New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-31
POLITICAL PERSECUTION.
INTIMIDATION AS PRACTlCED BY GOVERN
MENT AGENTS IN ALABAMA

Euf ARREST6-HAYSS IN DANGEH-A
CHANCE FOR REFORM IN THE DEPARTMENT OF
JUSTICE CARRYING PRISONERS THREE HUMID
RED MILES FROM HoME-DKTECTIvE HEsTER's
RECORD UNDER RAPHAEL sEMMES.
fFRoM THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuSE.l
NOBLE, Ala, Oct. 3.-The preliminary examina-
tion in the great Sumter County conspiracy case
was suddenly and unexpectedly interrupted to-day,
rs THE TRIBUNE has already been informed by tele-
graph by the refusal of United States Commissioner
Gillette on account of the pressure of other bust
ness" to listen to the argument of counsel or TO
name any day tins week when he would do so. The
case was therefore postponed until the 10th of No
vember, and the prisoners allowed TO return home
their own recognizance. This in all probability
ends the since in two weeks the election will
have passed. and nothing can then be gained by
pursuing these men further.
The postpOnement is generally looked upon here
rs a trick the part of the Commissioner TO avoid
a decision in the before election. The whole
accusation is of so frivolous character that nobody
believes that Commissioner Gillette. strongly par
tisan as he is can find any ground which to hold
the prisoners and their discharge before the Sd of
November would il is feared. destroy the whole eff
feet of the reign of terror that has been produced III
Sumter County by Hester and Beach, and perhaps
cause a reaction against the Administration party
ali over the North. 1t is thing TO detect crime
thing to drag men hundreds of miles from home to
answer frivolous accusations that cannot be sus-
tanned
MOTIVES FOR THE SUMTER COUNTY ARRESTS.
There are two theories on which this malicious
prosecutiOn-for such it undoubtedly was-may be
explained; one is personal and the other political
believe that both had something to do with IT, The
personal motive grew out of a dispute which arose
between Detective Hester and Col. WetmOre In the
United states Commissioners Court at Lexington
day or two before the lstters arrest Mr. Hester had
obtained a warrant for the apprehension of Mr..
CObbs, of the Democratic candidate for the
CHARACTERISTIC ia the district of which Sumter
County forms part. The accusation was that Mr..
CObbs had engaged in a conspiracy to intimdate
the negroes 10 intimidate Bob Reid. and to inter
fere with the United States mail. He had IN fact
been one of the Sherif-s posse which went TO Bel
to quell the negro riot. The case was brought
before Commissioner Wayne of Livingston for pre-
lminary examination, and Detective Hester con-
Quoted the prosecution. while Col Wetmore appeared
for the defense.
1t very soon appeared that Mr. Hester could not
make out his case. Young CObbs is man of exem-
plary character and habits, and his Influence both
by word and example has always been against vio
lenee and on the side of law and order. During the
examination it was proved that before the posse
armed negroes were, the Sheriff warned them that
he had come to quell the riot in legal way and
without the of force unless 1t necessary
and 1t was also shown that young CObbs had re-
marked that he was glad the Sheriff had made that
speech SINCE If there was business OF a different
nature on hand he desired to be counted out. When
MI Hester saw that he not likely TO make
ont his case he moved the discharge Of the witnesses
for the Government-sOme 10 In cumberland
-. -. (N.1
as counsel objected to this proceeding, when Hester
remarked that he had a right to summon half the
county as witnesses if he desired. COL WetmOre re-
piled that TO do so would be a great outrage after
which there were some threatening demonstrations
on both sides. but nothing more. Young Cobbs was
discharged by the Commissioner, but Col. Wetmore
Was arrested very soon after, and 1t has been con-
jectured that Hester took this means Of revenge
upon him. for il has been a great misfortune for Col
WetmOre TO be forced to leave Livingston at this
time while the Court there IN session, and 10 be
put TO the expense of employing counsel ana bring
ing witnesses 10 Mobile.
INTIMIDA ALTON FOR THE SAKE OF HAYS.
The political motive may be briefly explained.
Sumter County was. before the reign Of terror pro-
dueed bv the United States detectives and maTshals
began politically doubtful. A majority Of the
voters are negroes and il carried by the Repub
hcans in 1872 by about 700 majority. great num-
Der of the more Inte gent of the blacks have since
that time Joined the Democratic party, and many
more. disgusted with the way things have been
managed 6y the Republicans, had concluded not 10
vote al all. The result of this change of opinion
among the negroes was seen In special election
which took place there last February. The State
Senate OF Alabama II may be remembered, was
evenly divided between the two parties be-
fore the Republican Senator from Sumter
County died. The election TO Eli the vacancy
was therefore. Of the greatest Importance TO both
parties. since 1t depended the control OF one
branch of the Legislature. The Republicans made
especial efforts to carry il. They sent there some of
then best eauvassers. and company of soldiers
was ordered 10 Livingston. When ohe votes were
counted II was found that the Democrats had car
ned the county by between 800 and 100 majority.
ShouId the vote of Sumter be the same this year
Charles Hayss majority, which was only little
more than 5GN9 III 1872 would be reduced 1000 10
this county alone.
To prevent this il was necessary to intimidate
the white people and the Democratic negroes. How
far Messrs Hester and Beach have been able TO
brighten the white people by their wholesale arrests
Ibaye shown IN a previous letter. The arrest OF
Col Wetnore. Chairman Of the Democratic Execu-
tive Committee OF the county, while on bis way to
sttend the first Democratic meeting 70 be held at
the eountv-seat the accusation that he had entered
into conspiracy xiii OF 90 lnJuTe United states
Deputy Marshal, aud the transfer of the case TO
Mobile hundreds of miles from the place where the
Ohense was alleged to have been committed, for pre-
hmnary examination. bold stroke of political
pOiicv If that wOnd not brighten the white people
away from the polls nothing would.
A WORD ATToRNEY-GENERAL WILLIAMS.
Among the few negroes who have always since the
II. - ,1-o%,. II 7 -..l,