat in my
face. l returned the insult by splitting in
his face. When l did this he let loose of
my arm and made for his pistol. l saw
that my only chance was to knock him
down, and l struck at him with all my
might with my LETT hand. He sprang
toward the door, and my blow failed TO
reach him. lie was reaching FOR his pis-
toll l sprang and grapplsd with him,
and caught him around the waist, press
ing both arms to his side, but leaving his
arms free to act from the elbow down.
By this time he had his pistol drawn.
just then Representative Roberts sprang
in and grabbed the weapon. He strug-
gled to free the gun while the Governor
said, Turn that pistol loose Roberts
declined, when the Governor said, Damn
you, Roberts, turn that pistol loosen
About this time some one grabbed me
around the waist. l requested that the
pistol be taken from Clark and then re-
lease him. Roberts and Pope declined.
l then said: Give me a pistol and turn
him loose with his weapon When the
Governor saw he was overpowered he
asked Pope to turn him loose and said:
1 will not kill him; l promise you posi-
lively that | will not kill him.
Senator Ward then requested me to
release my hold on the Governor and
asked me to go TO my room, saying that
he would take care of Governor Clark.
Finally l did go 10 my room, remaining
there ten seconds, and returned 10 the
office, but the Governor was gone"
Governor Clark says he does not care
to discuss the trouble between himself
and Senator Jones through the press,
further than to say that he did not go to
the hotel with a view of making trouble,
but only to tell Mr.. Jones that be must
desist from Juggling his name into con-
troversles existing between members of
the House. The trouble which followed
was not of his making.