The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-07-25

EDITOR NICKsBURG HERALD: In conSi,l-
Grafton at its diSreputaple authorship my
original design was not to notice the attack
of ). , Morris upon me in recent number
or the Herald, but In Difference 10 the ind .
ment OF friends, who have thought il light
create false i'm preston upon the mind, OF
some uniformed persons, | have modified
my lutention so far 70 reply TO that part
OF the publication which relates to an Act
OF the Legislature, passed in 1872 He SAYS,
treferrlng to myself: ''But he also at the
same session, conciliated all the thieves.
burglars. torgers cmbrzzlers. man sIay+rs.
etc, by little amendment which abolished.
by legislative enactment, all btil-honds and
reco9niZances. which had been taken hv the
Courts in criminal cases, and gave All the
parties, primer pals and sureties a wholesome
and unconditional release"
The Act of April ), 1872, amendatorv of
the rules, and practice aud procedure in
criminal cases in this State, effected a com
plete and radical change in these rules. 80
that the Sureties on bail ,Dds or recoo-
nizances were almost necessarily bound TO
have judgment final entered against them
in case of default without Opportunity To
apprehend their principals and deliver them
up TO satisfy the ends of justice. The bill
was prepared by Morris him self and there.
was no doubt OF IFS passage with the Sth
section which liked the limitation of two
years As to all criminal otfenses before that
time committed. The object and purpose OF
this section are well-known to the bubble.
aud was the most Objectionable section con
tanned in the bill. >
The 9th aud 10th sections of the bill were
suggested by me, not to relieve criminals
from punishment for offeuses committed
during the war, because they had already
been relieved by previous legislation, bur
for the benefit OF those who during the
period of reconstruction, under 4 military
government and the violent domination OF
carpet baggcrS, had become bound as sure
ties upon bonds for the appearance of par
ties charged in many instances with crimes
unknown to the law The parties CHARGED
ecere not relieved, and if guilty ofany ufftnse.
may be prosecuted now, unless barred by
the statute of limitations.
The 9th and lOth ectionS did rot release
principals at all, ana was not so intended
hut only applied TO sureties. These sections
also required and made il the duty of the
Court to order an alias capi1s for the appre-
henSlOn of any person charged with an Of
fence where the suretirs had been relieved
1t was believed by majority Of the Demo
cratic members OF the Legislature. that the
bonds taken by the military authorities
and by the Judges add the District Attor-
neys. called to official position by the car
pet bag government of the State were not
only In numerous instances oppressive. ty-
rannical, and could not, and ought NOT. to
be enforced against the suretieS, and sections
and 10 were considered fair measure OF
relief in view Of the radical change proposed
by Morris.
1t will be remembered that simply made
the suggestion in the judiciary Commit
aud took no further action in it. 1t will
also be remembered that Morris insisted
upon the passage of the bill, with the
amendments. (See testimony of Gov r. c
Powers, Chancellor C.. a Sullivan and
Judge John Watts House journal, 1872
In 1873, rs "a member of the Legislature
moved the appointment of Il Committee to
investigate the conduct OIL. 5. Morris as
Attorney-General of the State The Com
mtttee. though composed of majority OF
Republicans. made report by unanimous
consent, conVicring him of hribe taking, of
selling his official opinions to LOBBYISTS to
influence legislation apprOpriating money
out OF the Treasury, ana of levying blaek-
mail up IN parties who could not draw their
dues from the Treasury without his official
sanction. The report was agreed to by a
body, composed OF a large majority of the
party to which he belonged: and il was
followed up by his defeat In the RepubIi-
can State Convention for nomination
tor tie office he had pr"stituted Attribu-
ting his disgrace to this exposure he has
nursed his revenge. and with the instinct OF
a true coward aud assassin Of character. he |
has assailed me with viruporation and false |
hood on the eve of the Democratic Conyen-
ton when he supposed he could take me AT |
a disadvantage, and intlict the deepest in |
Jury.
am not prepared to believe that the
Democratic party of Mississippi is willing |
% lend itself To the purpose OF gratifying
me revenge OF disgraced criminal, whose |
conduct was driven to the necessity ofey
posing in the iii Scharge OF Il public duty 1s /
representative of the people
ROBERT LOWRY