Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-08
sHERMAN,s INVESTIGATIONS.
The Republican Members of the Com
mittee submit a Minority Report.

The Republican Members of the Com
mittee submit Majority Report.
WASHINGTON, May 6.-The report of
the Senate Committee on Privileges and
Elections, in relation to the Copiah branch
of the investigations, which that commit
tee has been making, bearing the sigma
lures of the five Republican members of
the committee, was laid before the Senate
this afternoon. The Democratic members
of the committee will make a minority
repot. The report of the majority which
is very long, says:
The committee entered upon Its task with
almost ineXpressible repugnance. NotAng
could be more justly odious than to use such
Investigations and disclosures as partisan in
struments, unless il be to profit by il or
screen the crimes which are investigated,
but the rights invaded were rights declared
| by the national constitution and which the
national Congress was bound TO secure by APP
| proprlate legislation against infringement or
violation by any state. If the powers already
conferred upon Congress by the constitution
were not ample for their protection II would
become our duty 10 propose the granting Of
further powers, that the blessings OF liberty
and equal protection of the laws and the right
| to vote without distinction OF race or color
might not fail through the neglect OF any
State IN its duty.
CONSPIRACY CHARGED.
After a long argument, affirming the
| necessity for the investigation and re-
view Of the testimony taken, the report
says that from the facts presented to them
they conclude that a conspiracy organized
| by representative young Democrats, with
the cOuntenance of that party, in Copiah,
was entered into to drive their opponents
from the polls. To that end a mob was
I Gathered "a
ted, ending in murder, one of the victims
! being wealthy and generally respected
White man. During the whole time that
these Outrages were going on the Demo-
cratic State and county officers remained
! passive, and thus allowed the election TO
De turned into mOckery. In conclusion
the report SAYS:
The committee had not time TO 90 into an
investigation OF the security OF cOnStltu-
tional rights in Mississippi. Ii can only refer
TO the evidence Of witnesses who think COpiah
a favorable specimen of the counties of that
state; TO the documentary matter brought to
our attention; to the evidence taken by the
senate Committee in 1876; 10 the testimony in
the election cases IN the House OF Representa-
| tives: to numerous de clarations of the Demo-
cratic press, and crimes well known and I'M
| punished, such las the murders of the Chishllms,
OF Dixon, OF FOote, United states Collector of
Internal Revenue, and three others in YaZOO,
whose blOod-stained hand COpiah is SO eager
TO grasp.
THE WHOLE STATE on THE GRIDDLE.
No legislation dealing with Mississippi alone
| should be enacted without an Investigation
| which should cover all parts of the state. Be
lore such an investigation national election
VIII have taken place, at which the temper
and respect for the law of the people of Missis-
slppl VIII undoubtedly be made fully mani
| Test. 1t Is asked sometimes with a tone OF
eNultatiOn and defiance what remedy we can
propose for these things. Unqueslionably so
long as any considerable political party shall
deem 1t Tor its interest to coCntenance such
crimes, the remedy Will be attended with
ulncuity, but they little understand the spirit
OF the age. the temper of the American people
| or the power OF education and freedom who
peileFe th&t these things can long endure
when held up to daylight. The communities
that perpetuate them cannot long withstand
the adherence and indignation Of the country.
| The power Of the moral sense humankind or the
sting which belongs to the consciousness Of
having violated ii, which Webster TO years
ago deemed strong enough to turn the scep-
tore winch Turkish oppression held over pros
iIdte Greece 10 ashes In the grasp of the ty-
rant. viii not long fail of full effect upon
the people Of an American State. 1t is notice
aOle with what care the events OF the election
OF 1888 have been kept from the newspapers
| The sensitlveness Of most of the Democratic
witnesses, who were above the level Of mere
| rufianism, to their condition showed itself
through their tone Of bravado and defiance.
ADDITIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL POWERS.
II the constitution has not powers enough
IN its arsenal for the protection of all the
rights II cOnfers or recognizes, the people,
on being satisfied of the fact,s will confer
others. The great prizes for which these
crimes were Committed can be kept from the
grasp OF those who commit them by the eXer-
ton OF an unquestiOned constitutional
authority Each House OF Congress
is lmperatiYely required by its duty 10
refuse seats TO persons whose election is
directly or indirectly due to crime, either Of
violence or fraud.
The committee recommended the publ
cation for the use of the American people
OF the testimony they have taken. They
further recommended the passage of Sem
ate bill No. 10. which is designed to fur
nish remedy for some of the evils which
are disclosed. They further recommend
that after the next election in Mississippi,
unless the same shall be unquestiOnably
fair and free, there shall be a full investi-
cation Of the condition Of things in that
State, with a view to determining the
question whether a Republican Govern
ment exists there, and whether it is emit
tied TO its existing representation, or has
forfeited 1t in whole or in part by reason
Of denial or infringement of the right to
vote Of any portion of its people.
The question of submitting to the SEN
ate further legislation, and of the neces-
sity of comforting new powers on Congress
by an amendment to the constitution to
afford further protection to the rights of
majority Of the voters Of Mississippi, the
committee reserves for further cOnsidera-
ton.