The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-01-12
Serious Charges against Governor
ANc0Fm.

Lney IHfOlNc' AACy arc Ons~A So Va g.
malfeasance in Office by the Governor of
the State. The allegations are specific,
and are fortified by references which give
hem the appearance Of authenticity. In
he case referred to by the Brandon Re-
publican, we are sure they can be made
more specific if explanation be required,
DR. investigation ordered. 1t directly In
wolves the Governor in the ofense of vio-
Iating the. Constitution of the State.
Second section of art. Bird declares that
mo person being one of the departments,
I legislative, Judicial and Executive, shall
exercise any power properly belonging to
either of the others, except in the In
stances expressly directed or permitted.
In this case the Executive has assumed to
interfere with and to control the action of
the judiciary. 1t was barefaced, high
handed usurpatiOn, not only without
shadow of authority, but in palpable VIC
lation of the law which is laid down as
his rule of action, and which he is sworn
to support For the usurpation he could
not plead a want of confidence In the Jul
dicial officers who were to determine the
case on its merits. They are persons of
his own selection, and, We viii add, of
high standing, and of capability acknow-
lodged in the community in which they
reside. The military satraps who lorded
it over the people of the State for two
wears could not have dared to do more.
If civil authority were suspended to give
place to the unbridled authority of an
autocrat having his own will for his rule
of action, he could do no more If the facts
are as stated, (and we have reason to
believe they can be verified if contra
dicted,) the case fully justifies impeach-
ment unless it be true that while other
citizens are amenable to the law the in
cumbent of the Executive Office can do
no wrong. In this connection, we will
add further, that Notwithstanding the
prescript of the Governor, the Magistrate
to whom it was sent, gave a judgment
against the party.
The other statement, copied from the
Holly Springs Reporter, contains revela-
tons of a still graver import. 1t is
charged that the Governor pardoned a
man who was adjudged guilty of murder
bv eleven of the jury before whom he
was tried and who by his own confession
was guilty of the crime That the man
so pardoned vas his client before his cleo
ton, and that the consideration for re-
lieving him of the penalty of the deed
thus confessed, was title to valuable
plantation. In other words, that he used
the prerogative of pardon with which he
is invested for the most solemn and sacred
of purposes by the Constitution, de-
feated the ends of justice and trampled
on the law for personal gain. This is
what the statement in the Reporter
amounts to; and it asks for an explana-
ton, standing ready as we infer, and as
justice certainly requires, to make good
the allegation, or to make reparation if
the facts are not as stated:
EXECUTIVE INTERFERENCE WITH
THE JUDICIARY.
From the Brandon Republican.
Recently one of our best and most honor
able citizens, sued out an attachment against
a negro, who had told him lies about a debt
he owed, and the Deputy Sheriff levied on
the negro's corn. The negro went to Jack
son and saw "the eminent man., and re-
lated his side of the case. "The eminent
man" directed his private Secretary to write
to the Justice of the Peace before whom the
attachment was Teturnable, which he did, to
release the corn, and write him the facts
He has also interfered in another civil case
in this county. Now, we ask in all candor
if such conduct is to be longer tolerated !?
Under the old order of things such acts
would have subjected him to impeachment,
when the Constitution was silent as to the
eIormity of such acts. Now, under the
present Constitution, it is expressly provided
that he shall not interfere with any co-ord-
nate branch of the government. See Art. j,
See. 2.
dOning Power.
From the Holly Springs Reporter.
A person has made a statement to us of
desire to know if the matter actually occur
red
Several years ago, Mr.. John Jones, of
Jamestown, Coahoma county, killed a Mr.
Allen, and was indicted for murder by the
Grand Jury OF that county. He emnlOyed
Gen. Alcorn, then practising law at Friar's
Point, to defend him. One trial was had
in which the evidence showed the killing to
have been cold-blooded and unprovoked
The jury stood eleven for guilty of murder,
one against.
A short time ago, when General. now
Governor Alcorn, was at his home in Friar's
Point, the case again came up. 1t is said
Governor \. went there to attend the trial
Jones plead guilty of murder. and executive
clemency was extended to him on the sDot
Gov. Alcorn pardoned his client whom he
could not acquit before jury of his coun-
trymen.
We also learn that it was agreed upon be-
tween Gov. A. and Judge Shackleford. that
Jones should be pardoned before conviction.
as it would look better.
Did this occur? We ask for information.
If it did not. and if Gov. A. did not receive,
as is reported. the Jamestown plantation
valued at $4,000, on condition that he
cleared Jones, the matter should be contra
dicted, as 1t is currently reported and be-
heved.
H. w. FIOurnOy's Description of
the eminent Man.
From the Equal Rights, January Sd.
GOV. ALCoRN.
The above arch deceiver, and ravenous
office hunter. has recently assumed a new
role. He has doffed his coat of mail. and
mounted his war steed, aristocracy. and il
running a tilt at the Union to do what a
million of gallant men could not do. this
Knight will attempt to accom-
plish alone. Gallant man, let an admiring
world in breathleSs amazement hold its
peace and await the mighty shocki See
him with fierce rolling eve heavy mons