The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-03-05
The Vick sburg Committee Hea rd
From--Sayage Condemn alton Of
Negro Rule.

From--Sayage Condemn alton of
Negro Rule.
Representative Speer, of Pcnnsylva-
mia. and O'I,rien. of Maryland, Of the
Mississippi special committee, have uni
ted i'm report concluding as follows ::
From review OF the whole testimony,
we briefly state our conclusions
l. That in the city OF Vicksburg and
the county of Warren the white citizens
pay about 99 per cent. OF the taxes,
which have grown oppressive, and that
the negroes chiefly assess collect and
disbur-e them.
2. That the debt OF the city. W hich in
1859 was 81 300. il now $l,4OO 600. as
far IA can Le ascertaincd that IL has ac-
cumulated TO this sum by reckless ard
limprUdent legislation by fhe Rel ubiean
officials, aud is gricyouS burden iBl-
posed upon a population Of liocO poo
pie, loss than Lalf OF whom pre- white
people
g. That corrnlt and infamous ring
cu,nIc-sd OF negro officials, has existed
in said city and county for several YEAR,.
who. by forgeric-, peculations and sys-
tematised frauds on the revenues, have
impaired the public credit. impov erished
4 people and augmented The Ncs to-
~ - resulting in practical conflscation-
4. chat Peter Crosby. the Sheriff and
Tax Collector. was the political and per-
sonal friend OF corrupt officials. and by
lis poNer in summoning juries- their
conviction wa, rendered positively i'm
3ossiLlr that the sheriff admitted to-
bail hi ye,sonal friends when charged
with the griNest RI cnscS. on bonds mo-
toriouSly worth, which was the cl.icf
impeachment 10 ti.S administration OF
Justice ia the courts.
/ 8. That Judge Brown had publicly de-
clared that the prosecution ofCardoze
tie leader OF the ring, for nalieassnce
in office. was persecution. when no hon
e>t man in y 'cksburg. Of either party,
doubts y suilt, and al his partianship
Lad destroyed cehtiticure in the tribunal
over whici he Nr-.laA
9. Tia the -'Ys League " as or
gained irresi,t Iics or cJloi
and that lis 80 - stated in rs
Icnn-iitutior arad in ITS mce.
'ng. wn- .o-, srabic officials anG
.lH hsnr-t gn "i.
7.lhsi i..s DO 3f Cro-tyas Sheriff
cieui il 80, ap-vutci. Wort bless.
s. Thai the Board OF Supervisors were
advised of the ulier nsufficiency of the
Crosby bond. but corrupilv declined 10
compel him. as the law required, TO give
good and sufficient bond
O. That the time having arrived for
the collection of taxes taxpayers hav-
ing no adequate remedy. we're Justified
in their cemand for Crosby resigns ion,
aud that his resignat ica was volun tary
and not the resur of violence or threats.
10. The con let Of i)eccm Der 7th. re-
lsuliing iu the killing OF two whites and
Itweniy-four colorea persons. was solely
and wholly caused BY an armed attempt
of negroes OF Warren County 10 invade
V icksbHrg: that this invasion was in
cited and insiigatcf =, Peter Crosby,
'aui that Crosby Was advised and en-
lcouaged to take this course and was
promised aid in it by Governor A mes.
IL That the defense OF the city was
made under the direction Of the Msvor
aud all the preparations Of the citizens
" ere justified by nainrcs highest law
self preservation. They acted in de-
s,n~e of their families aud homes, and
any other course would have been cru
eliy to the families Of both races: for,
a. General Packer testified. il was n
mercy To the W omen and CHI lren, W hiie
and black. that the ne -roes were pre-
vented from entering the city,
IL. That the Purpose of the invaders
was only limited by the will of their
leaders. and thai II they had succeeded
in entering the city they would have
been assisted by "a large number Of well
armed and thoroughly organized me-
grocs IN the city. who were ready 10 CO.
operate with them.
13. There is not and has not been any
organized ~ ,ist:shce ut Nick-burg on
the part Of tie " 'iilcs TO the lawful au-
thority bat. on fLe contrary. the white
people owning nearly all the property
and PAYING nearly all the taxes. are sim
cerely desirous OF preserving the peace
and good order. Their interests. social
and business. give strength to this desire,
anil iho patience they have exhibited un-
der ;ae accumulated wrongs and out
rayes. such as the citizens of a Northern
city would not tolerate for a day. Is a
marvel Of our civilization.
1 "a. There is no White League or po-
litical organization IN Mississippi. whose
object il to deny to colored men. bccau sc
OF their color or any other reason. any
rights or privileges guaranteed by law
nor Is there any political organization of
white men which he. any other object
than TO secure the election Of honest and
capable officers.