The Aberdeen examiner., 1884-06-12
Minority Esep0rt OF she CODiGh
ARses1tgaGiOH.


ABsesltgaEfOA.
WAsH1NaroN, May 27.-The min
ority report on the Copiah investiga-
ton dissents entirely from the state
ments, and conclusions contained in
the report Of the majority, and pre-
sents their own view Of affairs, formed
from the testimony of respectable and
creditable witnesses examined by the
committee. They express the opin-
ion that the investigation was origi-
mated and conducted for tho purpose
of aiding the Republicans in the
approaching presidential canvass by
renewing stories Of outrage and crime
which were so etfeetually used in for
mer political campaigns, and perhaps
to furnish the excuse, if necessary, for
rejecting the vote OF Mississippi in the
Electoral College, and thereby de-
teating, as was done in 1873, the
clearly expressed will of the Ameri-
can people in the choice Of Presi-
dent.
They refer to the Eliza Pinkston
story, and ask who believes it to-day,
and assert that this and other such
tales, having lost their potency, the
Danville and Copiah Investigations
were conceived and brought forth.
They say that the majority report evil
IDENTITY ignored and purposely disre-
garded the sworn testimony Of the
most intelligent trustworthy and re-
liable citizens Of Copiah county, and
gave full oredance and belief to the
statements Of persons, some Of whom
were shown to be destitute Of charac-
ter for veraciry, aud others apparent
ly too ignorant TO understand and re-
gard the obligation ofthe oaths takon
by them.
The report states that the people of
Copiah county are law abiding, and
that the number Of crimes aud viola
tions of the law committed nv The
white people III that county are less
In number and less aggravated in
character than in many portion of
New England and other Northern
States that boast their educational
advantages aud superior civilization.
They analyzed the testimony before
the committee to show that the crime
investigated were not political
crimes.
With regard to the killing Of Mat
thews, the minority quote from the
testimony to show that it resulted
from personal quarrel between Mat
thews and Wheeler about politics,and
Wheeler was acquitted on a plea of
self-defense. OF Matthews they say he
carried arms upon his person and was
by many as ready and even eager for
the fray. He was just such a person
as would be likely to come into col
lision with others, sooner or later, that
would end seriously, if not fatally.
In regard to the investigation pro-
posed by the majority, of the next
election in Mississippi, the minority
says it Is threat to disfranchise the
people of the State of Mississippi in
the coming presidential olection,mado
with view to deterring the citizens
of that State from casting its electoral
vote contrary to the party in power,
and that g more fragrant attempt to
bulldoze an entire State by threaten
ing to disfranchige its people ana des.
troy its autonomy, cannot be found in
the annals Of constitutional govern
ment.
In conclusion the minority says:
"Tbe duty Of tho undersigned is per
haps discharged by exposing the ami.
mus Of the recommendation, but they
feel justified in saying they little un-
derstand the spirit Or temper Of the
American people who suppose they
will again submit to the defeat of
their will in the choice Of President,
as was the case in 1877. Neither an
electoral commission nor armed SOL
diers around this Capitol will prevent
the installation in the presidential
office of the man elevated to that posi-
tion by the votes Of his oouutrymon.
The reproach brought upon our sys-
tenn Of government by tho occurreu.
oes which placed III the Chief Execu-
tive office Of the Government man
who had been defeated at the polls is
too keenly felt by the people Of the
country to justify the belief chat they
will tolerate for a moment sugges-
ton ftheir repetition, and the min
ority can but express their surprise at !
the temerity that volunteers, however
oovertly, to a VOW purpose 50 des-
tructive to the hopes and honor ofthe
country"
The report is signed by Messr5.
Salisbury, Vance, Pugh and Jonas