The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-01
The Removal of ThrOolmOrtOn,

rreat; they are masters Of the situation, and
Ior whatever they do or leave undone will be
held to the strictest accountability. Very
little has yet been done in any of the FIVE
districts of which the people disapprove, and
they will most certainly and heartily approve
of the removal of Governor Throokmorton, of
Taxas. of which we are advised by telegraph.
Tbis was an act which General Sheridan
Seriously meditated, and he had, we believe,
decided upon it when Stanbery's opinion was
Dublisbed and Grant requested that all re-
1ovals of civil officers should be for the time
suspended. Sheridan was convinced that the
renoval of Governor Throckmorton was neces-
sarv 10 maintain good order in Texas. The
North has long held the opinion tersely ex-
7oressed in the order of removal, that Throck-
morton was Gan impediment to the reconstruc-
fion of that State under the law"
Governor Throckmorton, Rebel Governor,
elected in opposition to the feeble Union party
of that State, began his administration by
pledging himself to support the laws of the
United States, and to aid the policy of recon-
struotion. We do him but justice in saying
that we recall no act of his that directly
opposed the laws. Unlike Governor Jenkins,
OF Georgia, he did not counsel the people to
prevent reconstruction by refusing to register,
and seems to have carefully avoided all open
opposition. But he has been guilty of actual
opposition as dangerous. He denounced the
Reconstruction bill as unjust and tyrannical;
approved the odious labor system made by
the Legislature, and its other acts intended to
keep the freedmen in virtual slavery.
He has defeated the intent of the Reconstruc-
ton laws by systematically neglecting to
execute Them he has refused to assert his
authority, and has allowed his disloyal subor-
dinates TO act without rein or check; he has
abandoned the State to the rule of outlaws,
has encouraged murder by neglecting to
punish murderers, and has never taken one
honest, manly step to make the laws of the
United States respected and obeyed. He is a
secret and bitter foe of reconstruction, or
weak and timid man who has become the tool
of conspirators and desperadoes. In either
case he deserved removal; there is no plea
that can be received in its favor we point to
the condition of Texas in answer to all eX-
ouses, and say that the Governor who
makes no effort to suppress a reign of terror,
permits it and connives at it, and should be
summarily turned out of the office he is unfit
to fill.
The Lindley murder is one of the notorious
instances of Governor Throckmorton's neglect.
The Rev. Mr.. Lindley was Union man whose
son had been murdered by Rebels, who after
wards were arrested while attempting to
escape two of them we're shot by Major Car
penI6r, anu, IL Is Sttlu, ny rhr' Lluuley' Lluu-
ley was placed in Jail, whence he wrote to
General Heintzelman, declaring that his life
was in danger because of his Union prin-
oiples. Application was made by General
Heintzelman to Governor Throckmorton who
replied that Lindley was in no danger from
mob violence, and that he would write to
the authorities of Bell county, and impress
the necessity of strict compliance with the
law. Two weeks had not passed before
NJ sy,lI oynI
were murdered in Jail by a mob of thirty
men. So far did Governor ThrOckmorton' S
protection extend Nor did he ever take any
steps to punish the assassins, or to remove the
civil authorities of Bell county for their guilt.
This is but one instance out of hundreds.
When, in May last, he sought to convince the
freedmen that their best friends were in the
Conservative party, the Colored Union Com
mittee truthfully replied: "You have shown
no zeal in bringing to justice the many parties
in this State who have committed outrages
upon Union men and freedmen. We have
made diligent search and inquiry, and we
have found no case where the murderer has
been convicted by civil tribunal. You
whole action, from the day you deserted the
Union cause and took up arms against thu
United States Government to the present tim,
has been one sstruggle against the loyal sen
timent in this State" Thus it was, and thus
it is. But aHshort time since we printed tn
official report of Colonel Sinclair Superin
tendent of the Registration in Northeastern
Texas, who says that the freedmen are rule
by the shotgun and the revolver; that the
are ignorant of their rights, and afraid to max
complaints, and that they will not be allowe
to register vote unless protected by tn
power of the army. They are shot down dali
by gangs of cutthroats, who when brough
before the civil courts, are liberated by tn
judges, and ride off not only in safety, but i
triumph.
General Griffin, in command of the State
with an insufficient military force, could no
suppress this insurrection. He had the civ
authorities against him; he had Governo
Throckmorton to thwart him. There wer
but two ways of restoring order; the first wa
to send standing army into Texas; tn
second to remove Governor Throckmortou
All loyal men prefer the latter. The tru
policy is not to crush disloyal civil govern
ment in Texas, but to establish one that sha
be loyal. General Sheridan has courageousI
done his duty, and although he NAV Rimsa
be removed for having thrust bad man froy
power, he has left to the President the respoT
sibility OF turning him out and RESTORING
Rebel to the gubernatorial chair.
Governor Z. NJ Pease is a native of Come,
ticut, who has been resident of Texas sine
1888. He is a lawyer of eminenoe, and was
consistent Union man throughout the wa
He has served in both branches of the Tex,
Legislature, and was twice elected Governo
serving from 1858 to 1857. He was Republ
can candidate for Governor last year, again
Throckmorton, and received 1901 votes
48, 63l for his opponent.
The President and RecOnstruction-II