Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-02-21
The Teller Committee,
WASHINGTON, Fet

WASHINGTON, Feb. II.
The Committee examined Gen. Reuben E.
Davis, of Mississippi. He testified that he
was candidate for Congress in the late cleo
tion from the First District; was informed
privately of threats to prevent him from being
heard; the idea prevailed that he was en-
deavoring to reorganize the negroes In oppo-
sition to the Democracy; after the election
he heard he had been hung in efigy and then
burned; was Greenback candidate and was
nominated in opposition to his own wishes, and
was voted for By the colored people, who un-
derstood their interests on that question; was
at first informed that he had been elected, but
was afterward told that Muldrow was success
full. Senator Garland called the attention Of
witness to his testimony before the Boutwell,
Committee in 1876. The witness said he en-
dorsed every word he then uttered; had said
the Radicals were bull-dozers, and the oper-
ated upon the negroes by superstition, threat
ening to put snakes and lizards into them;
Democrats now are obnoxious to what he then
said of the Radicals; white man could
not vote in the South against the Democracy
without being ostracised, but he dreaded the
assassin's knife more than he did ostracism;
believed a great majority Of his district was
against bull-doZing and ballot-boX stuffing but
there was a class of ambitious, aspiring
men who sought to render all persons odious
who do not adopt their views; witness claimed
that by a fair count he could have beat
en- Colonel Muldrow by 10000 votes.
William H. Vassar, a native of Virginia, but
living in Mississippi since 1874, testified that
he attended political meeting at West Point
during the campaign and was called upon for
talk; was charged with making a Radical
speech; explained that everything is called
Radical in Mississippi that is not Democratic;
a mans social and business relations are af-
fected by his political opinions. Witness said
that the middle-aged and men advanced in
life there are moderate and respectful to all
citizens; confusion and boisterOus and Illegal
conduct are confined to younger men, the
politics of that State being largely governed
by young men. Witness further stated that
the Republican party in that State was vir-
tually dead, and that Northern people coming
into the State were looked upon as intruders.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 13.
Senators Teller and Garland continued the
inquiry into the Mississippi election. j. II.
Field, of Columbus, testified that he did not
know single instance of intimidation or an
attempt to prevent any one from voting; the
election was sought to be conducted in a
pleasant way in accordance with the princi-
pies of right and justice, though actively and
energetically; witness did not agree with Gen
eTal Davis unfavorable estimate of the negro;
those of good conduct and intelligence have
the regard OF the people generally; witness
said that their people endeayOred to iu-
duce the best class of Republicans to visit
their section that the low degradation In the
condition of the colored people might be i'm
proved. capt. w. w. humphreys LesLlneu
that the late election was more peaceable and
quiet than usual; nobody was prevented from
voting; thought it as fair aud honest an cleo
tion as any in any of the States; that there
was no disposition to deprive the colored man
Of his rights except, perhaps, on the part OF
few extreme men; freedom OF speech and OF
the press was fully recognized in Mississippi,
and any man could make speech there pro
vided it was not calculated to create breach
OF the peace. ..
The Chairman of the committee appointed
as a subcommittee, Senators Hoar, Mcmillan,
Kirkwood, Garland and Wallace, to inquire
into the following branch of the resolution of
the Senate, namely; whether in the year
1878, money was raised by assessments or 9TH
erwise upon Federal oftice-holders, or em-
ployes for election purposes, and under what
circumstances and by what means, and. II so,
what amount was so raised and how the same
was expended; and further, whether such as
easements were not in violation of laws" The
committee then adjourned next meeting sub
ject to call Of the chairman.