The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-02-18
w. III. II. TIsoE,
THos. SPIGHT.

dence and reluctance that | occupy the
time Of the House, to give expression to
my opinion of the bill to establish a
Metropolitan Police Force, for the county
Of Warren. -
Difidence, because feel want Of
capacity to fathom the depths of ipiquity,
and express the great wrongs proposed TO
be inflicted upon the people of one coun-
~ IN this State, in the enactment into
law Of the principles and provisions Of
this bill.
Reluctance, because | am of the opin-
ion, that majority of this House have
determined to pass this measure regard
less Of the consequences that it will in
evitably entail, not only upon the people
of Warren county, but of the entire State.
But | have solemn and responsible
duty to perform toward my immediate
constituents and to the people of the en-
tire State, and propose to do that, to
the best of my humble ability, relying
much upon the indulgence of the House,
and the aid of a superruling Providence
to aid and guide me in the language that
| use and the ideas that | may convey
in the discussion of this grave question.
What necessity exists at this time, or
any former time within the last nine
years, for the enactment of law Of this
kind for any part or locality of Mlssls-
sippi? VIII any gentleman feline candidly
that he believes there is any kind of ne
cessity or excuses, even, for law of the
character proposed in this bill. Is there
any kind of resistance to the law, or con-
stituted authorities, in Warren county,
or any part of the State? Is there any
threatened resistance to the laws, or con-
stituted authorities in any locality Of the
State, or in the county of Warren
Nothing of the kind. The people were
never more disposed to be quiet and
submissive to law, Notwithstanding the OPP
preston Of the most burdensome tax that
the people ever paid, and nothwithstand-
ing the misapplication and wasteful ex-
travagance of the peoples money, by the
guardians of the law. There has been
no disturbance of any serious character
within the borders of Mississippi, since
the 18th Of December last, at Nicksburg,
when conflict was precipitated upon the
citizens Of that city, by an armed body
of men, whose passions and prejudices
had been aroused to the highest pitch, by
evil disposed persons, in my opinion,
whose duty it was, to have checked the
invasion, and counselled the observance
of law and the punishment of corruption
on the part of the guilty. But | do not
propose to go into the details of the diff
fculties at Nicksburg, further than to
say, that in my honest and candid opin-
ion, / do not believe one drop of blood
would have been shed at NIcksburg on
the 9TH of December last, if Governor
Ames had performed his duty as the
chief executive Of the State. If he had,
instead of suffering his feelings of hate
and malice to control him, gone to Vicks-
burg and conferred with the contending
parties, not as n PARTISAN, but as the
Governor of Mississippi. he could have
secured peaceful and bloodless settle
ment of all the questions at issue. He
did not think proper to pursue this course,
and the ignorant, excited men, believing,
correctly too that Governor Ames, was
Mt ''their back" rushed on, in their
frenzy, and met the fate that awaited
them. VIII any gentleman say that
the occurrence alluded to, is a justifica-
tion for the passage of such a bill as this i?
Are not the parties interested quietly
litigating the questions Of difference be-
tween them before the courts Does
any one believe that there is any violence
intended or threatened by the men, whom
this bill is intended to operate against
The United States troops, that were
called for by Governor Ames, and by a |
majority of this Legislature, are on duty |
at Nicksburg, and if the people there, |
0l,l
this bill would indicate, there is an am
pie force there to suppress any outbreak !
that may be attempted, without the in
Fiction of such law as this upon those
people. There is some other object in
view, something else to be accomplished, |
than what appears upon the surface of
this bill somebody to be punished, |
some object to be attained, other than the |
performance Of a little legitimate police
duty in the city of Nicksburg. Gentle
men need not tell me that this is in
tended only as an ordinary police or
ganizatibn. If so, why embrace such a |
large area of territory? Why extend it
beyond the limits of the city 1t is not
usual for such organizations to be ex-
tended over an entire county. This does
not only do that, but in some respects it
Is co-eXtensive with the State, which |
will undertake to show, as | progress
with my remarks.
The End section of the bill, provides
for the appointment of three commission
ers, in whom shall vest the powers and
duties. exercised by commissioners of
Metropolitan police, together with the
discipline of the same, and constitute a
board, in connection with captains, SER
geants and patrolmen, of the Metropolitan
Police force, for the management and
control of the same.
1t will be seen at once that this is a most
extensive arrangement, a comprehensive
and intended to bring about
no ordinary result WhvShree commits
sioners? One would TO as well, if the pur-
pose was not to combine as much power
as possible. Why not concentrate all
this power in the hands of the Governor,
if the object is not to combine as much
influence and power as may be needed,
and then hurl that combined power
against the object to be destroyed. ask
the majority Of the House to pause, think, I
investigate, before You proceed further.
here are objects TO be. accomplished |
under this bill, that the honest, unsus- i
pectlng members have not dreamed of.
These commissioners are TO have six
years tenure of Office, and to be appointed |
by the Governor and from casual !
reading of the bill, you would think the :
were to be confirmed by the /
Senate, but by careful reading, you I