 |
Business | Industries | Finance | Tax |
| Index: > A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
|
|||||
| First Prev [ 1 2 ] Next Last |
The conflict was a complex political affair with shifting allegiances that eventually led to the intervention of President Ulysses S. Grant and resulted in the breakup of the Republican Party in Arkansas for almost 100 years.
After the American Civil War 'Radical Republicans' wrote a new constitution and Powell Clayton was elected Governor. The new constitution gave great power to the executive. In addition the General Assembly, under his control, ceded even more administrative power to Clayton. Clayton tried to build a strong political machine and state and local appointed officials grew in number. Clayton encouraged immigration from the north and appointed many of the newcomers to office. Taxes were raised to pay for increased salaries and a series of bonds, known as the Holford Bonds were sold to raise money. Promissary notes known as scrip was issued in large numbers. County, city, and school districts also went into debt and by the end of Clayton's term the state debt had increased by $10 million and local debt probably exceeded that amount. The state had acquired about $100,000 worth of improvements for this outlay. Many counties had little or nothing to show for the debt they had shouldered.
This state of affairs caused a great deal of resentment from native-born Republicans (known as scalawags). Many were upset that state offices had gone to immigrants from the north (known as carpetbaggers) as well as the questionable financial maneuvers of the Clayton government. Tension between the two factions rose until in 1869 two native Republicans, Lt. Governor James M. Johnson and Joseph Brooks, formed the "Liberal Republican Party" and broke with Clayton. Johnson and Brooks appealed to Democrats and pre-war Whigs to join them and offered the vote to all ex-Confederates. In response, Clayton himself stated he was in favor of extending the vote to all qualified white citizens. Johnson unsuccessfully attempted to seize the governorship while Clayton was out of state on business.
Matters came to something of a head when the rumor leaked out that Clayton planned to have his wing of the party make him a United States Senator. In 1870 Clayton lost control of the General Assembly and in 1871 the General Assembly elected Clayton to the United States Senate in order to get him out of the state. Clayton deferred accepting until some way could be arranged to prevent Johnson from replacing him. Clayton attempted to remove Johnson as Lieutenant Governor and the new General Assembly impeached him. The popular outcry was so great that a compromise was reached. Clayton went to the Senate, Johnson to Secretary of State, and Ozra Amander HadleyOzra Amander Hadley ( 30 June 1826 18 July 1873) was a Republican Governor of the State of Arkansas. Ozra Hadley was born in Cherry Creek, New York and was educated in the public schools of New York. He attended Fredonia Academy (now SUNY-Fredonia). Hadle became governor. The Clayton faction retained control but their situation was precarious.
In the election of 1872Events January 2 Brigham Young, is arrested for bigamy (25 wives). February 20 In New York City the Metropolitan Museum of Art opens. March 1 Yellowstone National Park is established as the world's first national park March 5 George Westinghouse patents t Joseph Brooks under the "Reform Republicans" ticket, challenged Elisha BaxterElisha Baxter ( 1 September 1827 31 May 1899) was a Republican Governor of the State of Arkansas. Elisha Baxter was born in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Baxter received an appointment to the United States Military Academy but his father would not al of the Clayton faction for the office of Governor. Baxter was chosen by the Claytonists because he was a native Unionist and they hoped to divide the Democratic and scalawag vote by nominating one of their own. The Clayton faction was nicknamed "The Minstrels" and the Brooks faction was named "The Brindletails".
Clayton's political forces controlled the election machinery and influenced the outcome of the election during the ballot counting. Brooks set up their own polling places where they could and also attempted to stuff the ballot box. According to the official count, Baxter defeated Brooks by only 3,000 votes.
When the election results were announced Brooks supporters reacted with accusations of cheating and appealed to Democrats to support Brooks. Sensing internecine warfare brewing, Clayton and Baxter quickly reiterated their support for giving ex-Confederates the vote and offered other lucrative concessions. The Democrats took "the bird in the hand" and withdrew support for Brooks. Elisha Baxter became the Governor of Arkansas beholden to the Democrats and their supporters.
| Politics | Business | Finance |
 |
 |
 |
|