The Washington bee., 1888-06-09

dOH. u. d. DpelUdls lUtIucilJ
secretary of the state of Mississippi
and at present a Sherman delegate
from that state to the Chicago con-
vention, and who has been before
the judiciary committee of the Sen
ate, given testimony concerning
outrages against the colo Led people
in his state, was called on by BEE
reporter before he left for New
York aud the following is the result:
Reporter: "You being a delegate
to the National Republican Con
vention from Mississippi, what,
within the range of your know
ledge appears to be the choice OF
Southern Republicans for presi-
dent?'
Mr.. Spellman replied: "SenatOr
Sherman is far in advance of any
other candidate in favor among
Southern republicans. This is ac-
counted for because of his active
and unfiiuching support always
given to interests affecting the
South, and his magnificent equip
ment in all that tends to make him
leader 0t the great principles for
which the Republican party con-
tends, aud which are the basis of
the nations prosperity"
rReporter: ''You have been a wit
ness before the Senate Judiciary
Committee in its investigation of
the jackson election. Can you
give any information as to the char
acter of the testimony adduced ~
Mr.. Spelman "The investigation
into the causes which led to the
disfranchisement of the colored
Vote in the Jackson election is pro-
crossing under circumstances most
favorable. We have more than
made out our case, the strongest
testimony presented on our side
has been given by those whose high
standing in the council of the dem
ocratic party, there is no question.
The plans presented and adopted
by the Democrats In their cOnyen-
tion surpasses in intensity of bitter
telling towards the colOred votes,
anything heretofore declared. The
PrOhibitiOnists in our state are re
garded as being advocates of a
high moral, aud christian standard,
amongst the people, and from
them it was expected that every
thug looking towards the suppress
sion Ofthe rights of American cit
izens, would be resisted by them
with rigor and earnestness. But in
Jackson they were the leaders in
the unamerican plans adopted, and
enforced to nulify the constitution
and laws of the land, The famous
"Red Circular" was the product of
the brain, and energy of this class
of our citizens"
Reporter: What is the general
condition of the colored people of
the State as to polltics?'
Mr.. Spelman We are practically
disfranchised. The provisions of
the 18th Amendment are a dead
letter. Our vote when cast is sup
pressed by various plans of the
Democrats, whose methods are
notorious. There is a growing SEN
tlmeht among colOred Republicans
that In as much as their mis:epre.
sentation in the Electoral College
and the lower House of Congress.
does not reflect their sentiments,
but is the result of the unlawful
and unconstitutional methods em.
ployed for the control of elections.
that they be disfranchised by law.
ful action. and the 35 votes upop
which their bases of citizenship
exists be taken away and the
South stand on its representation
OF It's white vote above. We are i'm
a condition far worse than we
we're at the close of the war The
Legislature that assembled last
winter in one state was the worse
In It's attitude towards the col.
ored people that has met at any
time In the history of the state.
IN Inn