Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-12
SIMS CROSS EXAMINED.
THE SIGNERS OF THE DANVILLE
CIRCULAR NOT A BAD LOT.

/
"POlitical Fanaticism" Their Worst
Fault in the Eyes of the yYftnessn-The
| COloneFs Methods In Politics as
Disclosed in One of His ''COnfidentIaI''
Letters.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE cross
examination of Col. w. E. Sims by Sena-
tor Vance in the Danville investigation
this morning was long one, but much OF
it was repetition and elaboration of
points already brought out
Col. Sims. in answer to a series of INQUIRIES.
described the circumstance under which he
became the candidate of the Readusters for
Congress. He was asked If he was not, up to
1882, candidate for political hOnors from the
! Conservative party. He said IN substance
that there had been times when he would
have accepted an Office at the hands OF that
party, but he had not taken the initiative in
securing the office. His friends asked him to
become candidate before che convention,
anu he had written a letter for publication,
setting forth his sentiments. He had no idea
that the convention would accept him az
their candidate, entertaining such sentiments.
SIMS AS WIRE FULLER.
Senator Vance produced and the witness
identified the following letter: ssCOnfldentfaI
Dear Clarke: write hurriedly TO remind
you that tomorrow is the day for Dan river
district to meet to appoint delegates at Shep-
herds store. Go down by all means and have
yourself and any Others you can influence ap-
pointed delegates to go to MartlnsYille on the
3lst. Dr.. Williams will be there, moving
heaven and earth for Cabell Get yourself
and men you can manage appointed il possi-
bic. Don't try to get all, but get as many as
you can. Try to have old man shelton an
pointed. have not tried to get delegate In
Dan river, but think yOu can work some in by
proper management. If Jack Clark is for me-
or against Cabell, get him to go to Brosville
to- morrow and work with Jim Collie and
other friends there, and if he is not for me
don't say word to him. The meetings are
advertised for O'Clock. You had better be
on hand sooner. Conceal your purposes as
far as possible. Yours truly,
W. Z. SINS.
SIMS CRITICISM
The witness said, by way of comment. that
he had known his opponents to do many mean
and dirty things but never before to get pos
session Of and publish a private letter
marked confidential. There was nothing in il,
however, winch he would conceal. In respect
30 acts OF violence threatened and peipetrated
by colOred men the witness possessed no
knowledge, except in two instances. In both
OF these he volunteered to prosecute the
offenders and did 50. In respect to the wit
ness Danville speech he admitted that he in
cidentally called them (the signers of the cir
cular) liars and incidentally called them
towards, but he did not apply these epitbets
to signers individually by name.
SIMS OPINION OF THE PETITIONS sIGNFRs.
The witness read over the names Of the sign
ers OF the Danvlle circular, and, with some
A majority were fairly honorable men in the
ordinary meaning OF the term but they
thought. in accordance with current sentf-
ment, that they were doing Gods service in
preventing the negro from voting If church,
men, this was part Of their creed. They would
even lie Tor political ends, doing evil that good
might come. These men were the eXponents
of the prevalent public sentiment They
thought great injustice was done them when
the vote was given TO cOlOred men,
SIMS CHARACTER.
Senator Vance asked if strong imputatiOns
had not been made against the witness own
character?
The witness replied that there was nothing
until he became Readjuster.
some discussion arose with regard to the
proprlety OF questioning the witness on this
point.
Senator Vance said that when his own wit
nesses were called 1t was probable that this
witness character would be attacked
The witness rejOined that all he wanted
was the privilege of questioning anyone who
brought charges against his personal char
acter.
BAD STATE OF AFFAIRS.
The witness said: Il don't assail the per-
sonal integrity or truthfulness of any man
have spoken Of here except in connection
with these matters; and, as tell you, / think
that the sentiment of those people there IL
that they are justilable in telling any mean
political ends"
Senator Vance-Well, you cannot describe a
much lower state Of society, if that is true
The witness: Il can't help that sir. .
Ihe witness admitted in reply to inuuiries
that he knew that some Of the men in the
crowd to whom his remarks would give Of
Tense were men of pluck. He did not how
ever. suppose that they would shoot anybody
else for what he said.
DANyILLE on SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4.
Speaking of the condition of affairs
in Danville Sunday, November 4 10
which the witness had referred in a note TO
the Governor. as follows: ''The town is in
control Of an armed mOb;" the witness said
that armed men were nOminaily in charge Of
the Town Sergeant, but some of the squads of
ponce were under command of the most ac-
tive Of the rioters of the day before
In answer to Senator Sherman, the witness
SAID tlat so far as he knew and believed not
one OF the signers Of the Danville circular
would tell lie for personal gain. They were
inspired by what might be called political
fanatlclsm. The witness regarded the sub
stltution OF false ballots for his own as highly
dlshonOrable, but he did not suppose that the
men who had done this thought il So This
ended the examination.
Mr.. ance asked Mr.. Sherman when he yVag
to be allowed to summon witnesses
Mr.. sherman said that he could not tell
The difficulty with regard to the appropriation
dld not arise from any indispOsitiOn to allow a
tull investigation, but because of the sentI-
ment In the House with regard to the pay
ment Of Senator's secretaries. The matter
would, he thought, be arranged by the COM
mttee within day or two.