The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-13
Senator Chandler Brings Up His
Resolution to Investigate It.
The Senators from Mississippi Do
Not Oppose the Resolution.
Mr.. George Defends the People for
the Action They Had to Take.
The People Were Called by the Out
rageous Conduct of the City Gov
ernnlent. and Were Compelled
to Eliminate II.

WAsuINGroY, Jan. 12.--In the Senate
Mr.. Vest, from the committee on COM
merce, reported bills authorizing the con-
struction of bridge across the Columbia
river at Dalles City, Ore, and railroad
bridge across the Wichita river in
Arkansas. Placed on the calendar. Also
bill authorizing the construction of a
railroad bridge across the Missouri river
at some accessible point in st. Charles
-.county, No., below the city OF st, Charles
He asked immediate consideration for this
bill The bill was read and passed.
Mr.. Dawes, from the committee on
Indian affairs, reported bills authorizing
the appointment of a superintendent of
Indian schools, and authorizing the sale OF
timber on lands OF the Menomoneo Indians
in Wisconsin. Calendar.
The resolution offered by Mr.. Chandler,
on January 10, instructing the committee
on judiciary TO inquire into the suppress
sion OF the votes of the colored citizens of
Jackson, Miss, at the recent municipal
election in that city, and in the alleged
participation in such suppression by the
United States district attorney, deputy
collector OF internal revenue, and n
deputy United States marshal, was
taken uD, and Mr.. Chandler addressed
the Senate in explanation and support of
il. lie said he had communications from
Jackson asking for such an investigation,
and asserting that the facts stated could be
proved by the testimony OF the best men
OF both political parties. He had not, in
the resolution, provided for power TO send
for persons and papers because he ap-
pretended that the facts would be all
found on file in the department Of justice.
II that, however, should not prove 10 be
80, he would desire 10 have power given
10 make n complete investigation. lie
sent TO the clerks desk, and had read sew
eral letters and telegmms received by him;
also manifesto, which, he said, displayed
: at its head couple Of pistols, couple OF
shotguns and powder-flask. In IL the
young men Of Jackson announced their
ultimatum."
II declared that, having seen one Of
their number hellishly murdered in the
dark by a negro bully, set on by negro
policeman OF negro-cursed city, that cor
rupt, radical negro government shouldand
ilNNN w NlUtu bui NJ any fNntf lilhh ~
groes ran for office they should do so at
their EXTREMIST peril, and II warned all
negroes against attempting 10 ioist upon
us this black and damnable machinery
called government" The colored citizens,
under all these circumstances surrounding
them, had met In convention, had resolved
that Il would be unsafe for them 10 attempt
20 vote, and had consequently abstained
from voting, 40 that none but white men
voted. The federal officers engaged in that
business were Mr. Harris, the district at
torney, Mr.. Wilson, the deputy collector
OF internal revenue, and Mr.. Livingstone,
deputy United States marshal. He sub
mitted that the question, although II af-
iected only for the time being municipal
election in the city OF Jackson, was one Of
national importance. The country this
year was TO enter on presidential cleo
tion, which was 90 decide the presidency
and also 10 decide the complexion OF the
national House OF Representatives. In
that election nj least 10000 600 voters,
representing 60,OOO,0OO Of American pco-
pie, would participate. Among those
voters were probably 100000 OF black
men, representing G,0OO, 700 or 100000 Of
their own race, and II WIS an
important question whether those 800, 600
Nluik lutu Ntff NI Mtft not 70 Ut uliuNtN
10 vote. IL was question whether that
matter should be settled by fair vote OF
all who are voters under the constitution
or be settled with 500, 900 Of those voters
DISTINGUISHED In pursuance OF that policy
which had been deliberately adopted in
the capital Of the State OF Mississippi,
which State was seeking today 10 have an
associate justice Of the supreme court 10 aid
In passing on the validity Of the consiitu-
~~ti0nal amendments.
Mr.. Riddlcbcrgcr remarked that there
was no conccalmont Of the fact that the
resolution was intended 10 affect matters
that ought 20. be considered only in execu-
tive session. and he gave notice as 20 him
self he would vote for the confirmation OF
Mr.. Lamar.
Mr.. Walthnll said he had not risen 10
offer an opposition 10 the proposed invcstl-
CATION. In the contrary, he was anxious
that the resolution should be adopted by
the votes Of those senators whose views on
the constitutional power Of the Senate diff
icred from his own. II the proposition
were 10 investigate a town election In New
Hampshire he should vigorously oppose II.
lie courtcd the fullest investigation Of the
occurrences at jackson, but he protested
against any prejudgment Of the case. In
httNl Oh nlefc anonymous communications,
he desired that the motives, proyocations,
grievances and surroundings Of the people
Of that city, together with their actions,
should be laid before the country and
that the verdict Of the country should be
had upon them.
Mr.. Jones, Of Arkansas, sent 10 the
clerks desk and had read q telegram sent
on the 81 Of January by Attomey-G General
Garland 10 District Attorney Harris, Of
Jackson, In these words ~ notice in the
papers that you are mentioned personally
as participating In political meetings re-
Gently, at Jackson, 20 suppress the colorcd
vote Of that city and 10 prevent colorcd
people from running for Office, by violence
aud intimidation. Report fully 10 me at
J once the whole proceedings and your
connection with H."
Mr.. George said that his 6rSt impulse
had been TO let the resolution be adopted
without any debate or objection on his
part. He would vote for Il except for one
insuperablc objection, and that was that
y embraced matters entirely outside Of the
jurisdiction Of the senate; II II had been
confined 10 an Investigation Of the conduct