The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-10-06
Nature and Cost Of EseEOrHa Ea
5EiSsIAAipPi


reformer viii not hesitate To ad-
nit that Mississippi, under
the present administI alton, is
wholly in Democratic hands. Such
is a fact. Having by intimida-
ton, fraud and violence secured
a majority in both branches OF
the State Legislature, and in ma
ny counties where large Republi-
can majorities exist, secured the
election of the entire Democratic
county ticket, they could do
what they chose. Their first
act of reform was to compel,
by threats of impeachment, the
resignation of Governor Adelbert
Ames, Lieutenant Governor "A.
X. Davis, Superintendent of Pub
lie Education, Hon. 7. w. CORDOBA,
and in their stead placed their
own men. Having by these means
acquired possession OF the execu
tive and legislative department,
of administration, the second step
Of reform follows, and consists OF
the removal OF 81 Circuit and
Cnancery Judges, ana appointed
in ttieir places men whose love
sor reform was much greater than
their ability TO administer justice.
Some Of these have been heard
to say of counties where Repub-
lican majorities existed, that"these
counties must return Democratic
naiorities. by fair means if pos
sIble' which meant negro stay at
home and not vote, Tor by foul
means il need be-" which means
if the negro is not willing to stay
away from the ballot-boX, means
will be found to make them stay.
Their third act of reform was a
general resignation. They enact
ed laws which render it almost
impossible for large portion of
the colored population of the
State to register, thereby trying
to secure the future success of a
minority over a majority of the
people. The fourth step consists
of enacting laws relative TO county
official bonds, which, while they
in no wise render the bonds any
moro secure, render it impossible
for Republican office-holders, be
their honesty and efficiency in
office beyond question, to furnish
the kind Of bond required, or con-
tinue to hold their offices. BY this
means every Republican sheriff and
tax-collector has been forced to
resign, and new election or
dered, which will only be contest
among aspiring Democrats, owing
to the uselessness of PLACING a
Republican candidate in the field.
The fifth step consists of radical
change of the common-school
laws, a cutting off of its revenue TO
such an extent to shorten the term
and lessen the salaries of teachers
to so small an amount as to rende
it impossible to secure the service
of competent teachers. Thus,
as a grand reform movement, allow
ignorance to become more dense,
where intelligence is SO much
needed.
Having thus viewed the nature
of the reform we find it to be purely
of a partisan character, based upon
the principle of caste. Colored
members OF the House of Represen-
tatives were, during the last
session, compelled to occupy one
corner of the hall by themselves,
and allowed no voice in debate.
Colored children, being of poor
class, who cannot afford to pay
for private instruction, are de-
prived of education. Never was
there more general removing of
State and county officials than that
effected by the Inauguration of a
Democratic administration in
Mississippi. Reform there meant
to remove from Office all Repubh-
cans, be they ever so worthy.
This reform having been so
thorough, IL may not be out of
place to count its cost, and ask
ourselves the question, Is the
reform worth the price? A
Republican majority of 22,750, as
given in 1872 had to be intimidated
and overcome. This was effected
as follows:
l. By the riot of Vixburg, which
cost the life of 40 colored citizens,
driving away at least 100 colored
cotton planters, the burning of
Mr.. johnson with coal oil, and
the murder of Mr.. Hickman.
2. The riot at Yazoo City, which
cost the life of 81 colored men and
the fleeing of 80 colored planters,
who gladly returned to Alabama,
vowing never again to tread upon
Mississippi soil.
3. The riot at Macon, NoXubee
county, at which 13 colored men
were killed,
4. The riot of Clinton, Kinds
county, which sent II souls to
eternity, robbed the State of
foully murdered Senator, Hon,
Chas. Caldwell, and ended in the
cold-blooded murder of Mr..
Haffa.
The riot OF Deer Creek, ISSaquena
county where 8 men were shot in
cold blood, and fifty fed for safety
to Louisiana and other neighbour
ing States.
5.The riot Of woodviile, Wilkin-
son county, where, without any
provocation. 81 innocent colored
men were ushered into eternity,
and 80 more forever left the
State.
6. The murder of 81 colored
men at various times and in differ
emit parts of the State, but with
out excitement enough to be call
ed a riot. To secure reform in
Mississippi has cost 1S5 murders
and driven 1872 industrious men
from her limits; thus she is depriv-
ed of the productive labor OF ST.
of her best workers. Allowing
each TO represent a labor results
of six bales of cotton, Mississippi
loses 1862 bales of cotton, at an
average value OF $40 per bale