The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1875-03-04
MISSISSIPPI.

The committee which visited Mississippi to
investigate the condition of affairs in that State
have submitted two reports the Republicans
uniting in the majority report and the Demo-
Gratis III that of the minority The former
begins by giving statement of facts concern
ing the troubles arising out of the election
from Office of teter Crosby, elected Sheriff of
Warren county, Miss at the November cleo
ton OF 1878. It states that shortly after his
election, there was formed in Yicksburg an as
ISOLATION called the Taxpayers League. the
object of which organization was to correct the
alleged mlsapphcation of funds both Of the city
and county; that earlyin 1874 another organiza-
tlon made Its appearance narrower in it's pur-
poses, illegal In It's aims and basing itself upon
the embodiment of force, and readiness to use
violence for the purpose of controlling and
overthrowing the will of the majority lawfully
expressed IN the form Of an election This in
terror organization has not yetsuch precise form
ana so distinct an existence as in Louisiana ::
but is unquestionably an extension into Missis-
slppl of the White League organization, whose
headquarters is in New Orleans The purposes
OF these organizations are l. To make a CEN
su5 and enrolment of all white men in the
State. 2. To incorporate into interior military
organizations all whites who will join with them
3. TO set aside, by whatever means NAV be
necessary, the election of colored men to Office
and to nulllfy the Enforcement act. T. To allow
none but white men to be elected to or hold
OFF ce.
The committee then recite fully the mems
taken by these organizations to control registra-
ton, by keeping out of the city of Vicksburg.
under show OF force, any persons they choose
to keep out. They patroled the streets had a
counterSgn; watched the steamboat landing,
ferries, and roads, and attended in armed bodies
at the registration of voters. The committee
review fully the causes leading to the election
of Crosby from Office state that the regularly
elected officers Of the county were by violence
ousted from Office the entire records and
papers of the offices, the Courthouse and all
the county property unlawfully and riotousy
seized upon by an unlawful combination of men,
not only without warrant of law, but in direct
and palpable violation and deliberate transgres-
sion Of all principles and forms of law known to
any civilized people, ."
The committee then recite the facts concern
ing the Cherry street fight in Vicksburg. and
say that to read the reports of the newspapers,
or to take the testimony of some of the partici-
pants the passage of the bridge of Lodi was
nothing to the fight on Cherry street; and
they treat the engagement with great levity
They say the black people, on being fired upon,
scattered In all directions, singly or in groups,
and occasionally returned an Intellectual
fire. They then set forth the names Of those
killed and the circumstances attending the
killing.
They regard questions arising from the con-
dition Of the public mind in those respec ts as
grave and serious, the whole fabric of societv
having been subverted by the war traditions,
prejudice, habits and inherited beliefs having
been overthrown by irresistible force. They
discuss the old relation between master and
slave, the difference in condition, etc. Thev
picture the slave, brought from his lowly condi-
ton of servi5ude to the memorable level of legal
AID political equality. The changes in the war
brought no changes in human nature and
though the war compelled obedience of
the conquered, it does not bring obo-
dience from the heart Of the man who
lost his all by it. They do not say
there exists throughout the South a
hatred to the negro, merely because he is a ne
gro, but the hatred of negro officers of munich
palities, Legislature. and States is intense.
They dislike to recognize negroes in Office or on
jury duty They are willing that they shall al
ways vote for white men, but they cannot in
duce them to abandon the party that liberated
them and gave them their rights, in the full ex-
ercise of which they are despised. Negroes are
incapable Of combination, unfit for conspiracy
gentle in temper, and enduring to fault. The
whites control the land, commerce, press and
telegraph, buy correspondents, and give their
color to all views, magnifylng the offenses of
cOlored men, ETC. The report conclude as
follows
''The committee believe there is urgent necessity
for further action by this Congress, and concur in
recommending the passage of the caucus bill, and
the adoption Of the following:
''ReS0lced, That the violent overthrow Of law and
order in Vcksburg justifies the application of Gov
Ames for troops, and the action of the President in
ordering them sent to that city"
THE MINORITY REPORT,
which is signed by Spear, of Pennsylvania, and
OBrien, of Maryland, concludes as follows
From review of the whole testimony we briefly
state our conclusions
Fir8t-That in the city of viclsburg and county
of Warren the white citizens pay about SO per cent
of the taxes, which have grown enormously oppreS-
sve, and the negroes chiefly assess, collect and dis
burse them.
Second-That the debt of the city, which in 1869
$l3, 0O0 is now 81 ,00O as far as can be as
certained; that it has accumulated to this sum by
reckless and improvident legislation by officials
and is a grievous burden imposed on population
of IL 900 people, less than half Of whom white
people,
Thdrd-That corrupt and infamous ring, COM
posed of negro officials, has existed in said city and
county for several years, who, by forgerles pecua
ton, and systemized frauds on the revenue, have
impaired the public credit impoverished the people,
and augmented The taxes to rates resulting in prao
tica confscaton.
Foauth-That Peter Crosby the Sheriff and Tax
Collector, the political and personal friend of
the corrupt officials, and by his power in sum-
moning jurors their conviction rendered prac-
tCauy llnpOSs1plS that the Snern admitted to ball
his political friends when charged with tho gravest
ofense bonds VIGOROUSLY worthless, was the
impeachment to the administration Of Justice in the
courts.
Ftth-That Judge Brown had publicly declared
that the prosecution of CORDOBA, the leader of the
ring, for malfeasance in office, was persecution
when no honest in Vicksbrlrg of either party
doubts his guilt and by his craftsmanship had de-
strOyed public confidence in the tribunal which
he presided.
iSiTth-That the Tax Payers League was organized
irrespective of politics color and that it's sole OBJ
ject, stated in it's Constitution and declared in it's
meetings. was to secure capable officials and honest
government.
Seuenth-That the bonds of Crosby as Sheriff and
Tax Collector utterly insufficient if not abso-
lutely worthless.
Eighth-That the Board of Supervisors were adj
vised of the utter insuffciency of Crosbys bonds,
but corruptly declined to compel him. the law re-
quired, to give good and sufficient bonds.
Nipth-That the time having arrived for the COL
lection OF taxes, the taxpayers having adequate
remedy, justified in their demand for Crosby's
resignation, and that his resignation voluntary
and not the result OF violence or threats.
Teptt-The conflict of Dec 7, resulting in the kill