New-York tribune., 1872-10-09
THE EXCITEMENT IN WASHINGTON
FIFTEEN HUNDRED MERCHANTS DE
PRIVED or SUFFRAGE.
WHOLESALE INDICTMENTS AND ARRESTS TO KEEP
THE LIBERAL VOTERS OF TEXAS AWAY FROM
THE POLLS

WHOLESALE INDICTMENTS AND ARRESTS I'D kELP
THE LIBERAL VOTERS OF TEXAS AWAY FROM
THE POLLS.
10 me EditOr Of The Trtturt
SIR: Yesterday the United States Marshal
arrested me, by virtue OF an indictment preferred
against me in the United states Circuit Court for Texas
FOR "Unawfully carrying on the business OF retail
dealer without having paid the special tax required
am now "a years old; indicted before, and
am not content with merely meeting this charge IN
court but feel 1t due 10 myself and to the pubic 10 eX-
pose the enOrmitY OF this proceeding More than loOo
merchants in this Congress district are similarly ln-
diced and must be dragged the court the Ist OF
November prox and remain absent from their counties
and legislative districts until after the eecion-thus
being deprived of the privilege OF voting for State
officers At least OF these merchants
are Greeley Democrats, and in the coming contest
can only have the patriotic pleasure OF Young
for him. and in instances for members Of Congress
Now, when it IA remembered that the onenses are
charged in the indictment TO have been committed In
May 1sO-more than two years ago. and before inc 'e
Waterloo defeat Of the Grant Republicans In the Con-
oress race I'm this clearly evident that all these
arrests are made at this time and the presence OF these
voters required distant Court in November for the
sole purpose Of weakening the Democracy In the next
state election, and il possblewhich God fOrbd-secur-
ing the election OF Grant Republicans to curse US still
longer with their nefarous partisan legislation. Why
were we not indicted and arrested long ago Because
the Grant Republicans strongest and no neces-
sty for depicting the Democracy then existed but now
that the people have risen In political revolt against the
tyrauts the ballot OF the patriots must be weakened
The tyranny OF these indictments IS further shown
when remembered that at the tine we are reported
10 have failed pay the tax the United states Assessor
for this district carpetbagger, who II Is currently
stated, had been reported TO the 1ioyernment as
defaulter-was utterly Orhy, and committed
suicide this town last year HIS fainye to MAKE axe
proper assessments surely no fdult OF ours Ine
may or may have been made but there
has been no United States Tax Collector in this
district since April. 1870. Tie Whole country
swarmed with speculatug carpet.baggers, swlndhng
the negroes aud ignorant whites by pretending 10 be
Government officials but thousands OF intelligent ana
honest men IN this district will testify that there was no
authorized Collector OF United states Taxes IN TINS as
trict within the time mentioned. How could we pay te
tax when there was no TO demand OF receive IL
And II we could not pay It, should be indicted for the
misfeasance OF the Government oficalsi Yet we are
Indicted Will soon be arraigned and may, by modern
Jefrles be convicted. But whether we are or not let
the people OF the United states take warning rom
these arbitrary and oppressive proceedings OF the near
approach OF the loss OF all their cred rights and priv
eges We appeal the OF justice OF the people OF
The United states to know whether Government at
tempting such Interference shall not be sppdnted by
one that will accord constitutional rights. = W. b.
San AntOHiO Terds, Sept. TO- 1872