New-York tribune., 1879-01-20
NEW REBELLION IN ALABAMA.

4 NEW REBELLION IN ALABAMA.
nrR RELATIONS Win TIE UNITFD STATES RI
FgERED TO A COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
- MARSHAL MPRISONED-POLIrICAL FRAUDS
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE rRIBUSEl
WASHINGTON. Jan. 19.-The State of Alabama
having referred the question of her relations to tho
United States to her Legislative Committee on For
eirn Affairs ranges herself while awaiting the re-
snlt. alongside of South Carolina and Tennessee in
the deliberate attempt to Obstruct by the
action OF her local judicial machinery, the pro-
resses which have been begun within her territory
by the courts of the United States. United STATES
Marshal has been arrested and is now III JaIl in
selma for having executed the orders Of the United
states Circuit Court. The facts are as follows
Frauds in the count and baloting, both of which
nrts are now reOrganized IN Alabama as legitimate
and proper political expedients, were carried on to
their usual extent during the November elections
There were none of the violence and intimidation
winch characterized the canvass IN Louisiana and
south Carolina but on the contrary the greatest
good feeling apparently prevailed. The Democrats,
who had gained possession Of all the political
machinery of the State by means which VIII be de-
scrbed further merely SAID TO the Republicans
IN those parts of the State where the latter had
majority, "You DO the voting and we will do the
counting" This was all open and above board. and
was considered by the Democrats 10 be good joke,
knowing that they had the power and the Will to
carry out the programme.
4 number of the defeated candidates however.
did not consider 1t Joke As the evidence Of fraud
was at hand 1t presented 10 the United states
Grand Jury and indictments were found against
n number Of Democratic Inspectors Of Elec
ton. BY prompt action on the part OF
the Distrlct-Attorney and the Marshal a number of
balloj-boxes aud poll lists containing convincing
preOfof the frauds, indeed, containing the frauds
themselves. were secured and are now locked mp in
the vaults Of the United States MaTshaPs office.
The trials for winch these are to he used as
lence arr fixed for some time IN May, and ii is, Of
course. Of the highest Importance to the ends of
Justice that these records and ballot boxes should
not he tampered with until they placed IL
evidence.
Ii Is however of equal Importance TO the interests
,r the Democrats that this proof of their crimes
lhould not be permitted to have It's proper effect
against them and the methods they have adopted
10 secure possession of these documents and the
ballot boxes with their contents although neither
new nor likely to be effective, are in their simplicity
and directness III companion schemes 10 those
winch served in South Carolina and Louisiana
20 accomplish similar results. On the 11th iAst
,nbppnas wcrc issued by order Of the City Court
Of Selma. for j. W. Dimmic!. Clerk Of the Circuit
gourt of the Middle District, for United states
Marshal George Turner. and for the United States
pi,trct-AttorHey, Charles f. Mayer, commanding
them to appear forthwith and produce be-
fore the CITY Court Of Selma the poll
lists. poll sheets ballots. etc, described
therein. In reply the Dsrict-Attoruey said
that he had no authority u remove the articles
from the custody of the United states Marshal and
that he did not have access 10 them except for
the purposes Of examination in orscr 10 prepare the
rases for the Government. The Clerk OF the
Court made a similar reply, order of
he United States Circuit Court specially covering
he case having been adopted forhdGng the re-
noval of the documents, etc. until otherwise or
iercd bv the Court itself The United states Mar
ihal said that he had no custody Of the documents
iud no control over them except that they were IN
The vaults in bis office. Ihcreupon the latter
official was arrested and committed TO Jail for
i've DAYS the limit 10 which the City Court
mas the power to sentence. but, as believed, with
The intention Of recommitting and repeating the
process long might be n"ce-~ary 10 compel HIM
% produce the document, and balot-boXcS, and sur
endcr them into the custody Of the Democratic
officials OF the local courts.
These facts are Oh record IN the Attorucy-Gencra
office and it is known that a feeling Of great indie
1atiou IS entertained - tins new outrage. Orders
layc been issued for tie United states officials IN
Alabama To take advantage Of every legal method
To- secure the release of Marshal Turner, and To
protect the officials of the United states Courts III
the performance of their duty.
That this event as well as the recent act Of the
State senate in directing It's Foreign Affairs Com
mittee 10 consider the propnety of taking away
from the people and yesting the Legisla-
ture the power of selecting Presidential elec-
tors until such time as Congress shall
sre fit 10 repeal existing laws for the pro-
lection of voters, steps IN the comprehensive
programme for making aud keeping the South
Sold" no one acquainted with tie recent political
history of Alabama can doubt. There Is IN the mid
die of the state section comprising several cOun-
ties known as the black belt where the Re
publ lcans comprise about tLree-Quarters of
tic whole population. Against THIS Sec
ttou has been aimed every device which the
most INSCRIPTIONS ingenuity could invent, with
view 90 rob il of its due proportion of political
power or rather to give that power into the hands
oI the minority. Local laws ana customs which
originated in former times designed to secure
eqca political rights to all men have
been abo!is he'd, and the Federal laws for
tie same general purposes have been nHiiined III 50
far Is th, could be done with safety, while the pro-
cess is stil going ON. few Illustrations must
suffice
When the Democrats cane into power in the
State Government they found a law uoYld-
iue that the ballot-boXes and their con-
tents must remain after election day III the
custody o. the Probate Courts. Is the officials OF
these courts elected by the people in the sew
eral counties, and many of them for terms of six
years, which time has not yet expired. it became
Necessary IN the interests of the Democracy to pro-
vide some other custodian for The ballot
boxes, 50 that the manipulation necessary
10 procure majority might be undertaken
with greater safety. They thereupon repealed the
law IN question, and il It's place passed one pro-
yiding EIat one Of the Supervisors Of Election