Daily Republican., 1881-04-28
FRAUD ANDINTIMIDATION.
The Astounding Array OF Incl.
dents.

A special despatch from Columbia, s,
G., says:
The examination of witnesses in the
Fifth Congressional District, in the
election contest between Il. Smalls,
Republican, and G.. ID, Tillman, Demo
crat has been closed. The evidence
presents an astounding array of incl
dents of Democratic fraud, intimida-
ton and violence. Many new facts
were brought to light which will put
the false utterances of Southern Scna-
tors, who deny the existence Of said
evils, ia II still stronger light.
The testimony ELECTED from trust
worthy witnesses, and, for the most
part, uncontradicted on the Bourbon
side, shows that at Edgetield Court
house nearly 1000 cOlOred Republicans
were not allowed to vote. AT John
stones, in the same county, between
400 and 800 of the same class Of voters
were not permitted to deposit their bal
lots; IL colored man was also killed at
this poll, and no efforts have been made
by the State to bring the murdererS TO
Justice. At Aiken Court, piece ofartil-
iery, loaded with grape-shot by W. w.
Willams-the Judge of Probate was
planted in the street facing the poll
| The Palmetto GuardS-a militia compa-
lny-kept their arms at Town Hall,
and twice assembled in the street armed
to prevent Republicans from voting,
and when even the fear of being shot
did not deter % few from entering be-
hind the barricade erected in front OF
the poll to deposit their ballots they
paid for their temerity by having cay
enne pepper thrown i'll Their eyes
those who protested against this bar
harity were threatened with arrest for
| melting riot. Democratic lawcsSneSs
rcigned supreme at every poll in this
county, and very few Republican votes
were polled. At Butord's Bridge,
Barnwell county, band of armed men
drove about 400 colored Republicans
from the poll, and n Confederate flag
was hoistcd over the precinct. At Bar.
ker's and several other precincts armed
men prevented Republicans from vot-
ing. In Hampton county, near Beacl
Branch, nine armed Democrats way
laid the three COlored men who
bad the Republican tickets for that
vicinity, and compelled them to deliver
them up at the mouth Of the pistol. In
Collection county the Commissioner, ot
Election refused to count tn" vote, of
Jacksonboro--a large Republican pre-
riuct-because the box was full at !
O'Clock, and the managers closed the
poll. At mmerville-another kcpllh-
iican Str0nghold-the poll was not
opened ut all. At the "ltidge' the vote
heavily Republican, was thrown out
because the managers procured a second
box, as the first could not hold all the
tickets.
These are few of the leading points
of the testimony, all property aitested
under oath, and they show ronclu-
Sivclv that Mr.. Tillmau is not entitled
to the certificate of election issued to
him. Mr.. SmallS states that he found
it very difficult 10 p'ocure legal assist
2uce on account Of the social O,traciSm
threatened any one who would ad him
He believes and has been told that Till
man has no hopes of retaining his seat,
and that he places his sole trust upon Il
sufficiently strong Democratic minority
in the next House, which VIII ataNc on
the consideration OF the contest UhNI
the end of the session. He gave a most
distressing statement of the depIorab,e
condition Of the colorcd people in his
district, who, he asserts, are suffering
under Il worse state of slavery than
before the war. "a white man. hr
said, would then protect his niggcrs
against illtreatmcnt from others : but
they no longer rnjoy this protection,
and they are ';ttcrIy cowel and dcjec>-
ed "