The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-03-06
THE DANvILLE RIOT.
FURTHER PROGRESS OF THE
INvEsTIGArroN.
"n''e 'oa'iiionists and Republicans on the
"'ness-stand-A Conflict OF Opinion Be-
tween Senators sherman and Vance rs TO
the Line OF Inquiry.
TBy telegraph TO the Dispatch. J

Wytheville (Va.l Enterprise Of Monday,
November 5, 1883 (the day before the cleo
: tom. The headlines were as follows
The Bloody Negro Riot in Danville-An
Immense Mass-Meeting in Richmond Held
sunday Evening" Malone Responsible for
the Bloodshed- White Men Of Virginia
Urged to be True 10 Their Own Race in
the Race Conflict which Malone has
Brought About" The body OF the circu-
lar was dispatch from Richmond embody-
ing series Of resolutions adopted at IN
"enormous meeting OF white citizens
setting forth that the conflict had been
brought on at Danville for the purpose Of
creating race issue. 4 telegram from
DanyiIle was appended TO the circular, as
follows "If you only knew our suffering
here on account OF negro rule you would
vote different. We are standing in our
doors with guns protecting our families.
Post this up ut the courthouse door.
(Signed] L. n. Robertson
Witness said this was an effort on the
part OF the Democratic party to reduce the
issue 10 the question, "Are you q Niger,
or are you white man." Witness had
never seen such an intensity OF feeling
since the firing on Fort Sumter as was Gre
ated bv the circulars and reports put out
by the Democrats.
Mr.. Vance protested against the admis-
sion OF evidence OF this Characteristic cir
culation OF fly circulars and political re-
ports. where he asked. "is Il to
end: We are certainly entitled to reply,
and can 90 all over Virginia to pick up
such matters
Mr.. Sherman said his theory was first to
prove the riot, and then TO bring ont such
matters as had bearing upon the subject
OF depriving the negro OF his right 10 vote.
| Witness, continuing, said in answer 10
questions by Mr.. Lapham that the effect Of
the circulars and reports was to conSOli-
date the negroes in support OF the Re-
adiusterS. Witness was stationed at the
polls during the day OF the election. and
considered his life in danger. 1t was his
duty to challenge votes which he con-
sidered illegal. The Democrats had
taken possession OF the windows
through which the challenging must be
done. Witness was forced to stand be-
hind the Democrats and challenge over
their shoulders. Every challenge gave
rise to much abuse on the part OF the
| Democrats. A line Of wagons loaded
with white Democrats, shrieking and yell
| ing, drove up, bearing a banner emilia
Zoned with the names OF the Democratic
nominees" the white mems candidates."
Speeches were made by Democrats in
which assertions were made that Malone
| had appealed TO the negroes to stand to-
gether, and TO aveDge the shooting OF their
| fellows, and that Malone had stolen the
pOllng-boOks OF one precinct because 1t
was Democratic precinct. Witness was
publicly insulted, and two or three times
assaulted, on electiOn-day. On one Occa-
sion he was rescued by Democratic OFF,
ciaIs, who did their duty, but had great
difficulty IN doing it.
On cross-examination by Senator Vance
witness said that Readjuster circulars were
current in his neighborhood before the
election. One was explanatory OF COali-
ton rule in Danville, and was even de-
mandatory. The negroes were more nearly
q unit than the whites. There was no harm
in the effort to consolidate the whites il
only legitimate means were used. II the
negroes were banded together against the
whites because per Sc they were whites,
there would be no objection to n union Of
the whites against the negroes because they
were negroes. As matter OF fact, the ne
groes were banded together because OF the
unwilliagness OF the whites to allow the
negroes to vote. The pOll-taX law and
whIpping-post were measures calculated to
deprive negroes OF their votes.
In the redirect examination Senator Lap
ham submitted for Identification a copy OF
the Staunton (Va.) Vindicat0r extra issued
the day before the election, containing a
statement Of the riot, together with the
Richmond resolutions.
w. S. Gravely, white Readiuster, Of
MartinsviIle, Henry county, forty-two
miles from Danville, was called. He saw
the Danville circular, "Coahtion Rule"
ten DAYS before the election. The effect OF
the circular was shown by remarks Of
white men who had before that time been
Readjusters. They said the debt question
was settled, and the party was now becom-
ing a negro party, and obnoxious in con-
sequence. They could no longer vote the
Readjuster ticket. lie heard OF the riot
on the day OF its occurrence. II was the
only subject Of conversation on cleo
ton day.
W.O Austin (white Republican,, OF Pu-
laskl county, Va, 10 miles from Danville,
first saw the Danvillc circular Wednesday
evening before the election, in Carroll
county, Va. He learned when he reached
home that large package Of circulars had
been received in Pulaski county and were
being distributed there. The effect was
10 drive considerable number OF white
votes from the Coalition to the Democratic
party. II also caused number Of COali-
ton voters to stay at home. At witnesses
own precinct thirteen voters had been in
fuenced TO change from one to the other
party by this circular Witness heard OF
the Danville riot on Sunday morning, No
vember 4th. The reports OF the riot had
the effect to drive weak-kneed Coiltlonists
TO the Democratic party.
+. w. Barksdale (white), deputy marshal
OF Martinsvlle, Henry county. Va, forty
miles from Danville, was called. He mad
lived in Danville "off and on" for ten
wears. The last canvass was the most eX-
citing and violent he ever saw. Witness
was in Danville about the LIST Of October,
and was told by Democratic acquaintance
(Mr. church, that it was time to change his
politics; there was going to be the biggest
row in the world, and it was going to
start right at headquarters-th custom
house.
Colonel William Il. Sims was the next
witness. He does not hear perfectly, and
for this reason 1t was determined not to
examine him orally. Interrogatories will
be prepared to be answered by witness at
IL O'Clock tomorrow, to which hour the
committee, at 1880 o'clock, adjourned.
Sims Is the only witness TO be examined
until the House acts upon the resolution
making appropriations for further expenses
OF the Investigation.
| u.dictc,euas Against a LOTTERY Mann.