The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-12-17
Wholesale PknndeY BY
Radical Officials.
A Ring of Corrupt officials have 1t
all Their Own Way.
THE PEOPLE POWERLEsS TO RE.
FORM ABUSES.
The Governor Lends His Aid to
Corrupt Practices.

VIcKsBURG, December ia large
body of citizens sets forth statements OF
the origin of the late difficulties. The
statement is signed by B, e. Humphres,
Ex-Governor; John A. Klein, President
of the Mississippi Valley Bank b. X.
Thomas, President of the Vicksburg
Bank G. Gordon Of Adams Express
Company, U. 5. District Attorney and
u. S. Commissioner and other proml-
nent citizens.
After recounting that the Warren
county officials of 1873 were nearly ail
negroes, the statement shows that /. w.
Gordon, Circuit Clerk, was elected to the
State Department Of Education. Gov.
Ames, thereupon contrary to eXpllcltlaw
and the State Constitution appointed A,
w. Dorsey, his successor in August 1874,
Upon affidavit of the State Auditor OF
Public accounts, Dorsey was arrested for
issuing false and forged certificates.
Dorsey was committed to Jail andresign-
ed. Again the vacancy was filled by an
appointment by Ames contrary to law
and the appointee still holds possession
of the office. Upon investigation. Dor
sey's frauds were discovered when
CORDOBA was found guilty Of similar Of
fences.
DoINGs OF RADICAL CORRUPT oFFIc-
,IALs.
George w. Davenport (negro) was
elected Chancery Clerk and was sole
custodian of the county seat and public
records. 1t being discovered thata large
amount of forged warrants werein circu-
lation, Davenport was repeatedly called
upon to make report to the Board OF
Supervisors and pcrsistently failed to do
so. He refused Commissioner of tax
payers permission to examine the rec
ords, and it may be added here, after his
fight, it was discovered he had no bond
whatever on record.
RESULT OF THE INvESTIGATIoN-PUBLIC
RECORDS HID.
AT tine October term of the Circuit
Court, Davenport and CORDOBA were in
dcted by the grand jury composed often
blacks and seven whites. During inquiry
into the ofense, the books of the County
Treasury and other valuable records
bearing evidence Of the guilt of the par
ties were stolen. The other records used
in the investigation were put in charge
of Sheriff Crosby and were also stolen.
The sheriff is also tax collector and is
required to give bond in $1,000, 500. He
gave worthless bond, and when its
worthlessness was brought to light, sew
eral sureties withdrew, thus making the
instrument illegal. The supervisors at
torney (Republican), declared the bond
illegal, but the board refused to order
the sheriff to give a new one.
A RING ORGANIZED TO PLUMBER THE
PEOPLE.
1t is generally understood the Board
acted under the influence of the sheriff
and indicted off cials who were interested
in keeping him in office. In November
the sheriff published card calling on
the taxpayers to pay up, and saying he
would hold the sheriff office until GUST
ed by the Supreme Court. This was the
condition of affairs viz: Taxes amount
ing to five per cent. of values were due
the sheriff to whom the taxes were
payable was insolvent and bondless, that
the Board of Supervisors, though impor-
toned to do so, had failed to take any
measures required by the law for the
protection of the people; that valuable
public records and papers necessary as
| evidence to convict Cardoza, Davenport
and Dorsey on indictments found against
them had been stolen from the Court
House, of which the sheriff is by law the
keeper, that sheriff Crosby was known
to be an intimate personal and political
friend of these criminals, and besides be-
ing charged with the important duty OF
summoning the juries by whom they
should be tried, was the custodian OF
records furnishing evidence Of their guilt
and had failed to protect the same from
larceny and spoiliation, and that to all
appearances those officials seemed band
ed together for mutual protection, and
in the strength of numbers and mutual
countenance were defying the laws Of the
State and prostituting their Offices totheir
private ends.
TAXPAYERS ATTEMPT TO REFORM
ABUSES.
On this condition of affairs, the tax
payers had meeting, and as already
known, demanded the resignation ofthe
officials. Crosby resigned and the others
fed. Crosby then went to Jackson to
consult with Gov. Ames. Ames issued
proclamation commanding taxpayers
to disperse.
CARD FROM CROSBY IN WHICH HE CALLS
THE WHITES BARBARIANs.
I lContemporaneously with Ames' proc
lamation, card signed by Peter Crosby
was circulated among the colored people,
denouncing the whites as rufians and
barbarians, and calling on his friends to
come to the aid of the sheriff and sup
port him. On the same day Ames' Ad-
ujutant General and aid arrived in Vicks-
burg, and abont the same time Hall, cap
tain Of negro company Of militia, re.
ceived orders 70 hold himself in readi.