The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-08-23
. Mississippi Investigation.
,tnority Report of Senators Ray
ard and Mcdonald.


No. December -, 1873, the Senator
NJ Indiana Mr. Mortonl submitted
n allowing resolution:
~ .lynEREAs. 1t i alleged that the late
.,i,p in Mississippi for members o.
q nrrass. State officers, and members Of
Il, legislature, was characterized by
a. frauds. violence and intimidation
Inv the freedom of the ballot was in
,reof measure destroyed, a reign oil
established, blllot boxes stuffed
/ -,;ag. tickets imposed upon voters, So
!, q popular majority of more than
e 6g0 ,rs. overcome, and in its place
giyen an apparent but fraudulent
NV Of more than 70, 900; and,
.rea. the Legislature thus chosen
1 n have the election Of Senator to
r..apt that State in this body aud
sraa.. If these allegations are true Il
number Of the citizens OF the United
4 ,re have had their rights, under the
n 'C,ustituti5a and laws Of the United
/ ,te. wickedIy violated Therefore,
/ Rss3lreI, That committee Of five
knltors be appointed by the Chair TO
r..tjgate the truth Of the said nllega-
n, ned the circumstances attending
I. 4 election, with power to visit said
1 ne to make their investigations, TO
NJ for persons and papers, and to use all
\. ,c..ary process III the performance Of
4 ,ir datjes; ami to make report to the
4 nate before the end of this ses
N af their investigation and findings."
He supported its adoption by a series
\ .oeeches. the last of which was dated
mary 10, 1916, the true history and
,oiratign of which will hereafter be
ted in considering the testimony taken
ors the committee The resolution
.pt until the 9th of March, 1876,
zen an amendment was proposed by the
oator from Michigan Mr.. Christians
and accepted by Mr.. Morton, as fol
bws:
WHEREAS, 1t is alleged that the late
elton in Mississippi Gin 1870 for
.mbcrs Of Congress and State officers,
/ d members of the Legislature was char
terizad by great frauds committed upon
4 N violence exercised toward coiored
hzens Of that State and the white citi-
ms disposed to support their rights at the
ection. and especially that the colored
Dters, on account Of their race, color,
previous condition Of servitude, were,
II intimidation and force, deferred from
bling. or compelled to vote, contrary TO
cir wishes. for candidates and in support
Il parties 10 whom they we're opposed,
Ind their right to the free exercise of the
eetive franchise, as secured by the
|ieenth amendment to the Constitution,
us practically denied and violated. and
bat such intimidation has been since con
nued for the purpose Of affecting future
e5tions; and whereas the people of all
IL United States have an interest in and
hight 10 insist upon the enforcement of
rs Constitutional amendment, and Con
ess having the power to enforce 1T by
bpropriate legislation, cannot properly
egect the duty Of providing the neces-
.ry legislation for this purpose: There
prc,
Rosolued, That committee Of five
enators be appointed by the Chair to
lyestigate the truth of these allegations,
hd to inquire how far these constitutional
gifts have, in the said election, been
plated by force, fraud. or intimidation,
ld to inquire and report to the Senate,
ttore the end Of the present session,
hether any, and if so, what, further
gisiation is necessary to secure to said
bored citizens the free enjoyment OF
leir constitutional rights and that said
pmmittee be empowered to visit said
Pate. to send for persons and papers, to
Ike testimony on oath, and to use all
ecessary process for these purposes"
After debate in the Senate, the reso'
bti0n was adopted. In the course of
his debate, the Senator from Massachu-
lts Mr.. Boutwell, made the following
kcaratioD
For Seventy years the spirit of by
eerisy and Misrepresentation dominated
Der the slave-holdiug section of this con-
Rderacy. They continually presented
hemselves to the country and to the
NOrd as the friends of the Union, and It
4as a lie from first to last. They were
Pc enemies Of the Union; and when
Re Union did not answer the chief pur-
pee which they had, and the only pur-
se they had. the preservation Of the
Rshtutou Of slavery. they made war
pom the Union. The Senator from
pslaware was the political supporter and
" and the substantial defender OF the
ben VITO made war upon the Union, who
lung to the Union for seventy years
shder the fulsekood that they were its
R,ends. They were lts enemies all the
#hie. Slavery, the spirit "a slavery, Is
I'M ever has been the enemy o. the
mon, and it is 50 to-day. The troubles
4 the South are due to the spirit of sla-
lely, and the time has come when L am
erced TO confess to myself and with 80
Ihetaues 10 say here that | do not IN my
Reart believe that any man educated
ander and ohealient to the influence OF
sayery can be the friend Of Union that
designed TO establish and preserve
quality. The North will do well to take
4eed and TO trust no man who was brought
u under the influence of slavery, con
toiled by its spirit, and dominated by
power, aud is not yet extinct.
Inc committee, as finally appointed
fnaer the resolution, consists of MessFs.
Poatwe,l, Chairman Cameron of Wis
Dqsin, Mcmillan, Bayard, and Melon
a. thus Quitting in the organization OF
committee she mover or amender OF
e original resolution, The first meet
Of the committee wae held on the
: IN the Capitol; and at tbs SECOND
Aird meeting. the clerk of the com
au"ee' Mr., Bartlett, was appointed stem
stapher, and Mr.. james Redpath, o
massachusetts,, was selected in his place
clerk, and has continued with intelli
Euce aud efficiency to fill that position
a'iag been present at all the sessions OF
eommlttee. On the - a resolution
y offered IA the committee by Mr.. Bay
~ - mat the testimony should be takeI
~ open doors, which was rejected b,
y committee, Mr.. Bayard end Mr.. Nc
Sonald voting in the affirmative. But I
al portion of the testimony has as We
80 printed, nor has any report of th