New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-07-24
THE SPIRIT OF THE SOUTH.

- = OF HANCOCK.
10 tie Edtfor OF The Tribune. 81
SIN: Daring all the while the struggle by the
Republicans in the Southern States gong on for
the retention of power which, according to numbers
riehtfuly belonged to them. all the reports OF out
RACES perpetrated on them were denounced as " Rad
zeal lies by Democrats, both North and South, and
in this they were too often joined by the Republican
press of the North. The result OF this was the
loss of SIX States that Republican beyond
question.
IL the evidences then submitted of outrages failed
to convince the North of their truth the task
would now be hopeless 1t is sufficient for
us here TO know that these reports were true and
the result of the work then accomplished by the
Democrats bids fair now to place the loyal North
under the control of the Rebel States. The in
crease of representation by the REIMBURSEMENT
of the negro and his control in the years past by the
means then complained of. has accomplished, or
is about TO accomplish, this result
Many Republicans in the South regard this result
as sort of retributve justice. visited on the North
for their cowardly desertion of the weak and help
less race that they had placed in antagonsm to the
powerful white race of the South
The means used get control of these States have
been abandoned by the Democrats, aud they now
point with seeming pride to the peace and quiet
that regus in the South. and is the best evil
10 govern this country The reason of this peace
and quiet is that they have organized oppo-
bition, and there is longer any occasion
for ouirages. Since getting control OF this
State they have changed the election laws
DO that they may perpetrate frauds with impunity;
and they overcome majOrties of 10000 to $4,000
ss easily they count IN one of their own num-
Der when fairly elected.
As an evidence Of this. look at the WITH Congress
sional District of Alabama 1t has $4,000 Republi-
ran majority, yet a Democrat, Charles NJ. Shelley,
represents that district. They also carry or count
In their men in the County Of Dallas. with Re
publican majority of 5000 All Of this they de-
nounce " Radical lies"
There are still a few counties in Alabama where
the Republicans succeeded in carrying the elections
In 1874 and 1876 and in getting sufficient fairness
of count to be declared elected but in these couu-
ties the Democrats have legIslated them out of
office in almost every instance where the COnsttu-
ton did not prevent it and in almost every
county carried by the Republicans in 1874
and 1876 they have by legislation taken
from Republicans nearly all the political
or ministerial duties whereby fair election might
be promoted or Republicans protected. In Republi-
can counties they have after the election of Repub
licans substituted by legislation the appointing pow
er of their Governor for the will OF the people, and
placed over them men who had been defeated by the
people at the polls, to perform the duties that the
people had intrusted to Others In counties where
the Republicans have carried the elections, the gov
eminent is not Republican in form.
This statement VIII doubtless be denounced a
- Radical lie y; but the evidence which propose
TO submit this statement to the people of the North
is with two or three exceptions, the acts of the
Democratic LEGISLATURE of Alabama, which ought TO
be good evidence against them.
Section /. Of Article u, of the Consttu-
tion of 1868, in force in 1874. when the
Democrats got possession of the State provided for
an officer known Commissioner of Industrial Re-
sources, who held his office for the term of four
Sears- At the election of 1872 the Republicans
elected this officer, whose salary had been since
1865 So. 500 year. On pages 263 and 264 of the
acts of the Democratic Legislature of 1S74-'75 is
an act reducing the salary of this Office to $500 and
compelling the officer to reside at the capital of the
State. This was because the Commissioner was a
Republican holding The Office could not be
abolished because it a constitutional Office.
BY act of the Legislature of 1872, criminal
courts for the Counties Of Dallas and Bullock We're
established. Judges of these courts were at the
November election in 1874 chosen for the term of
six years Both of them Republicans. On
page 215 of the acts of 1S74-'75 is an act abolish
Ing the Court of Dallas County. and on page 22O
OF acts 1S74|75 is an act abolishing the Court of
Bullock County. Thus the people were deprived of
their night to choose their officials.
On page 3S7, Acts 1876. is Act to Estab-
lsh the City Court of Selma, in Dallas County.
This court had the same jurisdiction and powers
gwen it that the court abolished the year before,
and the Act of 1S7576 confers upon the Governor
the power to appoint the Judge of the City Court,
and a Democrat is now Judge of that court. OF
this Judge and his action shall hereafter have
something to say perhaps.
By Section GAG. Code of 1876, which has been the
law for twenty years, it is provided that
four Comfy Commissioners shall be by the
people elected, and by section 739 that
they hold their offices for three years.
Sections 745 and FAC make this court a court of
original jurisdiction Of roads, ferries, ETC., it has
contro Of the property of the county evies the tax
for county purposes, and audits all claims against
the county and orders their payment. The pay of
the Commissioners Is SO per day and cents per
mile travelled to and from the court They hold four
regular terms year. and they seldom in session
more than twenty days during any one year. On
page 3d. Acts of 1S74l75, is act
hbolishing the Commissioner Court OF Mont
nomery County and establishing board
bf Revenue for the county, with all the powers of
the Court of County Commissioners, and allowing
them to appoint clerk with salary Of 81 900 per
hnnum. OF the Courts OF County Commissioners
the Probate Judge of each county is ex-officiO q
member pres dent and clerk of the Board for which
be receives ony 81 per day while the court is in
session.
On page 379 Acts of 1876. is act to abolish
che Court of County Commissioners Of Lowndes
County. On page 3s1, same book, is an act to
abolish the Court of County Commissioners of Dali
las County. On pages 3S3 and 385. Acts of 1876
Is an act establishing Boards of Revenue for these
two counties Of Lowndes aud Dallas. with all the
powers of the Court of County Commissioners
On page 156, Acts Of 1907. is act to abolish
the Court of County Commissioners of Wilcox
County. On page 157 is an Act to establish a
Board Of Revenue for Wilcox County.