The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-06-18
THE RADICAL OUTRAGE IN VIRGINIA.
The following is taken from the Cincin-
natl ENQUIRER of the 18th inst:

The following is taken from the Cncin.
natl Enquirer of the 18th inst:
WASHINGTON, June 14.-The conduct OF
the United States Government in reference
to the municipal election lately held in Pc
tersburg, Va, has excited intense iEdigna-
ton in that State. A. that election the
negroes, who had ruled the white population
for five years, after the fashion of their
brethren in So.th Carolina and Louisiana,
were completely routed and white mans
government set in operation. The election
was conducted in perfect order and fairness,
under the State law, which had provided
special securities against the usual negro
frauds upon the ballot.
The result of the election naturally gave
mortal otfense to the SJOwell and Platt, the
carpet-bag members of Congress, and to
the ring Of Federal otfice-seekers in Peters
burg. The judges of the election were
seized under the United States enforcement
act, and although there is United States
Commissioner in Petersburg, these gentle
man were dragged over to Richmond, and
there tried before Commissioner Peasants.
Various negroes testified on the trial, nearly
all Of whom confessed that they had per-
jured themselves, and the charges were
shown to be utterly frivolous and void but
the United States Commissioner decided to
hold all these judges to bail for their ap
pearance and trial at the United States
Circuit Court, upon the ground, as stated
by him, that at a preliminary examination
an accused party is bound to prove his'inno-
cence.
This proceeding created much feeling in
Petersburg, but, though it led to no disor-
der or violence, the carpet-baggers made it
the preteXt for call on the President for
troops to be stationed at Petersburg. In
stead of rebnking this application, or COM
municatins with the Governor and authOri-
ties of Virginia in the matter, Attorney Gen
eral Williams utterly ignoree the latter al
together and writes a letter to the United
States Marshal in Virginia, a carpet-bagger,
and tells him to summon posse to protect
the property Of the United States Govern
ment in Petersburg and the officials, as if
the people there were ready to perpetrate
outrage on both, and there was no local law
or authorities to maintain the peace. He
also leaves it to this obscure carpet-bagger
to decide whether the Federal troops shall
be called there from Fortress Monroe or not.
All this time there is perfect order
throughout Virginia, except here and there
negro incendiarism, one gentleman living
near Richmond having had nine attempts
made to fire his dwelling This attempt to
in Virginia the tyranny which
was perpetrated in North Carolina and
Soath Carolina under the enforcement act
will eliminate from the Republican party
there the last semblance of responsibility.
The President had hoped for party in this
State, but no man of any position or weight
in the Conservative party is willing to quit
that organization, or to cOuntenance his am
bition for third term. The idea thrown
out by some of ticket with the names of
Grant for President, and Gov. Kemper for
Vice President, was repealed by Gov. KEN
per in the most emphatic manner.