New-York tribune., 1875-01-26
WASHINGTON.

INVESTIGATING ALABAMA'S MISRULE.
EKssIoN OF ooBURNs SPECIAL ooMMITTEE-k&AMi-
HArroN OF T. L. WHITE, TRIBUNE CORRESPONDENT
-tSsrRuoTIONs OF The TRIBUNE TO ITS CoRRE-
.. epOypRNTs-CRoss-E -ExAMINAT1oN-soURcEs FIX OF
THE INFORMATION IN TRIBUNE LETTERS ABOUT
ALABAMA.
IBr rELKoRArH TRIBUSEl
WAsuIScroN. jan 25.-Coburn's Special Commit
AAe to investigate affairs in Alabama continues its
eetings in this city and taken considerable tes-
timony since its return from the South. Among the
witnesses who have been examined IN Washington
/, Hester, the detective who with Beach operated in
Sumter County, Alabama, during the last campaign
Hester was in Sumter County at the time the Sub
Committee was there; and the citizens OF Liyings-
ton thought it only fair that he should give his tes-
timopy there. where they could bring rebuttng
evidence il necessary. His examination here has
made il desirable TO call additional witnesses from
Sumter County. who are expected here Ia 10"
days.
At the morning session Of the Committee. to-day
the only witness was Y. L. White, the chief WASH
ington correspondent of The TRIBUNE, who spent
more than month in Alabama during the last State
canvass. The examination was conducted chleny ny
Mr.. Buckner. q member Of the Committee. MI
White said that he went South by order OF the editor
of TIE TRIBUNE and produced his letter OF lDstruc-
or course our only object to get at the exact truth
ana we don't care a a. whom IL helps or hurts. Your
letters should te full and minute, and you can gel tne
eored peope talk 1t would be well TO quote good
d. OF their language.
MI White said that he went first to Montgomery,
and at once put himself into communication with
the leading men of both parties, taking particular
pains to find out the prominent Republicans. and to
talk to them, as many Of the Conservatives called
Lo hair do
o6 the controversy without effort. 1t having been
asserted that Mr. White while in Alabama. associa-
ted only with the Conservatives, and therefore
allowed them to deceive him, lie said in answer to
question that during his stay in Montgomery he did
accept invitations TO gentlemen's houses, but that
he wes as often the guest of Republicans as Of Con-
terva;ives and he gave the Committee the names
of some Of those from whom ne accepted bospitali-
flea The witness testified at length in re-
card 10 the state of affairs during his visit
70 Alabama especially in Montgomery and Sumter
County; his statements being substantially the
same as those given in his letters during the months
of October and November. The witness was briefly
cross-examined by Mr.. Albright, who asked him II
it was not generally understood between the editor
Of TIE TRIBUNE and special correspondents that
the letters written by the latter should be coored so
as 10 sustain the political ideas that governed the
paper. Mr.. White replied tnat on the contialyi us
instructions were always to tell the exact truth and
10 state the arguments Of and facts relating to po-
btcal OF other opponents with especial fairness and
care leaving the editorial department OF the paper
70 manage It's policy. Mr.. Albright then asked the
witness in regard to the condition of affairs IN sum-
ter County during lis visit there, and then said,
"Thcn YOU don't agree with the Grand Jury at No
bile" aud read from what purpOrted to be the re-
port of the Grand Jury, statement that atroclous
crimes had been committed in that county which
ought ~ be taken cogDzance of by the State Courts
MI White replied that he did agree with the report
Of that Grand Jury: that he hOd written much
about the m1rder Of Billings and lvey in that
county. and had condemned il IN his letters in the
strongest language. The Committee will hereafter
hold ngat sessions until the testimony is all taken