The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-02-27
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
SAruRpAY. February b. ISIS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
SATURDAY, February %, 1878
! House met pursuant to adjournment
| Speaker PERCY in the Chair. Prayer by
Rev J. T. Zealy, ID. ID. Roll call:
| PREsENT-Messrs. Aldrich, Allen. Apple
white, Augustus, Bailey, Baker, Bassett
Bean, Bird, Brown, Bunch, Carter, Catch
| ing, Causey, Chamberlain, Cook, Cooper
! Cunningham of Marshall, Cunningham o
! Monroe, Davidson, Dean, Depham, Eaton
| Edwards, Erwin, Farley, Field, Ford, Ghol
| son. Gibson. Gilmer. Glass. Gordon, Gwin
| Hall, Hampton, Hatch, Hearhman, Henry
Hicks of Kinds, Hin, Hogin, Hoyle, Hurt
johnson. Lewis, Liddell. Lusk, Marshall o
Carroll, Marshall Of Holmes. Marshall O
Warren, Martin, McCollum, McGehee o.
Wilkinson. McSwine, McWhorter, Nets
Miller of Copiah, Montgomery of Marshall
Moore, Nelson, Niles, Mum, Parker, Pc
gram, Perkins, Pintard, Rainey, Ramsey
Reed of Choctaw, Reid of Coahoma, Red
head, Richardson, Roane, Roberts, Robin
son, Scott. Seabrook, Seal, Stands, Smith
Spght, Spiuks, Stamper, Showers, Street
Tarver. Tison, Trest. Tucker, Wall. War
rem. Washington, Whitaker, Wilson, Young
of Panola-g7.
ABsENT-Messrs. Ballard, Bizzell Cam
eron, Clay, Dabney, Day, Dockery, DoZer.
Farmer. Gallagher, GoOdrum, Hicks OF
Yazoo, Key, Libby, Love, Magee of Frank
lin, Mckenzie, Mclean, Miller of Pamela,
Montgomery of Oktibbeha, Moody, Wood
and Young of Calhoun-23
Leave of absence was granted to Messrs.
Dozier, smith, Dockery, Mckenzie, Bizzell
and Moody.
THE soUTHwEsTERN COUNTIES
Mr.. SP EAKER-Your special committee APP
pointed to investigate alleged state of law
lessness in outhwestern counties, have given
the subject that careful and deliberate
consideration which its great Importance
demands. We have summoned and taken the
testimony of unite number of IutoIliWent
and reliable persons living in Amite and
Pike counties. We have also had before as
the testimony Of a number Of parties taken
before officers in the counties IN question, and
numerous private letters. From these various
sources Of information, il has been ascertained
that since the early part of last Fall there has
been more or less lawIessness existing in the
counties of Amito, Pike, FraHEli"i Li"Vvii-'
and sometimes spre1ding TO adgolhlhg o9lh J.
ties, manlIestInT' ltseIr. PERSONS going about
at night leaving threatening notices, whip
ping and sometimes killing persons, and
burning houses. Your committee have sought
diligently for cause for this state of affairs,
but are unable TO arrive at any conclusion, 9th
er than the general financial depression of
the country. We are satisfied however, that
the parties engaged in this lawessness are
not Influenced by political considerations il
is rather spirit Of agrarianism, a
consequence, il appears, Of the
unfortunate financial management of the
people who have seen their homes
and other property, pass, under mortgage and
deeds of trust, into other hands. few years
ago these counties were as PROSPEROUS, indie
pendent and law abiding as any section Of the
State but the system Of agriculture, of max
ing cotton at n low figure to purchase the ne
cessaries of life at high prices, has caused
their condition to grow from bad 10 worse un-
til these people have become dispondent and
have given way to an unfortunate and de-
plorable communistic feeling. Such a ques-
ton as is here presented, is by no means n
new 1t is n subject that has from time to
time puzzled our wisest statesmen in different
parts of our common country. The committee
desire to emphasize the fact that this question
has nothing to do with politics These lawless
persons have no animosity toward the color
ed people, for evidence of which, your commit
tee refer to the disavOwals on this subject made
in the many anonymous notes and letters
scattered over the country by these men to
teTrify and alarm the people. Their object
seems to be desire 10 dive off the laborers
and tenants Of the land holders, and not to
iniure the laborers themselves. II is n spirit
Of COMMUNISM in its incipiency, which, IN the
opinion Of your committee, will demand Wig
orous and immediate action on the part
of every lawfully constituted authority OF
the Government, If law and order are 10 be re-
stored to that section Of the State. We are
happy to state that lawlessness, by no means
prevails throughout these counties, but is
confined to certain localities. BY far the
larger portion and the better class Of the peo-
pie DESTROYS that law and order should
prevail, and are ready and willing to cO-op-
crate with the authorities in putting down the
violators Of the law. The committee has as
certained further that the Courts and prone
officers are dilligent in the attempt to enforce
the law in these counties, and it is no fault OF
theirs that this condition Of affairs exists.
The great difficulty is that these lawless per-
sons 90 about at night and keep well con-
cealed and have witnesses usually 50 terrific ]
that it is almost impossible 10 bring them 10
justice. The officers, aided by good citizens
are doing all that is possible under the pecu-
liar circumstances 10 put an end to this I'M
fortunate state Of affairs, hut have thus far
been unsuccessful.
Your honorable body has taken one
step in the light direction by making an APP
preparation 10 enable the Governor 10 call out
the military power Of the State, in the event
it should become necessary. The committee
as a partial remedy to meet the case, recon-
mend the passage Of the accompanying bill,
and being at a great loss to know what fur
Their to do, would most earnestly beg the adj
vice and earnest thought of every member OF
the Legislature on this grave question, in this
moment Of supreme Democratic rule in Mis-
sissippi. In conclusion, having devoted a
large portion Of our time to the earnest, faith
full and pc tient consideration Of this subject
honestly endeavOring TO lay before you the
real facts in the case, and having the utmost
confidence in the desire, ability and patriot
ism in the great dominating party in the
State to protect each and every citizen, from
the highest to the lowest, in the free and full
e ljOyment of every right, your committee
would ask to be dis charged from further con.
A. b. HURT, Chairman.
The committee submitted with the report
a substitute 10 II. b. TO suppress lawlessness
Substitute adopted, and the bill and testi
mOny were referred to the judiciary Com.
mittee.
THE SCHOOL BILL.
III. b. to establish a uniform system o
public schools was read and passed. A mo-
| ton TO reconsider was tabled.
The Joint Committee on the Mobile anC
| Ohio Railroads. Indebtedness, made the re
port which has already been published II
the Senate proceedings.
Mr.. Gallagher. chairman of Committee OF
Public Lands, reported two bills, they d.
pass.
H. B. to enable the State to obtain tn
money 1ue from the United States as In
demnity for lands sold under acts of Con
gress, March 2, 1855, and March 3, 1851
| Committee amendment adopted, and the bill
passed.
II. b. to facilitate the redemption of land
heretofore sold to the State for taxes. Re
committed to the Ways and Means Commit
4 tee.
BY Mr.. Street. Supplemental 70 the &C
to regulate the bay Of members Of the Leg
islature. Passed.
THE 18TH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.
Mn. sFEAKER-Hour committee 10 whol
WAS referred House Joint Resolution direct