The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-07-04
From the Washington Patriot, June a..
Hon. Richard BnSteed Before the
ku-Ek.UX Committee. IS

u
Au.K.UX Committee.
Hon. Richard Busted, United States
Distric5 Judge for Alabama, was exam
med by the ku-K K!ux Committee yester
day He testified that he had been told
couiidentially year and half ago by
citizen OF Huntsville that there was n
Ku-kuX organization in the northern
part of the State. His informant, how
ever, did not tell him its object, nor did
he know from any other source. lie
believed now there was no such organi
zation in that State. Having been ask
ed whether there was any danger to per-
son or property, Judge Busteed replied
that these were as safe in Alabama as in
any other State of the Union. Since
the administration Of Governor Lindsay,
and the retirement of Governor Will.
liam II. Smith, public quiet and tran
guilty were essentially preserved.
As to the character Of persons hold
ing subordinate official positions under
the State constitution, he said it was noA
toriously bad, both as to intelligence
and honesty. He had been in the State
since 1865, having previously been ap-
pointed judge by President Lincoln
There had been no obstruction to the
administration of the affairs of his Of
fee, or the laws Of the land, except in
one instance, when the Republican au-
ditor of the State disobeyed the injunc-
tions of the court, for which he was
fined and imprisoned. The greatest re-
spect was paid to the judicial authority
by lawyers, suitors, jurors, and all 9th
er parties. With regard to the feeling
Of the people toward the General Gov
ernment, he thought it was to obey the
laws, no matter how obnoxious they
were, although there was deep seated
conviction that they were not equal and
impartial. ir. t... =.
Having been questioned as to the tes-
timony Of Rev. Mr.. Lakin, parts of
which were read to him, he said it was
entirely untrue.
Lakn had represented that thirty three
indictments had been found in Busteed's
court for violation of the civil-rights
bill, and had been tried. But, the truth
was, only one indictment had been
found, and that had not yet been tried
On eGparte testimony it appeared to he
a serious case. Lakin is man who is
apt to make wild statements without ac
curate basis. Busteed had charged his
juries always to obey the laws, however
distasteful, as it was within the power
of Congress to enact them, and that il
was for the best interest of all the CON
munity to respect them. r.fs
In reply to a question, Judge Busted
said he knew a man named Willard
Warner who applied for exemption from
| jury duty in his court in 1867 or 1868
on the ground that he (Warner) was /;
Senator OF the State Of Ohio at that
time.
Judge Busted also testified that The
financial condition of Alabama under
Goyenor Lindsay has improved. The
State bonds are now quoted at one hun
dred and four, instead of from ninety
seven. to ninety-eight, and railroad bond.
have improved from ninety to ninety
five.
There was other testimony showing
that the people of Alabama render, full
obedience to the law, and that there i
in that State ample security TO life ant
property, with continuous improvement
in all public and private relations.
In connection with the above testimo
ny Of Judge Bu.teed, in which be. S,
emphatically denies the existence Q
Ku Klax outragcs, we publish the fol
lowing Associated Press despatch, tele
graphed yesterday from Montgomery
The importance of this publication viii
be best appreciated when it is know
that the editor of the State Journal j
Mr.. Arthur Bingham, who was for fou
years the Radical State Treasurer 9
Alabama f-.
MONTGOMERY, June 23-The Dali
State journal, the organ of the Repul
lican party in Alabama, says: +
"We have lived in this State for nor
than a quarter of century, and hav
never felt insecure in person or proper
ty on account of political opinions. w
are sincere in our Republicanism, an
we feel safe because we love our pee
pie, and honestly believe that we az
pursuing course that will rebound t
their peace, happiness, and prosperity
Those men who call themselves Reput
licans, and who are continually tryin
to get into office by stirring up, discor
and strife, and poisoning the minds 0
voters in secret dens at midnight, wher
honest men and sincere Republicans ar
plotted against, simply because they ar
honest and sincere, and have, socis
standing in the community, may fet
; unsafe. We endorse no such libels NJ
on the whole people OF our State. Rae
/ ical, vulturous, Ku-Klux office seeker:
of every party, are doing us more harr
as Il people than all the libels ever writ
ten. We believe that every honest ma
is safe in Alabama, no matter what hi
political opinions are" 5a1..
i