National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-03-12
THE DANvILLE MURDERS.
Col. Sims Again on the stond--His Cross
Examination.

Examination.
Tho cross-examination of Col. w. Il. Sims
by Senator Vance, in the Danville investiga-
ton yesterday, was a long one, but much of
it was q repetition and elaboration Of points
already brought out. Col Sims, in answer to
u series of inquiries, described the circum-
stances under which he became q candidate
of tho readjusters for congress. Ho was asked
If he was not, up to 1882, a candidate for po-
ltical honors from the conservative party.
He said in substance that there had been
times when he would have accepted office at
the hands of that party, but he had not taken
tho initiative in securing office. His friends
asked him to become a candidate before the
convention, and he. had written letter for
publication setting forth his sentiments. He
had no idea that the COW enton would accept
him as their candidate, entertaining such sem
timents. Senator Vance produced and tho
witness identified tho following letter:
CONFIDENTIAL
"DEAR CLARK: l write hurriedly to remind you
that tomorrow is the day for Dan river district to
meet TO appoint delegates at Shepherds store. Go
down by all means and have yourself and any
others you can influence appointed dslegates e
be there moving heaven and earth for Cabel. Get
yourself and men you can manage appointed If
you can Try to have Old man Shelton appointed.
have not tried to get delegate in Dan river. but
think y9g can can work some in by proper m9 T
get him to go to Brossyille tomorrow and work
with Jim Collie and other friends there, aud II he
is not for me don't say word 10 him. The meet.
ings are advertised for O'Clock. You had better
be on hand sooner Conceal your purposes as far
as possible. Yours truly, w. Il. SINS
Witness said by way of comment that he
had known his opponents to do many mean
and dirty things, but never before to get
possession of and publish private letter
marked confidential. There was nothing in
| it, however, which he would conceal.
In respect to acts of violence threatened
and perpetrated by colored men, witness
possessed no knowledge except in two in
stances. In both of these he volunteered to
prosecute the offenders, and did so.
Witness read over the names of the signers
of the Danville circular, and, with some
hesitation, gave his opinion of those he
knew. The ajorty were fairly honorable
men in the ordinary moaning of the term
but they thought, in accordance with current
sentiment, that they were doing Gods
service in preventing negro from voting.
| If churchmen, this was part of their creed.
| They would even lie for political ends, doing
evil that good might come. These men were
| opponents of prevalent public sentiment.
| They thought a great injustice was done
| them when the vote was given to the colored
| men.
Senator Vance asked If strong imputations
had not been made against witnesses own
character.
NlUncSS replleu uDuU Uncro was mourning un-
til he became q read uster Some discussion
arose with regard to the propriety Of question
ing witness on this point. Senator Vance
said that when his own witnesses were called
it was probable this witness character would
be attacked. Witness rejoined that all he
wanted was the privilege of questioning any.
one who brought charges against his personal
character.
Witness said: al don't assail the per-
sonal integrity or truthfulness of any man l
have spoken of here, except in connection
with these political matters, and as tell you,
/ think the sentiment of those people there Is
that they are justifablc in telling any man
lie or doing any mean, dirty little thing for
political ends"
Senator Vance. Well you cannot describe
much lower state of society, if that is true.
Witness. | can't help that. sir.
Witness admitted in reply TO inquiries that
he knew some of the men in the crowd to
whom his remarks would give oifensc were
men of pluck. He did not, however, suppose
they would shoot any body else for what he
said.
Speaking of the condition of affairs in
Danville on Sunday November 4, to which
witness had referred in u note to tho gov
ernor as follows: THE town is in the con-
troll of an armed moi" witness said that the
armed men were nominally in charge of the
town sergeant. But some of the squads of
police were under the command of the most
active of the rioters Of tho day before"
In answer to Senator Sherman, witness said
that SO far as he knew and believed, not one
of the signers of the Danville circular would
tell lie for personal gam. They were in
spired by what might be called political
fanaticism. Witness regarded tho substitu-
ton of false ballots for his own as highly dis
honorable, but he did not suppose tho men
who had done this thought it so.
This ended the examination.
Senator Vance asked Senator Sherman
when he was to be allowed to summon wit
nesses. Senator sherman said that he could
not tell. The difficulty with regard to the
appropriation did not arise from any indis-
position to allow n full investigation, but be.
cause of a sentiment in the house with regard
to the payment of senator's secretaries. The
matter would, he thought, be arranged by
tho conference committee within a day or
two.