Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1870-04-01
TENN SSEE.
The Condition Of dfdiPs in the
State.
Statement Of Hon. Dorsey b. Thomas,
Speaker Of The Senate, Before The Re-
construction Ctmmi tee.

To make myself understood It will
be necessary TO review n little of our
past history as a State. Under Gov.
Brownlow's administration the right
of suffrage was denied to u majority of
the white men of the State.
This embraced nearly all the tax
payers and most of the Intelligence of
the State.
Many who had acquired the right TO
suffrage were deprived of this right
without charge or conviction of crime
They We're denied the right to sit Oh
juries, or assist in the arrest of persons
charged with crime, unless by permiss-
ion.
The Governor had entire control of
the right of suffrage, and gave, or
Withheld. or withdrew at pleasure.
He appointed the judges of courts,
or had them elected to order, as he pre-
fcrred.
The blacks were nearly all voters aud
paid no poll tax, while the diff anchis-
ed whites paid nearly all the taxes.
Militia was called out ut his pleasure
and quartered on US TO awe and intimi-
date
Fclons, by hundreds, convicted by
their own courts, were turned out of
the State prisons, and enlisted in this
militia.
Secret political societies were formed
all over the State, and the colored Vo-
ters, almost without exception, induc-
ted therein.
ON election days they were generally
marched in sold column to The polls
and Nosed to order.
Everything was done that could be
To engcnder race antagonisms and
ALLEVIATE those whose interests arc idCn-
| teal.
\ disposition such rs never existed
on this continent before was establish
| ed and maintained.
The ballot, the courts, the purse and
sword all in the hands of and under
the control of one man.
TO protest aginst this, whether Re
publican, Wing, or Democrat, Union
OF Rebel, was political death. None
but suppliants at the throne could live
politically, except by accident or per-
sonal power and influence 50 strong as
to be feared.
Our fund set apart for common
schools was squandcrcd and lost.
Our taxes were increased until they
Were burdensome, and yet the treasury
was bankrupt.
Crime was frequent and often went
unpunished.
When change in administration
was had, by the election or appoint
ment of Gov. Brownlow Ia the United
States Senate, dawn of day was per.
ceivable. Many of The prominent mer
of the dominant party demanded 6
change. They had felt the yoke, anC
did not want its burdens continued.
a contest for Governor was had
Two prominent men of the party were
candidates. The little CLEAN of ligh
they had received had revived all theil
former love of liberty and freedom
Each WED with the other in their ad
vocacy Of a restoration of liberty anC
the establishment of u republican rep
rescntative State government.
The Supreme Court caught the spiri
and released some twenty thOusan'
voters, who had been deprived of tn
, right without trial for or conciction O
crime. All became liberal and fei
that the time had arrived when W
should be set free. The majority O
the people had little or no choice be
tween the contestants; but one he'll
the power while the other did not, am
? interest induced them to support tn
incumbent.
A liberal construction OF the fran
chise law was given and IA large Vot
: was polled. None advocated the con
tinuation of the franchise laws, an
+. they were considered as virtually Il
> pealed, and yet the forms were rigidl
, complied with.
The members elected to the Logli
e ture were, almost without exception
! original Union men.
Their every effort has been to repe,
7 all laws discriminating in favor OF {
. against any classic pass all laws nee
I essary for the suppression OF crime
in short to do al aud everything in il
: power to restore the equal rights an
5 protection TO all without regard TO rae
y color or previons condition-to restol
4 the credit of the State financially
c political y and morally. That We haV
$ abridged the powers OF the GoVernC
/ is true. We advocated and wo knc'
o il TO be necessary TO the preservation {
4 republican liberty in the state. w
: submit our every act TO your carcfl
u consideration.
! TO carry out the wishes of all partl,
q as expressed at the ballot-boX last sun
2, mer, change in the organic law W,
u necessary. For shat purpose CONVEX
ton of the people was asked. W
y herewith submit 10 you their act
: which if ratified, become the organ
l. law OF the State. Ii speaks for Itself
The crimes that have been mention
y ed in such brilliant colors (if commi
d ted at all have been committed und'
lt their own laws, and while every of
n Ger in the State is Of their own al
p pointing. II it is as they say, let |
e make the change. We can't make
worse.