New-York tribune., 1874-12-12
THE MISSISSIPPI TROUBLES.
ORIGIN OF THE DIFFICULTY.

THE MISSISSIPPI TROUBLES.
ORIGIN OF THE DIFFICULTY.
DISHONESTY AND INCoMPETENCY AMONG COUNTY
OFFICIALS NOT REMEDrED By THE CoURrs-A
MASS MEETING OF TAXPAYERS CALLS UPON
CERTAIN OFFICIALS TO RRsIGN-rHE saEAFF
SUBMITS, AND THE COURTHOUSE Is TAKEN
CHARGE OF BY THE CfTIZENs-A CARD ISSUED
IN HIS INTEREST DENIED by THE sHERIFr-
PROTEST OF THE CITIZENS AGAINST THE COVER
NoRs PROCLAMATION THE ATTACK ON THE
CITY.
An explanation of the circumstances which
led to the conflict reported tho dispatches from Vicks
burg found In late Of the newspapers OF that
city The taX payers OF Warren County coming to the
conclusion that they had been nsnlted outraged ana
robbed until patience ceased longer to be avrue hed
meeting the ~ inst. to consider what course
should be taken regarding the administration OF county
affairs From the report OF this meeting. appears that
several Of the county officers had been detected In org
ing and altering and tho records bearing the
evidence Of guilt and the evidence upon which two
OF them had been indicted by the Grapd Jury had
been stolen from the Courthouse. OF which Sherin
Peter Crosby (coored had charge On taking the chair
IN the taxpayers meeting Judge Warren Cowan SAID
the had resolved not to pay any taxes TO the
Sheriff until he had made sufficient bond. The convic-
ton OF any Of the Courthouse robbers. he continued
mpossble long the Sheriff did not protect the
records from being stolen. The question OF shern
Crosbys bond was to have como before the Board OF
Supervisors that day. but they did not meet The Vicss
burg Herald OF the following day published letter
from O prominent Republican merchant, saying
"Lews Kent, one of Peter Crosbys bondsmen, and
about the solvent one in the city to-day Tor
the purpose of Withdrawing from the bond. drew up
his petition to the Board Of Supervisors myself
and I am sure he would have presented IL
had the Board met as expected" Ills result
was what had been anticipated by many In the
mass meeting. Ono of the speakers. DR.. II. Shan
non said he had trustworthy Information that Sherin
Crosby and Chancery Clerk Davenport both co!ored,
had sent out written and verbal messages for the ne
groes to meet Courthouse in the morning. ana 10
come armed. A Committee Resolutions having been
appointed. reported the following resoutions
% and frsud, on the o,rt Of her omces
Wsa The present ncumoen; % Su IN I oa o. no
competent bu, dishonest and portion Of them arc now under de
wAa Ruin win be the inevitable result of their continuance In
Resolved That eommes Of ten "a. payers tn. and
be appointed wait the county Office" and ihs med
Rsod That the event Of their refusal to comply with the de-
@.a ma OF ., S %ees eg OF or vii .somp the end. pro
% posed ed '''- '''''' ''''' u '-''''' = '
THE RESIGNATION OF CERTAIN OFFICIALS DEMANDED.
The following officers named as the ones referred
the first three cOlored, but indication Is given
as to whether the others white colored Peter
Crosby, Sheriff; G. W. Davenport. Chancery Clerk;
Lewis Ii. Wilson, Coroner A. Newton. jr, County
Sidney Brooks Justice Of the Peace and the
Board OF Supervisors Several speakers objected TO the
pledged the meeting violence in It's demand was
refused. Legal measures, II possible. were favored
committee OF ten which had been appointed to request
the resignation Of the above officers, after short
absence made verbal report through its ehairman,
Col John d. Beard Davenport and Crosby were found,
but the Board Of not The former asked
time consult their lawyers, aud were told that unless
recetVed iVe ' the committee would consider that
they had declined 10 accede to The demand NO answer
was received, and Committee was then appointed to
report practical legal remedy was left to the peo
pile. After short retirement the chairman reported
that the Committee was divided. Owen McGhrr. on
behalf Of majority sad that he was OF opinion that
all legal had not been exhausted In the case OF
Davenport, there were five indictments against him.
Upon these he would up for trial at the present
term OF the courr. probably within week IL ne Is
tentiary In the case Sheriff Crosby, he thought tue
Of Supervisory should be required TO meet wltn
hours. II they failed to DO that aud failed to require
new bond that remedy might be considered exhausted
Martin Marshall on behalf Of the minority, tnongnt n
ample to do full Justice practically they are 20
operated by the courts as to be useless Cosby was
without bond. yet he was recognized US Shern tae
records stolen from the Courthouse, AMI warrants
sGfd ness "a saa te' to
their official duties Ins minority Knew ef % no
adopted aud the meeting adjourned in body TO the
Court-hOuse to demand the resignation OF the county
Cnancery Clerk and Coroner had fed Being assured
that himself and his office would be protected, tne
the following addressed the Board Of peryisors
and witnessed by several citizens: II hereby tender
my resignation Of the Office or sheriff OF Warren County
aud exOcio Tax Collector OF the same. being satisfied
that l unable to execute the duties or said ONCE.
This resignation to fake effect Immediately Arrange
ments were then made for guarding the public buildings
and the meeting OF The Supervisors on Thurs
payers meeting then adjourned to the same day what
done at the meeting OF Dec has NOT been learned
but from meager reports from Vcks0ufg ls oeeved
that Board OF visOrs did not meet on that day.
PUBLICATION OF A CARD IN THE STERrFF's INTEREST.
Early last Saturday morning, the Vlcks0urg papers
say card circulated about the streets bearing the
name OF Peter Crosby the ousted Sheriff. denouncng
the Taxpayers Convention as armed mob, which II
was useless for him to resist These extracts from
the card:
OF most determined an heartess political banditt
that disturbed the peace OF any community, and
had alternative out death. No one will question
,he peril of nv position l do not write this simply
the step took only state .,aiso.t the facts & they
Dishonesty supported by evidence. against have
always tried faithfully to fulfill the du les OF my office
In accordance the requirements o1 the law DONG
Justice to ALL For the same. now appeal to all fair
minded men, / earnestly call for & the support Of my
joined ISSUE let us fight the cause on Its merits. by
any and all means known to the Constitution
submit to such violent aud awess inIrngemen
rights Mol Let u.s. with united strength. oppose this
political tricksters and the sudacious mendacty OF
heartess barbarans are trying to rum the prospects
daily asyns ts s a, power, Of the
law and insulting those charged Win ls adnlnlstra-
tion, Fiat justitia ruat eelum!
The Sheriff, however who had returned from consul.
tatiOn with Gov Ames at Jackson, denies having issued
the card and is said that 1t is probably the work OF
that several times crimnaly indicted State Supern-
tendent OF Education, T. w. Cardozo."