Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-05-07
THE COPIAH INVESTIGATION.
The Report Of the Committee Submitted
10 the Senate,

10 the senate.
WASHINGTON, May 6,-The report of the
Senate Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tons in relation TO the Copiah branch of
the investigations, which that committee
has been making, bearing the signatures
OF five Republican members of the COM
mittee, was laid before the Ssnate this
afternoon. The Democratic members of
the committee will make a minority re-
port. The report saws: "The committee
entered upon its task with almost mex
pressible repugnance. Nothing could
be more Justly odious than to
use such Investigations and disclosures
as partisan instruments, unless it be to
profit by or screen the crimes which are
Investigated. But the rights invaded
we're the rights declared by the national
constitution, and which the national Con-
greSs was bound 20 secure by anpro-
pirate legislation against infringement or
violation by any State. II the powers al
ready conferred upon Congress by the
constitution were not ample for their pro-
lection, it would become their duty to
propose further powers, that the blessings
OF liberty and equal protection and the
right &c vote without molestation
might be exercised and enjoyed by all
The committee then reviewed the
NSoNAAuVAS Vi AAAF dlACkCu OutEdStS III
Ccpiah county. From the facts presented
them, they conclude a conspiracy, organ
lied by representative young Democrats,
with the countensnce of that party in
Copiah was entered into to drive their op-
ponents from the polls. To that end
mob was gathered, systematic outrages
perpetrsted, ending in murder, one of the
victims being a wealthy and generally re-
spected white mar. During the whole
time these outrages were going on
the Democratic State and county
officers remained passive, and thus
allowed the election to be turned into
mOckery." In conclusion the report says
the committee had not time to 20 into the
investigation of the security of constitu-
uonal rights in Mississippi. 1t can only
refer to the evidence of witnesses who
think Copiah favorable specimen of the
counties in that State, to documentary
matter brought to our attention, to evil
dence taken by the Senate committee in
1876, TO the testimony in election cases in
the House of Representatives, to numer
Gus declarations of the Democratic press,
and to crimes well known and unpunish-
ed, such as the murder of Chisholm, of
Dixon, of Foote, United States collector
of internal revenue, and three others,
in Yazoo, whose blood stained hand Co
piah is so eager TO grasp. No legislation
dealing with Mississippi alone should be
enacted without an investigation which
should cover all parts Of the State. Before
such an investigation a national election
will have taken place, at which the tenn
per and respect for the law of the people
of Mississippi will undoubtedly be made
fully manifest. If the constitu-
ton has not power enough in
its arsenal for the protection of all
rights il confers or recognizes, the people,
on being satisfied of the fact, will confer
others Each house of Congress is i'm
peratively required by its duty to refuse
seats to persons where their election is
directly or indirectly due to crime, either
of violence or fraud. The committee
recommended the publication, for the use
of the American people, OF the testimony
taken. They further recommended the
passage of Senate bill No. 10, which
is designed to furnish a remedy for some
OF the evils disclosed. They further
recommend that after the next election in
Mississippi, unless the same be unques
tionsbly lair and free, there shall be full
investigation of the condition of things in
that State, with view to determining the
question whether a republican govern,
nent exists there, and whether it is en-
titled to its existing representation or ha:
forfeited it in whole or part by reason o.
the denial or infringement of the right tc
vote OF any of its people. The question
of further legislation the committee re-
serves for further consideration.