St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-05-28
DANVILLE AND COPlAH.
A Majority Report ON the Former and
a Minority Report on the Latter.
The Reports Show That It's all Owing to the
Position from which you see the Matter.

WASHINGTON, May 27.-The majority of the
senate election committee on. the Danville riot,
declares it was premeditated and preconcerted
for the purpose of raising the race inssue and
intimidating the negroes. That the Democrats
prearranged the riots and endorsed, it after it
had occurred. Senator Lapham, who
prepared the report, introduced
some kilograms which he claimed sustained the
conclusion that the riot was the deliberate work
of the Democratic party. The committe finds no
evidence that the negroes fred shot until after
the whites fired general volley, and that very
few had weapons of any kind The negroes were
of all ages and both sexes, gathered unquestion-
ably from curiosity the whites, on the contrary.
were generally armed. The fire bells were rung,
but not for a fire. On the contrary, it was the
secret signal for white military company. The
whites came rapidly from all directions, and arms
were distributed to those who had none from the
shops and stores The report concludes, the OBJ
iect of the Democrats in their efforts to raise
race issue, to alarm the blacks and eX
cite the whites, was two-fold: First, to
intimidate the colored voters in localities
where they were strong, as in Danyille. Second
chiefly to produce such frenzy of feeling in
the state as would induce the white electors to
join with their own race, and escape the re-
jected, 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 possession of the town, and no
negro dared to make his appearance on the
streets. The occurrence was one which caused
rejoicing instead of regret among the Democrats.
The recommendations made In the copy of the
report that the basis of representation be
duced when the right to vote is denied or
abridged in any state, are adopted as part of this
report.
The minority report ON the Copiah investiga-
tion dissents entirely from the statements and
conclusions contained in the report OF the major
ty, and presents their own view of the affairs
formed from the testimony of reputable and
credible witnesses examined by the corr aittee.
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 revving the stories of outrage
and crime which were effectually used i'll for
mcr political campaigns, and perhaps to furnish
excuse, if necessary, for rejecting the vote of
Mississippi in the electoral college, and thereby
defeating, as was done in 1876, the clearly ex
pressed will of the American people in .the
choice of president. 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 Danyille and Copiah
Investigations were conceived and brought
forth. They say the majority report
eViuenIly lSHoTeu anu purposely ulsreSdrueu bue
sworn testimony of the most intelligent, trust
worthy and reliable citizens of Copiah county,
and gave full credence and belief to the state
ment of persons, some of whom were shown to
be destitute of character for veracty and others
apparently too ignorant to understand and re-
gard the obligation of the oaths taken by them.
The report states the people of Copiah county
are law abiding and that the number of crimes
and violations of the law committed by the white
people in that country, are less in number and
less aggravated in character, than in many por-
tions of New England and other northern states
that boast of their educational advantages and
superior civilization. They analyze the testimony
before the committee to show that the crimes in
vestigated were not political crimes. With re-
gard to the killing of Matthews, the minority
quote from the testimony to show that
it resulted from personal quarrel
between Matthews and Wheeler about politics.
and that Wheeler was acquitted on the plea of
self-defense. OF Matthews, they say, she car
ried Grms upon his person and was regarded by
many as ready, even eager, for fray. He was
Just such person would be likely to come in
to collision with others sooner or later, that
would end seriously if not fatally" In regard
to the investigation proposed by the majority of
the next election in Mississippi, the minority
say it is threat to disfranchise the people of the
state of Mississippi in the coming presidential
election, made with view to deterring the citi-
zens of that state from casting its electoral vote
fragrant and abhorrent attempt to bulldoze an
entire state by threatening to disfranchlse its
people and destroy its autonomy cannot,be found
in the annals of constitutional government In
conclusion, the minority say: ''The duty of the
undersigned is perhaps discharged by
exposing the animus of recommen-
dation but they feel justified in say
ing they little understand the spirit or temper of
theAmerican people, who suppose they will again
submit to the defeat of their will in the choice of
president, was the case in 1877. Neither an
| electoral commission, armed soldiers around
this capital will prevent the installation in the
presidential office of the man elevated to that po-
sition by the votes of his countrymen. The re-
proach brought upon system of government
| by the occurrences which placed in chief execu-
tive office who had been defeated at the
| polls, is too keenly felt by the people of the
country to justify belief that they will tolerate
for momenta suggestion of their repetition, and
the minority can but express their surprise at the
! temerity that volunteers, however covertly. to
avow purpose SO destructive to the hopes and
honor of the country The report is signed by
Senators Vance, Salisbury, Pugh and Jenes.