The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-02-20
Teller, Committee.

TeIierB committee.
The Teller Committee met again in Wash
ington on the 18th, and examined witnesses
concerning the political condition of the
South. Gen. Reuben E. Davis, of Missis-
sippi, testified that he was a candidate for
Congress in the late election from the First
District. He had been informed privately
Of threats to prevent him from being heard.
The idea prevailed that he was e~ndeavoring
to reorganize the negroes in opposition to
the Democrats. After the election, he
heard be had been hung in efigy,
and then burned. He was a
Greenback candidate, having been
nominated by that party in opposition to
his " wishes, and was voted for by
coIored people who understood their in
terests on that question. He was defeated.
Senator Garland called the attention of
witness to his testimony before the Bout
well Committee in 1876.
The witness said he Endorsed every word
he then uttered. He had said the Radicals
were bulldozers and they operated on negroes
by superstition, threatening to put snakes
and lizards into them. The Democrats
now are obnoxious in what he then
said of the Radicals. A white man could
notvote in the South against the Democracy
without being estracised. But l dread the
assassin's knife more than 1 do ostracism.
He believed the great majority of his dis
trict was against ~bull-dozing and ballot-box
stufflng; but there was a class of ambitious,
aspiring men, who sought to render all per-
sons odious who do not adopt their views.
He claimed by fair count he could have
beaten Colonel Muldrow, his opponent, by
ten thousand votes.
Vim. H. Vasser, a native of Virginia, but
living at Aberdeen, Miss, since 1914, test.
fed that he was baptized in the old Whie
party, and since the war was elected on the
Alcorn ticket State Treasurer. In the late
election he supported the Greenback ticket
At Oklahoma a political meeting was very
boisterous. Two-thirds of the crowd seemed
drunk. While at West Point he was called
upon for a talk. He was charged with
making a Radical speech. He hat
put his speech in print. The crowd cam,
in and one person demanded what he wal
reading. He felt satisfied it was a BULLDOG
ing crowd. A good many white peopl,
supported Davis.
Senator Cameron, of Wisconsin-Wha
do you call a Radical speech? A. Wha
you call a Republican speech, they woul,
call a Radical and insurrectionary one
Everything is called Radical in Mississippi
that is not Democratic. The man VIII,
makes such a speech is considered a pest
and if the speaker is a man of ability, he i
considered a dangerous pest. A man
social and business relations are affected b,
his political opinions.
Senators Teller and Garland, on the 18th
continued the inquiry into the Mississippi
election. J.H. Field, of Columbus, testifec
he did not know of a single instance of in
timidation or attempt,to prevent any on
from voting. The election was sought tt
be conducted in a pleasant way, in accord
ance with the principles of right and justice
though actively and theoretically. TIL
witness did not agree with General Davis
unfavorsble estimate of the negro. Thos,
of good conduct and ~intelligenc,
have the regard of the people generally
Senator Garland-Are your people will
ing to accord the black man all his. right
under the Constitution? A. 1 think the,
are with this modifcation-namely, tn
white people generally would dissuade tn
negro, by kind and concilatory means, iron
having anything to do with politics, Will
they would not exclude him from doing SO
1 think our people are against the limita
ton of Suffrage, or taking suffrage ava,
from them.
Senator Garland asked if Senators Kirk
wood and Teller should go to Mississippi
and make Republican speeches, how woul,
they be received and treated? A. 1 thinl
the people would warmly welcome them a
coming with an honest intent to investigat
the condition of affairs. Our people hav
e~ndeavored to induce the best class of Re
publicans to visit our section, that the loy
degradation in the condition of the colore,
people might be improved. Col. Muldroy
was elected, owing to his popularity. Tn
election was as peaceful as any he had be
fore witnessed, and he neither knew no
heard of complaints of intimidation o
ballot-box stufing.
Captain. W w. Humphreys te4siied tina
the late election was more peaceable an,
quiet than usual. Nobody was prevente,
from voting. He thought it as fair an,
honest al election as any in any of tn
States.
Witness added there was no disposition
to deprive the colored man of any of hi
rights, except, perhaps, on the part of a fey
extreme men. Freedom OF speech and o
the press was fully recognized in Missis
sippi, and any man could make a speed
there, provided it was not calculated t.
create a breach of the peace. He believe,
the principal reason people desired colore,
men to vote was the increased represents
ton in Congress.
The Chairman of the Teller committe
appointed as a subcommittee, Messrs
Hoar, Mcmillan, Kirkwood, Garland, an
Wallace, to inquire into the followin
branch OF the resolution of the Senate
namely: whether in the year 1878 none
was raised, by assessment or otherwise, upo
the Federal oficeholders or employees, fo
election purposes, and under what circun
stances, and by what means, and if so, wins
amount was so raised, and how same wa
expended; and further, whether such a
sessments were or were not in violation
law"
The committee then adjourned, subjee
to a call of the Chairman.
YLVth CONGRESS-Third Sass,op