Year: 1874

The following letter which we find


III the telegraphic columns of both


Northern and Southern exchanges, is


the full reply of Mr.. Brooks to Presi-


dent Grant. How it happens that the


letter was not sent to us also we do


not know Mr.. Brooks certainly puts


his case very strongly AS he well


suggests it will be very difficult for


the President to point to the clause in


the constitution of the United States


that makes him the arbiter of disputes


IN any of the States. If the Supreme


Court of the State of Arkansas has


decided that Mr.. Brooks is the lawful
Governor Of that State and has juris-
diction in the premises, we can not see
upon what ground the President can
interfere to sustain Mr. Baxter


LITTLE Rock, May II.


IJ L. s. Grant, President


On the 9th of May the Attorney
General submitted to me a proposition
that he said had yoRr approval. On
the 10th l accepted the same out of



in doing so l was humiliating myself
and the Courts of the State. This [
did solely in the interest of peace, sup
posing that Baxter would be required
to assent to yOur proposed plan of set
tlement.


In accordance with the proposition
of the Attorney General, I issued a
proclamation convening the Legisla-
ture on the fourth Monday of the pres
cnt month. To my surprise, Baxter
has declined to submit the questions
of his election to the Legislature. In
conversation with the members thereof
he boldly proclaims that he does not
and will not permit an investigation of
his right to the office, yet you ask me
to recognize a call of the Legislature i
at the instance of one who declares the |
question at issue and for which you in |
siston its being assembled, shall not be |
settled by the tribunal you desire con-
vened. An attempted organization
was made to-day, which failed. al
though persons were sworn IN as mem
bers from districts in which no vacan
cies had been declared. Both Houses
now have a quorum in existence. This
quorum should pass upon the election
returns and the qualifications of the
newly elected members, instead of the
newly elected members Themselves
This action ! cannot and will not will
ingly submit to. sec. l, Art. Of the
Constitution of the United States. de-
clares that full faith and credit shall
be given to the judicial proceedings of
every State; and, if in the face CT the
decision of the Supreme and the Cir
cnit Courts of the State, deciding that
I Il
Governor, you can recognize Baxter as
Governor, it is your duty to respond to
his application for Federal help. If
you cannot it is your duty to assist ne
to suppress the present domestic vio-
lence. To disband my troops at thi,
time, under no other assurance than
is contained in your telegram of to- day
would result not only in the assassina-
ton of the Judge of the Supreme
Court. but of many of my friends, and
the colored men who have
been guilty of no crime save fidelity to
law and order. [ shall hold my troops
together for ti'e purpose Of protecting
the citizens OF the State, who believe
the expression of the people at the bal
lot box should be enforced, and for
the protecting of those who stand by
the Constitution, laws and the adiudi-
cations of the coarts of the county
Federal bayOnets can put Baxters
lie 2islature in the State House, but /
am ignorant of the clause of the Con-
stitntion under which the fresident
has this power. Nothing else wall. /
doubt if you can compel them to deter
mine who is Governor.


It is time the agony Of doubt, and
uncertainty was over. The interests
Il lC l,nI In -ft
tied, and if YOU have the power under
the Constitution and laws ofthe,,U United
States to settle the question Of who is
Governor of Arkansas adverse to the
decision of the courts of the State. set
tie it and settle it at once. / shall no
resist what yoH may order the United
State troops to do, but shall with all
the power at my command repel any
and all attempts by Baxter's forces TO
take possession of the State House. |
am confident that a legal quorum of
the Legislature will not respond to
Baxters CALL and shall not assent nor
be party to conVening the t4eglsla-
tnro under any other agreement than
that submitted by yourself through
the Attorney General on the 9Th inst.


[Signed JOSEPH BROOKS,


Governor of Arkansas.


Brooks still occupies the State
House and the surroundings. Whether
he intends to vacate or not under the
Presidents instructions, is not known.
Both Houses meet this morning at the
Otter building. There were II Sena-
tors and Al Representatives present
lacking three of a quorum in the Sen
ate and two in the House. 1t is gen
orally conceded that there will be a
quorum in both Houses tomorrow.
The Baxter men are jub:lant at the
idea of Brooks having to vacate the
sat u ,I-e


COI.ORED CANDIDATES FOR CON