The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-05-19
Carpe1-Bag Politics.

a
Spencer. so-called e. S. Senator, one OF
the itinerant gang was the head devil
and central figure. The plot was to keep
control of the Legislature by fair means
or foul. The witnesses are all RepuolI-
cans who were the confidential agents OF
Spencer, but have since abandoned him.
The purport of the testimony IS that
before the election he went to Louisville
to see Gen. Terry and urge him to send
troops to Alabama. the purpose being TO
use troops as a political machine to intiml-
date Democratic voters. The pretenee
for the application was the usual carpet
BAG pretext that the whites were intimi-
dating the negroes, committing Ku klux
outrages, and depriving them of their
rights. On this point the following testi-
mony is adduced:
4 have letters from Spencer relative
to the use of troops, but as they are con-
fidential, | do not propose to introduce
them.
ssThe committee insisted on seeing the
letters, and Barber after consulting coun-
sci introduced them.
s'Letter No. 2, dated Decatur %, after
stating what troops had been ordered to
Alabama and where stationed, proceeded
thus: 81 wish Randolph, deputy United
States marshal, would use the company
at Opelika, in making arrests in Tala-
hasse, Randolph and Claibourne counties.
| wish you would go to Talledga and
block the game. l must not, however,
be known in the matter. Signed. In
haste. Truly yours, GEO. E. SPENCER.
To RoBT. BARBER:
The witness continued: 81 knew
Spencer's handwriting, and these letters
are written and signed by him, and bear
the impress of his seal and motto 'Dle1t
deterade Ie droit." The expression, relative
to arrests in Randolph and other counties,
refers to a letter received by me from
Randolph county, in which it was stated
that if troops could be sent into the coun-
ties uamed, to make few arre-fs, enough
voters could be run out of them to secure
the election of Republican candidates for
the legislature.
The Democrats and Conservative hav-
ing secured majority of the legal MEM
bers of the Legislature it was determined
by Spencer and his clan to break up the
regular Legislature and organize a sepa-
rate body in the Court House at Mont
gomery and swear in a sufficient number
upon false certificates to constitute a
quorum. The witness, who, as Secreta-
ry of the State Republican Executive
Committee, was cognizant of the plot,
states:
Republicans who opposed Spencer,
were bought over with money and prom
Uses of appointment to office. In order to
get quorum for the courtroom body,
men were sent for and paid to come and
represent counties, not only without GER
tifcates of election, but without any pre-
tence of election. In order to defeat
a quorum in the capitol legislature one
member was bribed by Kinds, and an
other was drugged to insensibility. The
money used in corrupting members was
government funds, borrowed for the pur-
pose from post and revenue officials
When a compromise was offered by At
torney-General Williams, it was found
that unless one Democratic Senator
could be unseated, and a Republican
placed in his stead, the record would
show that the courtroom legislature had
no quorum in the Senate, and that Gpon-
GERS election was void. Thereupon one
Glass, the Republican Senator for Macon
was paid from $500 to 5000 to
pair off with a Democratic Senator in
what was known as the Miller and Mar
tin contest, and violate his pledge"
Another witness swore:
81 was clerk of the lower house of
he courtroom legislature, and also clerk
If the house OF the consolidated legisIa-
ure. The object of the courtroom leg
stature was to secure organization and
elect Spencer to the U. S. Senate We
lid not think this could be done if we
net at the capitol
As Assistant secretary of the Republican
State Executive Committee, | was ia
niliar with the plan of Spencer and the
party. j. j. Kinds was
5pencer's confidential man, and repre-
ented him in every particular. He had
control of every movement. G.. C.. Sheets, |
Col. w. F. Belts, d, G. Whiting, J. j.
Kinds, Chas. Pelham, U. S. Marshal A.
R. Baker and had the special manage
nent of Spencers election. was In
formed that all money needed 10 secure
5pencer's election was provided and in |
he hands of Kinds. 1t was said that |
he Lowndes county delegation, except |
Maj. Hunter, were disaffected. This
would defeat Spencers election. We |
we're informed that 81, 200 had been |
aised to disaffect these members and that |
t had been deposited subject to the order
# Senator Jones' Ghis we afterwards |
ound to be untrue, but not knowing any |
,etter then | was instructed to say to |
Zones that we had 81, 800 subject to his |
rider, conditioned on his holding the |
4owndes county delegation in the court-
DOM assembly"
1.-The Lowndes county delegation"
7ere finally bagged, and this is the way
was done
g told them Spencer had made up
is mind to give each of them an appoint
lent, and Spencer, who was present,
them route agencies. During
ne night | left Barnum on watch and
-ent to Spencer's room to suggest the
ropriety of sending to Lowndes county
,r Bryant. Bryant arrived the next
ay, and, as | understood, received 3d.
90 from Kinds. This seemed to fix the
.owndes county delegation all right
he legislature convened that morning.
he IxownaeS county n elaOafion waro rro
INT, and voted for Spencer. Many mem
ers from other counties were promised
tfices. was authorized by Spencer to
romise members as many offices as l
light think necessary to secure their
lpport. 1t was understood Calvin ]
oodloe was to get a Federal appoint 1