Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-26
FROM WASHINGTON.
THE BALLOT TROUBLES.
Congressman Wise Proposes to Show
What the Trouble Was.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.
Congressman John S. Wise was the first
witness this morning in the Danville riot in-
vestigation. He stated the issues of the Vir-
ginia campaigns. beginning with the cam
paign of 1861. Wise exhibited numerous
the whites had brought on the trouble at
Danville for political purposes. having de-
spared of otherwise gaining their ends.
In the last campaign the witness asserted
tha- representative Bourbons had stated. in
his presence, repeatedly. until thev could re-
vive the issue. they could not hope 10 win
their contest. The race issue subsidized until
MAY, 1888, then Governor Cameron appoint
ed two colored men members of the school
board of Richmond.
The school children numbered 500 whites
to 5000 colored. The action was siezed as
q preteyt for reviving the race issue. The
witness submitted publications in support of
the statement from the Danville Times.
He read from the New York Sun of Satur-
day, extraste from documents said to be in
possession of the post Office department, stat
ing that Geo. F. BrotS gave . fee of several
hundred dollars TO E. j. Ellis for services in
securing the Star Route contract on the Don
oldson route. Mr.. Files entered his solemn
and unequivocated denial of the whole story.
Ellis of Louisiana, rising to a question of
privilege, sent to the clerks desk and read {:
The Mshonites band the negroes together,
and we only can conquer them by uniting
the whites against them. Coming to the last
election for legislature, the witness said that
the Bourbons were by q large majority in
favor of incorporating the color line in their
platform. He read and submitted editorials
in support of the statement Two democrats
of Lynchburg, the witness believed induced
the convention not TO incorporate it. Dan
vile and Pittsylvania were the most lswless
communities in the State. Pittsylvania
county and the adjoining county in North
Carolina were alike in this respect.
Senator Vance-That's a republican coun-
ty by large majority, sir.
Witness-Yes, and where is q republican
majority there will be bourborn shot guns.
Senator Vance-There will be large num-
bers of convictions to the penitentiary.
Witness-And crowds will go down before
the mouths of bourbon shot-guns.
Vance, don't know as there Is any need
for you to assail North Carolina here, sir.
Witness-I allude to these matters with
regret
Witness regarded the attempt to attribute
the state of excitement proceeding the riot to
Sims speech as subterfuge. The excitement
was due to the infiamatory publications and
efforts which he had described.
During cross examination by senator Vance
several sharp passages at arms occurred.
Witness avowed unalterable determination
to continue war on the bourbon party.
Mr.. Wise said he did not advocate social
intercourse between parties. No negroes
had ever presented claim to social privileges
by reason of political affiliation with him.
Colored members of the legislature came to
his house to consult him, but they came to
the kitchen. He did not suppose that Mrs.
Tilden admitted to her parlor the wharf-rats
and ribb-rabb of New York who voted DEM
Ocratic ticket.