The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-04

the delta unless based on a cottoa tax
credit.
The Gull and Ship Island railroad
bill has been a hard nut for the legis-
latoTs to crack. II seeks TO transfer
the State convicts TO the Haid com
pany for a term Of years Tor SI5,OOO
of the company's bonds. There has
been much discussion OF the matter,
but il passed the House by a consider
able majority, and It is hoped Will
pass the Senate. The convicts should
be placed upon the public works in
the State, both railroad and levees.
The proposed railroad will develop a
large section of the State now untra-
versed by railTc ads, create and increase
taxable values, and add much TO the
material advantage of the State. Col.
Faulkner, who controls the Ripley
narrow-gauge road, in the northern
part OF the State, has put his road In
the pool, aud that inBures success.
A vigorous effort was made by Nc
Gruder, member from Vicksburg, to
abolish the State Railroad Commits
sion, in an able speech, but the House
would not follow him. He denounced
the theory OF the commission as a
despotic espionage upon the rights OF
individuals and corporations. The
Railroad Commission is safe for an
other term at least. Another matter
Of public concern before the House
the past week was the report Of the
special committee upon q charge OF
forgery against W. l.. Lowe, a negro,
and one OF the members from Bolivar
county. The resolution Of expulsion,
upon the report OF the committee ind
ing the charge proven, was voted
down, aud the House has thus set up
g standard OF public morality II will
be hard to explain or justify.
Another matter OF much interest in
the early part Of last week was the
contested election case OF Robert L.
Duncan Va. W. l.. Lowe, from Bolivar
county. The contestant commended
that the violation of the election laws,
as shown over the entire country by
the Republican fusion ticket, mani
tested a fraudulent intent, which over
came the prima facie presumption in
favor Of the certificate and shifted the
burden OF proof upon the c~ontestee TO
show bis vote. H. @. MeCabe, mem
Der from Warren county, ably opposed
for the contet tee that such Irregular.
ties would not vitiate an election and
there was no fraud. The contestant
was permitted, by the courtesy OF the
House, TO present his own case, and 1t
was q grand effort. For several hours
during part Of the morning and night
sessions Of Tuesday-in an argument
Of unsurpassed power aud eloquence,
the contestant commanded the uni
versal attention OF the House. 1t was
pronounced a mastery effort, one OF
the best ever made In the hall OF the
House OF Representatives, and the
warm congratulations extended az
tested the appreciation Of his audience.
But even such an argument on the law
and the facts could not induce a ma
iority OF the House 10 peep behind the
returns, though in this instance the
Democratic OK was being "gored." II
would be setting a bad precedent!
BAH Who can say now that the Mis-
sissippi House OF Representatives is
not for the "nigger? ?" A fifteenth
amendment for the white IA is now
in order in the State OF Mississippi,
and in the House, at least, he is as
good as a negro" II the white man
behaves himself.
There are too many candidates for
Congress in the House.
The latter part OF the week was par
tiCularly lively on the outside OF the
capitol. 1t seems that Maj. Frank
Burkett Of Chickasaw county, men,
Der OF the House, had said in his
paper, the Chickasdw Messenger, that II
certain facts brought cut by the SEN
ate Committee on the PenitentiRry al
fected an opposition Governor he
would be imps ached, and that the
present House had not the moral
courage to impeach Gov. Lowry. On
Saturday, as Burkett was leaving the
House, Pat Lowry, son OF and private
secretary to the Governor, denounced
Burkett as a liar, etc, w~hereupon he
was violently assaulted by Burkett,
when they were separated. In the
afternoon Robert Lowry, IT,, posted
Burkett as q liar and coward, ETC.
and informed him that he was ready,
willing and awaiting" to defend his
poster. The young men were bound
over to keep the peace, and so the
matter ended, and it Is hoped will
stay ended. Gov. Lowry heretofore
has borne q fine character, and the
proof will have to be strong OF any
corruption on his part to command
belief. 1t is commendable, Of course,
for his sons to wish to resent an In
suit offered their father, but he is q
public character, aud Of course Ia
subject to criticism. More anon.
TENNESSEE.