The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-06-18
Ceniah COnHty Jnstice.

Nobody, we presume, is surprised of
the verdict of the jury which acquitted
L. b. Wheeler of the murder OF j. I.
Matthews at the polls in Copiah
County, Mississippi, on election day
last November II was evident from
the beginning that the 'triar' was to
be farcical pretense, the conclusion OF
which had been predetermined. 1t was
simply n burlesque upon the admins
tration of Justice, and an insultnot only
to the family of the dead man but to
the conscience OF the Nation. The
crime committed by Wheeler was en-
acted in broad daylight, witnessed by
considerable number of persons, openly
avowed by the offender, and the whole
community recognized him as the per-
petrator. In short, there was no secret
about it, no attempt at concealment.
1t had confessedly no justification what
ever except the fact that Matthews pre-
sumed to exercise his rights as citizen
TO vote, after having been forbidden TO
do so by an irresponsible body of Bour-
bon Democrats, which, in anticipation
of his disobedience had appointed
Wheeler as his contingent eXecutioner.
1t was not asserted, even, that
Matthews had done, or intended to do,
anything unlawful. He soug hit TO in
terfere with no mans rights or privi-
leges, and demanded only that his own
should be respected, but made no exhi-
bition of turbulence by way of self
vindication. He merely went to the
polls and voted, and was instantly shot
dead in the presence of the election Off
GERS and other persons standing about.
1t was business-like performance
which excited no surprise on the part
of the Bourbon Democrats present, and
no excitement followed. The corpse
was removed and the voting proceeded,
all on one side Of course, until the time
arrived for closing tho polls. Wheeler,
the murderer, stayed around, shotgun
in hand, entirely unconcerned He
finally told the Coroner what be had
done, and that official considerably de-
termined to sspare the county the ex-
pense of an inquest, insomuch as moth
ing could be learned in regard to the
case beyond what everybody knew.
Later on a public meeting of Bourbon
Democrats was held and duly set the
seal of its approval upon the deed.
Nothing more was deemed necessary.
The "best citizens" of Copiah County
had spoken, and that was enough. But
to their utter amazement, people out
side of Copiah County, outside Of Mis-
sissippi, beyond the confines of the
chivalrous South, even north of the Ma
son and Dixon line, began to talk.
Newspapers not serving as Democratic
organs had something TO say in con-
domination. Finally the matter came
TO be noticed in the Senate OF the United
States, and committee was appointed
by that body to investigate this occur
renee which the "best citizens" Of Co
piah County supposed they had dis
posed Of completely and satisfactorily.
A report was made by n majority OF
the committee in contrayention Of
prevailing Copiah County sentiment.
Then 1t was concluded that perhaps
there should'be the form of n judicial
trial, in order TO meet the absurd de-
mands Of public opinion in other CON-
munities. An indictment was found by
the Grand Jury, n court was convened
with petit jury carefully packed for
the occasion, witnesses who did not
want TO testify were ordered into the
custody Of the Copiah County Sheriff,
and by him allowed to take themselves
away to parts unknown, and the "trial''
went on--resulting as already stated.
OF course, the ''best citizens" OF Co.
piah Countywill now expect the coun-
try TO be satisfied. Hasn't Wheeler
been tried by q jury of his peers AID &C.
quittedP What more can be asked:
is pot tho Civilization Of Copiah County
Naturalization (M " Zines.
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