New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-29
THE ONLY ELECTION MURDER IN MISSIS'
SIPPL

, SINGLE CRIME DIABoLICAL ENOUGH TO ANSWER
TIE PURPOSE OF THE BOURBON DEMOCRACY.
To the EDITOR Of the Tribune.
SIR: The election passed off last Tuesday, 1t
"a said with only one killing" in the State but that
nkiung was sufficiently diabocal TO make up for the
want of many ordinary political murders IN most OF
the counties there only one ticke-hence no neces
sity for the Democracy to resort to their put
there was strong opposition In number OF inc eauIhS
COMMITTEES and In most OF them the Bourbon Democracy
were defeated.
Copqh county has since the war; been closely con-
tested county, going and then for each party At
this election the opposition put out an excellent ticket
which was supported by many white men, who had
heretofore voted the Democratic ticket consequently the
opposition was confident of 1t was generally
conceded that there were too many white
at each voting place supporting the ticket to allow
the Democrats stuff and count out the opposition
candidates-hence the necessity the part Of the De-
moeracy of adopting adiferent plan.
The day before the election twenty more men
rode ND TO Matthew's gate and called for him. lie
fused to come out when two of their number dmounted
and went into his house and there informed him that he
must either leave the county for hours or re-
main at home the next day and not vote lie replied
that he was a lawabidng citizen, entitled to vote was
spportng as good the county afforded, and con-
sequently intended exercise his right the next day
NEXT morning Matthews concluded that he would 20
early and vote and then return TO his home. Hence lie
got TO the voting place few moments before the box
was opened As he came up u the 'front.' OF me house
Wheeler, the man who a few moments hterwaId dehD
sbook hands With him. and said: Print 60 home and
don't to-day" Matthews and he stepped aside, as
II 10 have private talk, Matthews heard 10 say
u am going 10 vote if IL costs me my life" They part
cd Matthews going toward the voting place with ticket
in hand. When at the place he handed the proper 0ncer
his ticket and then turned around To 90 home. when
Wheeler. with whom he had Just been talking hied on
him, sending between twelve and twenty buckhot In his
face and head. Thus pcrpeted one OF the coolest
other state. Mr.. Matthews old citizen perhaps
anatiye-Of Copiah county lie was genial G0pam on
and kind ncighbOr, of energy aud good Judgment
aud consequently man OF means lie had opposed INC
Democracy since the war; and, being brave and decdei
and outsSen was the eGOg1eG n scI oa e
more, terms OF Copah county and even the Democracy
eaine up all right" lie had been for years. and at
the time Of his murder United States Deputy Revenue
helped financially many OF his county, thus giving
him an influence with many Of The whites, especially
understood why he was especially obnoxious TO- the
should be quoted on election day. Immediately after
the assassination, am told runners were sent to every
voting place In the county TO tell of Matthew's death
thus deluoralizug the negTOescausing many home
without voting and making 1t an easy matter to control
those who remained. The plan worked intended and
the county is announced as going 1000 majority for the
am Missssippian by birth and in every impulse Of
true lover Of his State made for four years good
would prefer the people my State prosperous
and cOntented lawabiding aud law-enfOrcng than Ia
sec any party Ut OF men succeed 10 ONCE, anu
would cheerfully any ticket with any party
would Likely bring about the desired results While
such my feelings. am free TO admit that my honest
Judgment is that 1t would be great calamity 20 OuI
state for the Democracy TO get control of both Federal
aud State governments. great change in the past
eighteen months has come people. Many, bOth
syate citizens aud those who have taken greater
ss interest In politics. and who have voted the Demo
cratic ticket desire changes aud would to-day be ol
the South that the Democratic party will have easy
walkoyer at the Presidential election next year. If to
day IL generally thought that the Republicans would
be successful next year, majority Of the white people OF
State would be OutsOken In opposition To the rulers
In power; and II the Republicans year elect
their President and Congress- you will
election the following year. the candidates the DemOc
tacy hurled from power and the State turned Il
better and more progressive men. CHIcKAsAw.
Meridian Mas, Nov. II. 1883.