The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-02-29
9itl,n,ond nispatel'
FRIDAY FEBRUARY %. 1884.
Tho Iuvestigatlon.


witnesses 20 testify against. the white peo-
pie Of Virginia that he found on Wednes-
day last that the appropriation made by
Congress for the purpose Of investigating
the Danville riot had been entirely ex-
hausted before single witness had been
called on behalf Of the defendants. The
prosecution spent all the money. leaving
not dime 10 be used on behalf OF the in-
nocent voters OF Virginia. The testimony
of large number OF ignorant negroes
such ~ Squire TAHAFERGo has been
taken, but the taxpayers have not been
accorded even one day In Mr.. sHERxAS's
court.
BY the way, how much weight would be
given TO the testimony OF Squire IA
rIApERRo and the rest OF SHERMAS's gang
of malignant negro partisans II II were
offered In civil suit in any northern city
The testimony OF any white Republican OF
high standing would outweigh that OF
hundred such negroes as number OF those
who have been summoned to Washington
10 aid in the manufacture Of capital to be
used by the Republican party in the APP
proaching presidential campaign.
The indifference which the northern
people have manifested in regard to the
bogns evidence that Mr.. SHERMAN has
evoked from bis comparisons goes to show
thai the Democrats would not have lost
ANYTHING II they had discussed the matter
In the Senate, and stated for themselves
and for the benefit Of the people OF the
whole country the facts OF the riot As 1t
Il only one side has been heard, and yet it
seems 10 be universally conceded that the
results OF the Investigation have made
upon the northern mind no impression
damaging to our people. There can, there
fore, hardly he doubt that had both sides
been fully heard in open Senate the matter
would have ended in miserable failure, as
indeed il NAV yet end.
We take 1t for granted that the House OF
Representatives will at once agree to the
resolution appropriating ten thousand dol
lars 10 this investigation, which resolution
has already been passed by the Senate.
How FAR ten thousand dollars will go to-
wards enabling the other side 70 bring out
the facts of the case we do not know.
Doubtless SHERMAN will endeavor TO ex-
pend as much Of the money as he can get
the committee to use for this purpose in
adding 10 the rigmarole OF testimony which
he mas already manufactured.
One Of the facts yet to be proved is that
General MALONE and his son are. 80 far as
is known, the only men who exhibited pis-
tolls at the polls in Virginia at the election
of November last. We trust that Mr..
VANCE will devote ut least one day TO the
proper development Of this fact.
The admission Of the testimony OF Mr..
JOIN S. WISE opens the door to the testi-
mony Of MIR. BARBOUR, Mr.. GEORGE ID.
WISE, Dir. MASSEY, Mr.. TUCKER, Dir,
O'FFRRALL, and Mr.. CABELL. Whatever
these gentlemen may state will be accepted
as true by the whole country. Ten thou
sand white Virginlans-honest, truth-lov'
ing. conscientious men-stand ready tc
bear willing testimony TO the fact that sc
far as they know and believe there was nc
purpose on the part Of the Democrats any
where In Virginia to intimidate the ne
groes or deter them from voting. Instead
OF expecting or being a party TO any In
timidation of negro veters, the whites
lived In constant dread Of being outvoted
by the negroes and the white men who
had formed an alliance with them. What
other reason could the white voters have
had for standing in line for more than two
hours and half In order TO secure an op.
portunity OF depositing their ballots? This
is what number Of white voters did In
this city. Nine clergymen voted at one
precinct In Richmond, nearly all OF whom
stood In lire from one hour to two and {
half before they cot chance to vote. In
stead OF expecting that their votes would
be rendered unnecessary by the intimida
ton Of the negroes. the white voters were
fearfully apprehensiye that the Mahoneite'
would carry the election.
What or who caused these apprehension
to be entertained by the Democrats? Thu
Mahoneites themselves did it. Up to ant
including the day Of election they boosted
that they would elect Coalition Legisla
ture. They proved, too, that they were IL
earnest by betting their money upon the re
suit. We would advise Mr.. VANCE to sum
mon Governor CAMERON. He was inter
viewed short time before the election
and confidently predicted that his part!
would carry the State. He certainly hal
no idea then that the negroes had been in
undated or were to be intimidated. AM
in his message TO the Legislature, penne'
II month after the election, there is not
word concerning intimidation.
"Truth is mighty and viii prevail
Let it he brought out. Let virginians b
forever relieved Of the charge Of havin
resorted 70 the shotgun policy in order
insure the success Of aparty.
Tho plandU Shirt