New-York tribune., 1874-09-19
THE TENNESSEE JAIL Affair.

GOV BROWN PROTESTS AGAINST THE INTERFER-
RNcE OF UNITED STATES OFFICIALS IN THE
ARREST OF THB GUILTY PERsONs-THE STATE
LAW FOR THE PRESERVATION OF PEACE RIGIDLY
ENFORCED.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Sept. 1s.-Gov. Brown of Ten
nessee sent the following this afternoon to
President Grant: .. ,,.....-,,-,,r
NASHVILLE, Tenn, sept. lS. 1874.
His Erceeney Z. g. GRANT President Of the United Sates
Washington Ctty, ID. c.;
rnara we're sixteen negroes committed to the jail OF
Gibson County in this state charged with conspiracy
70 take the lives of white citizens of their neghbor
hood On the ght the 25th OF August 1874 party OF
disguised men violated the jail and took these prisoners
forciby from the tailor and killed four and wounded tWo
the remainder escaping and being at large The next
dav offered reward of $500 for each OF these unknown
offenders The State Court being then in session. TOOK
immediate cognzance OF the outrage and the abors OF
rhe regular and special term have resulted in the detec
ton and indictment Of OF the guilty parties, the ma
,ortv Of whom have been arrested and the remainder
will be IL they not fed the country Ihey are IN
deted under second and third sections OF the act OF
the General Assembly of Tennessee OF 1859 and 1870
passed on the aOh day OF January 1870 entitled An act
10 preserve the public peace anu "cn AS III LUZ iOIoo'
The sections are as follows:
SECTION BE II further enacted, That II person or
nersons disguised mask Oy day or by nght snail
npon the premises OF another, demand entrance
m INTO the mousse or inclosure of any citizen
of TINS state shall De considered Prd Jde'e evidence
that his their intention Is 10 cOmnit LeIohy anu
such demand shall be deemed an assault Win an nIenI
TO commit felony and the person or persons PEI % 80
offending SHALL upon conviction, DC puhlsneu oy LpiIs
onment IN the Penentiary for not less than ~ years
nor SC re IL firfher enacted That IL any person
nersons so prowling. travelling riding or walking
through the towns or counties OF TINS state naskeu IN
dis0nse should may assault another win deadly
e9pou he or shall be deemed guilty or an Assault
With an intent commit murder IN the hrst degree ana
on conviction thereof shall suffer death oy hangngi
provided the Jury ing the case may not substitute
imprlsonment the penitentlary Tor period Oi not
less than 10 years, nor more than 70 years.
The State authorities have manifested the most
earnest desire 70 enforce the law against the guilty
and have demonstrated by these indictments
and arrests only their disposition but ability to en-
force the law and protect all citizens without regard to
race color or previous condition OF servitude These
f,rts can assure you, will in no sense be relaxed
rntu the majesty OF the law is fully vndicated Not
,bstanhinr these efforts with the result stated, the
rrn,ted States Marshal and Commissioner for the
Western Division OF Tennessee, with the ad OF detach
uents from the Government garrison at Humboldt have
arrived and continuing TO arrest citizens, and con-
veying them under guard to Memphis nearly 100 miles
distant, 70 answer Tor tue sane 0AeAse 0""' s0u
them by the State Courts.
As Governor Of Tennessee do most respectfully bu
earnestly protest against the exercise OF jurisdiction py
the United States Commissioner and Marshal without
frence 10 the question whether the ofenses the
proper subject OF cOgniZance by the United states
Courts but alone upon the ground that the peace OF
society will be certainly preserved and the rights
Of citizens as well protected by concedng Jurisdiction to
the state Courts and therefore respectfully ask your
Exceency that further arrests be made by
the Marshal and that the parties already IN ms custody
he turned over the proper local tribunals iof trial ana
1 ,,,sbnent I undertake to assure your Excelency
that no effort will spared TO enforce the Laws and
nrotect the citizens by the officers of the State Govern
men throughout borders OF this state and believe
tb local authority is ample to protect the people Of
! avery race and condition in lfe An early reply Is
respectfully solicited
! JOHN C. BROWN. Governor Of Tennessee