The New York herald., 1876-02-07
Progress of the Reform Movement Among
Southern Republicans.
JEFF DAVIS LETTER AT THE CAPITAL.
A Plot to Suppress the WhSkey Trials
and Secretary BriStOw.
COMBINES CANDIDATURE
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.


THE REFORM MOVEMENT AMONG THE SOUTH
ERN REPUBLIcANs-EF EFFORTS IN MISSISSIPPI,
SOUTH CAROLINA AND ALABAMA.
The reform movement among the Southern repub-
licans spreads and gathers strength rapidly II began
in Mississippi last and resulted In the defeat
of Governor Ames plot make himself United States
Senator and the election OF honest Legislature; and
Mississippi republicans say that their party hav
ing defeated Ames shake of him and his corrupt
adherents and reorganize honest footing with
the probability of getting the support Of large part
of the white people and of fair share of the colored
voters we'll The reorganization VIII be made under
the leadership of Senator Alcorn
Governor Chamberlain followed in South Carolina
and is known TO be encouraged and strengthened by
the sympathy his letter Senator Morton has drawn
toward hun from the largest and best part Of the
Northern republican press And the honest
publcans Of Alabama breaking ground for reform
and in opposition TO the misrule and corruption which,
the management of Senator Spencer has caused
the defeat Of party there on the 29th of Decem-
ber the Executive Committee met and determined
to increase the number OF tho committee. The
committee met on tho I'd inst and consisted Of twenty
two members On meeting the members compared
notes to the condition of the party and it dis
covered that Senator Spencer had sent orders to his
adherens TO oppose any reorganization and to bolt If
they we're overruled Accordingly, when Ex-Governor
Smith was chosen chairman of the committee
by a OF Is to T. Charles Mayer, Spencers fugle-
man, did bolt from the committee and set up a sep
arate ana botng organization, taking with him
other members. The committee having still fifteen
members, not disturbed 1t held harmonious
meeting and decided hold a State Convention on the
10Th May for the election of delegates to Cincinnati
The Spencer boilers meantime held secret meeting by
themselves and determined call convention on tho
Oath Of May.
In determining on this bolt from the regular party
organization IT is said here that Senator Spencer took
counsel with Senators Logan, Patterson West and
others, and then gave orders his Mayer TO
fuse to remain in the committee if he found he could
not control it il spencer's interest
The Spencer boilers represent the corrupt ee-
ments of the republican party Alabama and many
of the federal office holders who Spencer's ap-
ponteas The regular committee represent the hon.
est republicans of the State and havo among them and
their side such Judge Saflold, exCon-
gresham Buckley, Ex-Governor Smith, Judge Rice
Mr.. Cadle of character and thorough honesty 1t
is understood that committee consisting four or
five such is on Its way here appeal to tho ad-
ministration for its counenence and help in oustng
Senator Spencer from the control has long
over the party.
This is the third time that Spencer has tried the rue
or policy the republican party in Alabama,
with the help of such Hinds Sheets an1 others
of equally poor character IL is impossible that
the matter will be brought before the Cabinet, tho
committee, who their way here, will probably
ask the removal of number of Spencers appointees
in the State and the appointment in their places Of
better
HOW NIB. DAVIS LETTER WAS RRoEIvED IN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FIREBRAND
The letter of Mr.. Jefferson Davis amnesty is re-
garded here by conservative men, of both parties
another and very needless hrebrand flung into the
political field. II pointed out that he deuies the
authority of Congress to grant amnesty dis
abilities under the constitution, and thus g-
more the fourteenth amendment and his talk about the
wrongs" which, in his opinion, the Southern people
have 'orgven and his that he refused to ask
for pardon, thought to be very bad taste;
also his charge that the North inflicted greater
bartes' prisoners than he would order on those in
his hands.
The letter, people say is simply calculated to revive
anmosities which ought to rest, and shows that Mr..
Davis is still soured and impracticable person,
has the tact to silent 1t is thought
that the letter will arouse good deal OF bitter feeling
in the North, for say Mr. DAVIS writes though
the rebellion right and the defenders OF the Union
In the wrong and ought to humble themselves
and ask parton. Sensible democrats, Southern
we'll Northern men, they regret the letter. and
think 1t was entirely uncalled for.