The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-02
THE VICKSBURG SLAUGHTER
Contradictory Testimony Before the Congress
siOnal Committee Rule of
the Negroes Crosbys Unfortunate
Proclamation and Its Mis-
Interpretation.

WITCH VIC EXAMINATION OF colonel Horace Miller
was continued.
TO Mr.. O'Brien-Held the ONCE Of Judge of the
Criminal Court in 1857; in 1862 was appointed
Charge d'ATaires to Bolivia which position filled
three or four years. In answer to a question re-
stated tnat for some time after the war
the whites made earnest efforts 20 &C
commodate the mselves to the new state of
AFFAIRS especially with reference to negroes
voting, by holding out every lnducemenJ to get
them TO vote with the whites by nominating some
OF them for ofice; this was continued for years
without success, when 1T became well recognized
fact that every negro whose name was placed on
the conservative ticket was ostracsed by his own
race, no matter what his former connection with
them had been alter many unsuccessful attempts
the feeling grew upon the community tina, it was
impo ssbe to conclliate that element, owing to
the TACT that
THE PKEJUDICEs OF THE BLACKS
were continually inflamed against the whites by
the appeals OF carpet-baggers, political adven-
urers and the worst elements OF the white race TO
the effect that the whites were their natural ene-
mics, aud exaggerat statements OF cruelties and
punishmentS inflicted on the Blacks in slave times,
and that the object OF the democratic party was TO
reduce them TO slavery again and their only safety
was III adhering TO the republican party; every
element Of discord was constantly kept before
them, and the result was that in every election Tor
series OF years the negroes voted In almost
solid mass and were often carried to the polls In
military array under leaders, where they re-
NAMED until the whole column had voted, the
leaders handing them their tickets or else deposit
ing ballots Tor them This state OF affairs produced
the color line, the whites being satisfied it was
useless to coalesce with the negroes in vo,-
ing, and that they were incapable OF ad-
administering any Office i0r the benefit of the
country. and determined IN future to vote Only Tor
white men Tor office, but IN this had no intention
OF depriving the negroes OF the right OF the
Franchise or other vested rights granted them
under the constitutions; nor had he heard the
abrdgement OF their rights as voters discussed at
all; the whites OF Mississippi accept IN good lalth
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
and laws passed by Congress In relation the ne.
groes; the only exception TO the blacks being free
TO vote as they please comes rom their own
race, and sucn is the Intimidation used in this
that they dare not vote against the republl-
can party he cited two individual cases; that Of
a colored man, one Of his lo'mer slaves.
ticket but he tMlller had advised him
not to DO so. as his black nelghoors
IN Vicksburg called Edmund, who on two occa-
sions mad to oe escorted 70 the polls by whites in
time on returning h me was assaulted by mobs
OF black men and women, and only escaped MUIR
der by the interference OF white men; knew no
instance where the negroes mad been discharged
for not voting the democratic ticket; had heard
men say In consequence OF the enormous taxa.
ton they would not employ ne2roes who voted
with those who had saddied their taxes on.
CROsBY'S BOND.
on Friday. December 4 crosby told him IN tue
presence o. General Writ Adams that lie could not
perfect his bond; tried after consultation with
number OF taxpayers to effect compromise by
the taxpayers as deputy who could give bond
and give him possession OF the office, with full
he was entitled to the emoluments OF the ONCE:
told him he and the one selected would
doubtless make a satisfactory arrangement;
Crosby asked time to consider the question made
TWO appointments To meet nlm and get an answer,
but Crosby kept neither OF them; alterward,
learning that he went 90 Jackson that night re-
Turned the next morning and issued his prOclama-
ton on the night OF december Z, when In charge;
Crosby, when l told MN what Owens had said
about HIM, said that owens and the cO0red peO-
pie mad misunderstood his order; he had not in
structed them to come into the town:
done SO; his answers IN reference
to the card published over his name were contra
son, who signed his name to 1t and who had made
IT stronger than he Crosby but admitted that It
was written at his request and circulated by his
order; General Packer and Colone Lee said when
they saw the card that 1t was dangerous and likely
to produce bad RESULTS they were both IN The city
on the day OF the fight, but he (Miller did not see
them; they mad told him they we've here.
REGULATIONS IN OFFICE
here dated back to the accession to once OF
Crosby AS County Treasurer and Card0Za as Cir.
cult Court Clerk the increase OF taxation here has
been rapid ana enormous; now the entire taxa
cent? o reduction has been made IN the rate or
city taxation since the democratic government
was elected; the former city governments since
1872 nave been republican; 1t was dliicult TO esti
mate the assessments on lands outside the city
with the real value, but IN nearly every
case II put up at public sale they would not bring
the assessed value: the value OF lands In the State
since 1860 nave deterOrated from fifty to seventy.
I'VE per cent; lands in the vicinity worth prior TO
the war rom $25 to $50 per acre are now only
worth from So to $40; california" a plantation
on the Louisiana side, whica sold before the war
~ ntn a.lI. av1flu tor q IIn
stanced similar cases IN Issaquena county.
TIKI LAND ABANDONED
To Mr. Spear-Large bodies OF land in this and
adjoining counties have been abandoned by the
owners else forfeited to the state for taxes be-
cause OF excessive taxation; there was no secret
political association among the whites here; the
TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION was not a political organ
TO MIR. Hurlbert-There was no organization to
establish color line there never had been o con-
vention OF that kind held knew this feeling
prevailed throughout the State, but had not yet
taken shape, but would doubtless result In pollt-
zeal organization; at the late municipal election,
the color line being then In its incipiency,
dld not enter into 1t; the republicans, prior to
this election, mad a small majority; knew OF no
INTIMIDATION toward officers charged with con-
Quoting that election; knew that arms were
brought here about that time by gun dealers and
sold to the citizens; they were generally VIM
chester rifles carbnes, not over seventy-five in
number, and were brought here in the month pre-
cedIng the election; all the militia companies
had needle guns; the col0red company had
about eighty only; there was was one , armory
consignment, and aiterward distributed to the
citizens; the debt Of Warren county and city was
about 81 400 900; large portion Of this came from
loans to railroads and sO-called pubic improve
ments Furlong was Sheriff before Crosby; he was
nrst appointed by General Ord, and then elected
twice; Furlong's assertion in the Legislature that
100 negroes were killed near the Pemberton monu-
ment was untrue.
To Mr.. Wiams-The citizens believed there
was conspiracy between Crosby and other on
Gals to deiraud the people,
TO Mr.. speer-severa nights before the August
election HalPs colorcd company had pickets out
on the streets and stopped gentlemen in carriages
and searched them; among those searched were
Horace Marshall and Charles Prime ana VILE this
caused much Indignation and the purchase OF
arms by some OF the citizens; from conversation
with Crosby | thought Governor Ames and Car.
dOZa had advised him TO regain the Sherins office
IN fact, saw the following letter on official letter
paper:-
Orucx THE SUPERINTENDENT or
PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, :
JACKSON, Miss, Dec. q, 1874
DEAR CRosBy-Do not make any compromise with
those fellows The government Is at your back. steps
will be taken for your relief They will be ample and