The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-26
SOUTHERN oUTRAGEs.
Tse Danrille Enyea,iga,ien.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25-Congressman John
s, Wise was the first witness this morning in
the Danville riot investigation. He stated the
issues of Virginia campaigns beginning with
that Of 1881. Mr.. Wise exhibited numerous
documents and said he proposed to show that
the whites had brought ON the riot at Danville
Tor political purpose, because they despaired
olherWiee Of winning their contest. In the
last campaign the witness asserted that repre-
sentative Bourbons had stated In his presence
repeatedly, that until they could revive the
race issue they could not hope to win their
contest. The race issue subsidized until May,
1883, then Gov. Cameron appointed two color
ed men members OF the school board OF Rich
moDd. The school children numbered 1900
whites to 5000 colorsd. This action was seized
upon as pretext for revivipg the race Issue.
Inc witness submitted publication In sup
port OF bis Statement. From the Dsnville
Times he read, "The Mahonites band the
negroes together and we can only conquer by
uniting the whites against them" The wit
Hess said, coming TO the last election for the
legislature, the Bourbous were by a 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 Lynehburg, the witness believed.
indnced the convention not TO incorporate it in
the platform.
One Of the latter displaced black teacher
Tor whipping @ white pupil. Danville and
Pittsylvania were the most lawless com muni
ties in Virginia. Pittsylvania county and the
adjoining county in North Carolina were alike
in this.
Senator Vance That's Republican county
BY large majority. sir.
Witness-Yes, aud where there is Repub-
lican majority there will be Bourbon shotguns.
Senator Yancs-There will be large num-
N ~, hn
WiSness--And crowds will go down before
the mouths Of Bourbon shotguns.
Senator Vanoe--I don't know as there is any
necessity for you to assail North Carolina here,
SIR
Witness-I alude to these matters with
tribute the state of excitement preceding the
riot to Syms' speech as subterfuge. The ex-
element was due to infiammatory publications
and efforts which he had described.
During his cross-examination by Senator
Vance several sharp passages at arms occurred.
to continue war upon the Bourbon party.
Mr.. Wise said that he did not advocate
social intercourse between the races. No
negroes had ever presumed to claim social
privileges by reason of political affiliations
with him. Colored members of the legislature
came to his house to consult him, but they al
ways came to the kitchen. He did not suppose
Mr.. Tilden admitted TO his parlor the wharf
rats and riff raft of New York who voted the
Democratic ticket.
Thc Mississippf NLurders-Testimony Of
Csgiah Ceuasy Democrats.
NEW ORLEANs, Feb. 25.-The Senate COM
mittee investigating the election outrsges in
Copiah county Miss, to-day examined several
witnesses called by the Democrats Judge L.
T. Wharton Of the 9th judicial district testified
that on Friday night preceding the election
Print Mathews said that Thompson with arm
ed men had murdered innocent, inofensive
men the week before, and that another party
would leave town on similar marauding ex-
pedition. asked for their names saying that
l would issue writ and have every one ar
rested. He said the sheriM would probably
ind some excuse for refusing to execute the
writ; that the attention OF the grand Jury had
been called to the matter but they had taken
no act on and that there was conspiracy TO
murder his political frionds, himself and
family. "When my two sons left for Oxford
College q few weeks ago." he said, 81 took
their hands and with tears In my eyes, said,
MY sons do not know how soon you may be
summoned home to avenge the assassination
OF your father They replied we are ready
to obey the summons" Matthews said that
four of his uncles had been killed, but their
deaths had been avenged. There were four
ment whom he wanted to kill, then be would
never again lay his head upon his pillow, but
being outlawed would declare war against the
Judge T. e. Cooper OF the Supreme Court
Of Mississippi testified that he formerly resided
at Hsgslhurst. "In 1885, he said, 81 heard
that Matthews had made threats against the
lives Of myself and Judge Hayes. was then
chairman and Hayes was a member of the
state executive Democratic committee.
asked Matthews about it. He said he under
stood that We wanted to kill him and that he
had decided that il killed his death should be
avenged. That his will provided that If he
should be killed $4,000 should be used in
securing asssssins TO avenge him." Witness
considered the people of Copiah county orderly
and law abiding as general rule.
e. G. Wall, commissioner of emigration, tes
titled that be never saw j. p. Matthews bat
once; was introduced to him one evening by
Mr.. johnson. johnson asked Matthews how
he could consistently support Col. King for
governor, against whom he had published such
violent circular. Matthews replied that the
circular was all lie; that King was all right
now; that at that lime he (Matthews) had SOC
organised men in Copiah county, and had got
ten out The circular for the purpose of aggre-
vating King, then leading Democrat, and
his party to violence, when, Matthews SAID,
"We intended to kill every white man, woman
and child in Oopiah county"