Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-25
A BRIEF INTERVIEW WITH EX-
GOVERNOR WALKER.
The Courts of the National Govern
Ilent Machines of Oppression.

Editor Morning Nescs few days ago as
we TOOK a seat in the passenger coach that
runs from the junction at Drifton up to Monti-
cello, Florida, we found that next to US at
that able and pure man, Ex-Governor D. S.
Walker.
as the little engine seemed determined to
enjoy its exclusive privilege of running that
road, and not to waste its valuable time by
failing to use it, we took an easy position and
said: Governor, what is the political outlook?
In grand way, all his own, he said: II think
the country might be at peace. There are no
great national questions to divide us and if
inaugural addresses did not mean SO little now
a-dags would feel encouraged
~ hat about the late disturbances in Flori-
da, Governcr?"
They are much to be regretted. 1t is a sad
thing for the people to regard the courts of the
NetIonal Government as machines for their op-
preston"
What is the remedy - we asked.
"BilOg the courts home to the people," said
the grand old gentleman, as conscientious pat
rlotlSm beamed from his expressive eyes
Let United States Commissioners be- appoint
ed Tor every community. and the regular
terms of the courts be held al the three places
IN the state provided by law; let the people
see aud hear the trials and if parties are gull
ty their neighbors will charge it TO them and
not TO the courts. AS it is done now, " he con-
ILnu6d. a man In Middle or West Florida is
peaceably pursuing his business. An ig-
nOrant negro swears out a warrant for
him for some supposed offense,
aud instead CT having a cOmmittal trial at
home, or by indictment at Pensacola or Talla-
haSSee, he is carried to Jacksonville ana is
then, to all purposes, in strange land. No
witnesses, no bondsmen, no attorney that he
knows true, il he is rich he can take them all
with him. otherwise he must go to Jail, though
never so innocent
Il know a man whose reputation and gene
raj demeanor is that of a most inoffensive
citizen, who told me he had paid out eight
hundred dollars travelling with himself and
witnesses to and from Jacksonville to answer
a charge for which he hes never been tried.
and perhaps will never be; but his money Is
gone and he and his neighbors charge it to the
unfair administration of the United States
laws
with what was he charged, Governor?"
81 do not know in what shape they brought
it, but the facts as he gave them we're that he
went somewhere about his premises and pick
ed up an axe that he found lying in the weather
and put it away"
"WeIlT'
well, it was election day. Some negroes
got into a row near by about this time, and
though he took no part whatever he was seen
to pick up his axe and"
I've flushed the sentence for him and said,
of course somebody was inundated
The little engine has made its four miles,
the hotel drummers are upon us, and the Gov
cigar, after dinner, by second-Story window,
and looked out upon the land of blue lakes and
orange blossoms, it occurred to us that if
indeed the President desires to grow a crop of
peace and prosperity" where the seeds of
strife and discontent now are bearing their
profitable thought in Governor Walkers timely
suggestions. A..