Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1884-05-28
ELECTION TROUBLES
Majority and Minority Reports in Re.
s gard to the Danyille and Copiah
County
Affairs Finally Submitted to the Senate
by the Committee Of Investi-
cation.
The Whole Scheme Merely to Make
Campaign Matter on the Part OF
the Republicans.
ELECTION TROUBLES

WASHINGTON, May 27.-The majority
report of the Senate Elections Committee
on the Danville riot declared it was pre-
meditated and preconcerted for the pur-
pose of raising the race issue and intimi /
dating negroes; that Democrats brought
On the riot and indorsed it after it had
occurred. Senator Lapham, who prepared
tie report, introduced some kilograms
which he claimed sustain the conclusion
that the riot was the deliberate work of
tie Democratic party.
The commission finds no evidence that
the negroes fired shot until after the
whites fired general volley, and that very
few had weapons of any kind. The ne
groes were of all ages and of both sexes,
gathered, unquestionably, from the coun-
try. The whites, on the contrary, were
generally armed. The fire bell was rung,
but not for fire. On the contrary, it was
a secret signal for the white military COM
p2ny. The whites came rapidly from all
directions, and arms were distributed to
those who had none from shops and stores.
The report concludes: "The object of the
Democrats in these efforts to raise a race
issue, to alarm the blacks and excite the
whites, was twofold-first, to intimidate
the colored voters in localities where they
were strong, as in Danville; and second,
but chiefly, to produce such frenzy of
feeling in the State as would induce the
white Republicans to join with own race
to escape the contumely and reproach to
which they would otherwise be subjected
for fraternizing politically with 'niggers.'
1t was made to appear that the blacks
were the offenders, when in truth
the white Democrats were mob in posses
sion of the town, and no negro dared to
make his appearance on the streets. The
occurrence was one which caused rejoic-
mat of DannprQtIa
recommendations made in the Copiah re-
port that the basis of representation shall
be reduced when the right to vote is
denied or abridged in State, are adopted
as part of this report.
80 THE MINORITY REPORT
on the Copiah investigation dissents en-
| tirely from the statements and conclusions
contained in the report Of the majority,
and presents their views of affairs, formed
| from the testimony of reputable and
| creditable witnesses examined by the
| commission. They express the opinion
that the investigation was originated and
| conducted for the purpose of aiding the
| Republicans in the approaching Presi-
dental canvass by reviving stories of out
rage and crime, which were so effectually
used in former political campaigns, and
| perhaps to furnish an excuse, if necessary,
for rejecting the vote of Mississippi in the
electoral college, and thereby defeat
ing, as was done in 1876, the
clearly expressed will of the American
people in the choice of Pre- sident. 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 investi-
cations were conceived and brought forth.
They say the majority report evidently
| ignored and purposely disregarded the
| sworn testimony of the most intelligent,
! trustworthy and reliable citizens of Copiah
| county, and gave full credence and belief
to the statements of persons some of
whom were shown to be destitute of char
acter for yeracity, and Others apparently
/ to Ignorant to understand and regard the
| obligation of the oath taken by them.
| The report states that the people of Copiah
| county are law abiding, and that the num-
| ber of crimes and violations of law in that
| county are less in number and less aggra-
| waited in character than in many
portions of New England and
other Northern States that boast
Of their educational advantages and su-
perior civilization. They analyze the testi-
mony before the commission to show that
| the crimes Investigated were not political
crimes. With regard to the killing of
| Matthews, the minority quote from the
testimony to show that it resulted from a
general quarrel between Matthews and
Wheeler about politics, and that Wheeler
was acquitted on the plea of self-defense.
OF Matthews, they say he carried arms
upon his person, and was regarded by
many as ready, even eager, for fray. He
was just such person as would be likely
to come into collision with others, sooner
or later, that would end seriously, If not
fatally. In regard to the investigation
proposed by the majority at the next cleo
ton in Mississippi, the minority say 1t is a
threat to disfranchise the people of the
State of Mississippi in the coming Presi-
Dental election, made with view
to deter the citizens of the State
from casting the electoral vote con-
trary to the parte in power, and
that a more fragrant attempt to bulldoze
the entire State by threatening to dis
franchise its people and destroy its auton-
omy cannot be found in the annals OF
constitutional government. In conclu-
sion, the minority say the duty, OF the
undersigned is perhaps discharged by ex-
posing the animus OF the resolution, but
they feel justified in saying they little un-
derstand the spirit or temper of the Ameri-
can people to suppose that 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 soldiers around this capital will
prevent the installation in the Presidential
office of the man elevated to that position
by the votes OF his countrymen. The re
proach brought upon our system Of
government by the occurrences which
PLACED in the Chief Executive 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 that they will tolerate for mo-
ment suggestion Of their repetition, and
the minority can but express their sur
prise at the temerity that volunteers, how.
ever covertly, to avow a purpose SO de.
J structive to the hopes and honor of the
country.
. The report is signed by Senators Vance
: Salisbury, Pugh and Jonas.