New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-23
THE REBEL DASH FOR POWER
INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN.

rnoM Trxss--GooD oMENs IN THE NORTH FOR
REPUBLICANS.
Amos i. Bissell, of Texas, who made a
speech at Republican mass meeting last
spring, in which he referred to the Outragcs
committed on Republicans in that State, has
had TO come North to save his life. 1t appears
from his story that in Texas no Repub-
Gcan is allowed TO enjoy free speech.
The tidiugs received from the North are
full of good omens for a defeat OF
the party which is now making
desperate effort to conquer control OF
the Government Mr.. s. X. Mason believes that
many Greenbackers will join the Republicans
this year. Indiana is now considered to be
Republican by 5000 majority.
DEMOCRATIC VIOLENCE IN TEXAS.
expERIENCE OF AMOS L. BIssEiL- UNITED STATES
INSPECTOR OF CUSTOMS AT vELAsCo-WHY HE
HAD TO FLEE FOR HIS LIFE
Amos +. Blsscll. United States Inspector of Gus
IONS at Velasco Texas. is now in this city, making
arrangements to remove his family here at the
earliest opportunity. lie obliged to flee from
his comfortable home in Texas. and leave behind
b,ma sick wife and child, because his life was in
danger on account of his Repub can principles.
Mr. Bissel" said a TRIBUNE reporter to him,
Il learn that your experience as Government OFF,
ser III Texas has been a severe one. Will you give
NE some facts about it ~
MY position the present time is delicate one"
was the reply and for that reason-but 1t can
make no difference in the end. will tell you l
vent to Texas three yeqr ago for the beneht of my
wife's health. Remaining there year, engaged In
no business and with nearly everybody opposed to
me in nay efforts to obtain employment, apparently
because | was Northerner, / finally obtained the
appointment as United States Inspector OF Customs
along the Gulf, between the BrazOs and San Bernard
Rivers. As as | assumed the duties was Tor
may asked by several prominent citizens regarding
NV politics. uphesltatingy told them that was
Republican, / then Informed. with some ehl-
phas!s that if wanted to stay there might better
say nothing about my politics. publicly or privately.
freouently had my called to the fact that
no Republican wonld be permitted TO give express
ZION to his views"
THE FIRST VIOLENCE.
"Wcre you ever treated with violence because of
your Political rroclivities |"
"Not until after gave expression to them In
public meeting at Brazona, Brazora County. on
Nav 8. At a Republican mass-meeting held there
was called upon 10 address the assembly. directed
the attention of the people to the Ourages cont
mtted upon some residents by class OF men who
claimed TO he their friends. | referred TO the fact
that they had elected a man as assessor who
claimed to be Republican. but who i'll reality was
one of the most prominent members of the Demo-
cratic party in the county. He made great and
unrghteOus distinction IN assessments upon prop
eriy. OF rebels and Democrats he would assess
lands at One-fouTth their actual value, while III
and White Repuhlicans lands would be assessed at
two and three hundred per cent above their value
also referred to the mater of education, saying
that while the white children of the county were
proyded with the best of schools and good Teachers
the coored children III many parts OF the county
were entirely neglected, ex-convicts from the
ha been appointed
he following day, as was ABOUT 10 return 10
my home in Veiasco, was met ana surronnaeu py
Dr. Aschcm, vino has already killed f0ur men, Dut
in everW case has been acquitted by rebei or Demo
manded from me what meant by coming TO Bra
zoria and firing the peoplo With a RepuphcIn
sneech: he did not propose that anv Yankee shonid
come into Texas aud take any part III pollticS ttat
had bett er return nome and stay there, and lhat IL
ever came back to Brazorla woGid De sem aIter
samtee tSantee was formerly a Cicrh 0l tno County
Court and killed by band OF ku-hiuX as ne
was leaving his office shortly after MS eiectioh
Finally. after making many other threats re to,u
me that If ever came back would DC Fllled. As
WAS about to mount my hOrse 70 proceed on my
iournev AschOm called TO the ruffians with lm ana
told them that If tney would put rope ABOUT my
neck he would fasten il 70 the pommel OF bis sau-
ole and jerk the - Yankees mead OF with that
black stallion then mounted my morse ana speeu
ily rode homeward. Several weeks aiter thls was
waited upon by committee; headed Dy joel
Bayan one of the richest sugar-plantes III the cOun
ty. who demanded an explanation OF my hePuph, Oh
can speech Brazoria. 1 was informed at .nG
same time by the committee that IL a,einp'eu
70 ,Sat '"He eountV. fVs would forget to wake
up some morning and would follow Santee.
About two weeks after received this pleasant IN
formaiton received a warning from Mr. Clrte, an,
other wealthy planter III the county. lie INFORMED
the tnat Dr. AschOm had told INN that pian @ nau
been arranged to take my life, and tnat the DOCTOR
wcud not do il, but would be forty miles away
wneu il was done. On the night OF June 2s friend
same to me and told me there was band OF twenty,
dive men organized TO come TO my house at the dead
If night a.d take me ont ana hang. me- In me
eveot of failure to get me out one ol Tue nanipe @
While on the line of my dutles aiong tle Ouil.
There is one place there where there are no signs Oh
habitat .o for a distance II seven miles, ana therc
fore ts project could easily have been carried out
one to witness tne deed NY irene Irieno en-
treaea me b. leave the country without deiay IL
wished 10 save my lie.
HIS FLIGHT TO GALVESTON.
The following day / took passage on the schooner
Orole to Galveston where | reported the facts TO
Governor Peasc Collector OF the port lie felerreu
me to Colonel j. X. Buns Assistant United states
Dstrict-Attornev, before whom laid the facts. lie
hal the persons arrested ana brought To Galveston
tor trial. A hearing had before United states
Commissioner Spann, who, by the way, Is Deino-
srat and the prisoners were bound over for trial
before the United States District Court, whch
meets in Galveston in November. After the hear,
ing told by several friends that my llfe Wouiu
D. IN danger should remain in any part OF texas; '
for was a prIncipal witness and my enemies Wouiu
not lose opportunity to XIII me- wa, tneretore tin
compel ed to give up my position ana leave hy eioA
wife and child and flee the country.
OTHKR CASES OF VIOLENCE.
What other cases. similar TO yours, have come
under your Observable on 7"
There Is the case of Santee. Shortly aiter
went 10 Texas Mr. Santee q native of Chester
County Penn. vino, at the time of being mustered
out of the Federal service in 1868, was IN lexas'
AID remained there was nominated as Clerk OF the
County Court of Brazoria. He was warned Dy an
anonymous letter at the time that IT he concluded
70 run for the Office and elected, he wouid nol