New-York tribune., 1871-05-02

IHlZlNG WITH The kIAN-A MILITARY On
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT DESIRED BY
THEM-THE COMING TAx-PAYERs' CoSvES-
TION-A PLAN or CANCELLATION.
tPRoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBIA, s. c., April 29.-Letters received
here give further particulars Of the murder of the Mel
ton family, In Chesterfield County, by the KuKlux. 1t
appears that the mnrderers six In number qere asked
ana dsgused, and mounted upon mules. They all fred
as soon ss the family TO the door, Instantly killing
hir' Melton mortally wounding Mrs. Melton, who died
next day' and voundng Miss Melton IN the thigh
verey thah amputation has since been necessary and
her ihe s now despaired Of. Mr.. Melton a respect
sole Vhlte man, who recently accepted the Office OF
Deputy TaxColecor. There Ia 10 question that he vas
killed for this reason only. No clue was evolved from
the coroners inquest that could lead 20 the discovery o
the criminals. The negroes and the few white
Republicans Of tho county are In a state
OF great alarm, and, in response TO their ap-
peals for protection, Gov. Scott has induced
tho Department. Commander 10 order a Getaoh.
ept of troops there Another detachment has gone
day to Clarendon County the scene Of the murder Of
Peter Memmen, Chairman Oft Board OF County Com
missoners who on Wednesday OF last week. wac found
dead In the road two miles from the county seat with
buckshot In his body Lemmen was negro OF great
popularity and influence among his race. hls murder
ereateS much excitement, and the blacks In the neigh
borhood fearing that this the beginning Of WI
upon them by the Ku-Klux, assembled togetDf OF
Saturday for selproecon, 10 the number OF ABOUT 10
and biyouacked at church near Manhing the county
town. The Whites in the town Immediately got thef
arms appointed ex-rebel colonel eommander1hen'i
and sent couriers out TO the people Of the neigh
boring country so that by Sunday they had collected
force OF three OF four hundred Everything prom
ised @ repetition Of the negro massacres ID 'Hes''r
County Both parties remained undcr arms untll NOR
day morning, when tho negroes dispersed Ine Deho'
cratic papers profess believe that LeHSnen was kl
by negro from motives OF personal revenge bat thefa
anftN Nfa and all a
prove that the deed was committed by the Kuklux ~
pursuance Of their syowed purpose OF Kidding the puoo
Offices Of negroes and scaawags
On Tuesday night gro taken from his house ia
Darlington County and hanged 1t said that he was
dangerous and guilty of many crimes, but no
safe to credit such assertions, for they are always mada
to Justify the doings OF the KuKlux II negro pos
sesses some ability and becomes q leader amoug MS
people the whites call him "a dangerous niger ana
attribute to him all the thefts committed IN the neiSDo
hood so that when he Ia bruaIly whipped some nghc
is found morning hanging by the road'de theis
ia always an excuse ready for the villains who eommh
| the crme and no honest attempt is made to bring
| them to Justice. few days intercourse with the
people any this part Of the state viii convince any
one that public sentiment among the respectable ana IN
fuential class sustains the KukuS. Often ina man
who does not hesitate TO ayow bis sentiments Al dnhef
| yesterday met gentlemen who said he was large
property-holder Columbia and had been major In
the Confederate service Speaking OF the corruption OF
tho State officers and Legislature lie said; eve cant
stand this oppression and robbery any longer hy God
Sir We were poor enough when the war ended, wbou'
having this swarm Of Internal carpetbageTs come down
to devour what little We had left" lie went ON to
enumerate the various rascaes by which ho charged
that the State officers have enriched themselves at the
expense of the taxpayers and finally, leaning toward
me- said In low Tone "Now, I'll tell you what were
going TO do II this don't stop soon wen make IT hot ior
the villains. There will be hundred ourages for every
one you hear OF now, until the United States will be
obliged to put under military government That Is
what We want. The army officers are honest mon
and won't steal from They Will sympathIe
with the white people," I told him that people at
the Moth generally believe that the disturbance III he
South arise from hatred OF the National Government
"That's mistake he replied I'VE don't want any
trouble with the General Government Wo have had
enough Of war, and want peace; but We can't st sil
and see gang OF thieves sustained by horde oi lO-
rant niggers take our property from u.s." lnd MS 10
be the general sentiment among the white population.
They declare that they have desire 10 Ics' The ia
eral authority aud that their troubles all pr'u~ rm
bad State and local Government An intelligent man,
who said he helped to ilc the first gu on Port sumter,
and served through tie unt Johnson sUrl, Ior.
coming out Of the wreck Of the Conledor'y With no
other property than gray mule, talked Win he 'A"
other day with moderation than is usliy shown.
He said tho white people OF south CaE'Hna "oh'd
be glad If Congress would remand the State to terri
North 10 govern it Or II they could l9yo military
government no one would object, for no,ng could be
so bad as government Of ignorance, mdgancc. anf
fraud II the power would eonscLt - come com.
promise that woud give the property and intelligence oi
the State a representation in the GoYeinmcn,, De- be-
leyed there would be peace but II not, De "as sure
there would be bloody times at the next election
Everybody appears TO look TO the approaching Tax
PAYERS Convention to devise plan OF c0nclaiion
that Will bring harmony 20 the State j. IS believed that
this can be accomplished by agreement between tie
leaders both parties upon the iollo,lng cour.o: l.
That the Ku-Klux outrages shall cease There Is 10
doubt that the leading Democrats have power 10 step
them if they wish to- That tie Governor shall as far
csi in lis power ncompoceu snd dlebonetocl
officers and appoint in their places respectable m,n of
moderate views. This be has already commenced doing
g. That nothing shall be done toward selling the sieriAg
loan bonds unt,l there are further guarantee tha lLe
proceeds will be applied solely toward tue 'S'ihg''A
men of the present debt OF the state. That an eoit
shall be made by the Governor and hers TO D'oce '"o
Legislature TO pass law providing for minority nWe-
sentation by system of cumulative Noung' ihe con
ventlon meets on Tuesday, May9 and WIZ probably po m
in session for three days. Delegates nave ''' VIZ ~ "
all the counties Of the state.
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CRIMES AND CAsUALTIEs-BY TELE9KAlH'
There were five suicides in san Francisco
lnrtnv fheu tUOla