The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1889-04-13
THE mlLL.CATCHINGs CONTEST.
The Issue as Viewed from q Rcputabt {
Republican Standpoint.
1Vicksbure post.1

[Vicksburg Post.l
Yesterday afternoon MIR. l.. W..
Swaifor,l, n weii-known and highly
Gen. Caichings. Mr.. Swaf1ord stated
that he had lived in Vicksbur& IL
years. Voted for CatchIngs for Con-
grcss and Harrison for President at the
last election. Did not know Of q white
man that voted for Hill. Did not re-
cognizs the claim Of local candidates
for the postmastership 10 be recognized
as the only genuine Isopublicans here.
There we're quite number Of consis.
tent white Republicans in Vicksburg.
These, 80 far as witness knew, were all
Catchings men.
La the last eight years had voted the
strsight Democratic ticket except when
coiored Inah's name was on that
ticket, in which case scratched it of.
Would not vote for q Republican
nominee for Congress or State Office
If said nominee was a colored man.
First came 10 Vicksburg to join his
reg iment in 1864. Voted with the Re-
publicans on national and with the
Democrats on local questions because
he preferred the formers national
ideas and could only affiliate with
the Democratic party in the South.
Reuben II. Frank testified to similar
purport.
This afternoon Judge Fred. A. Speed
was examined. lie testified that he
was lawyer, aged IL years, resi-.
dent Of Vicksburg, where he had lived
for the past "a years. Was native
of Michigan and lived there till 1860.
Was always Republican. Eniis-
ted rs private in the Federal
army in 1861 and was mustered out
in 1866 as assistant adjuiant general
with the rank of captain. Was engag-
ell in business pursuits here up to 1865
when he was appointed Circuit Clerk
this District. Was admitted to the
bar the same year and in the following
year was appointed Judge of the War;
ren county Criminal Court by Gov.
Ames. Am at present Grand Com
mander of the Grand Commandery OF
Knights TeMplars and Past Grand
High Priest OF Royal Arch Masons in
this State. At the last election voted
for Gen. Harrison for President and
Gen. Caichings for Congress. The bet
ter class OF white Republicans favored
the election OF Gen. Catchings. Did
not know OF any white Republicans
except five or six candidates for Fede-
raj offices who claimed to have voted
for Hill and did not know that all or
any of these favored Hills election.
Some of these testified that they did
| vote for him but 1 never understood
that they would do so.
Republicans OF the better class did
no, favor lliil's candidacy but regarded
him as an interioper into the District
who desired TO attract attention to
himself.
When Judge Jeffords was living il
Was understood thst the Democrats
should not oppose him for Congress,
but after his death the better element
of Republicans thought ii only good
faith TO support Catchinss agxins,
Psarce, who was brought out by a
convention composed almost entirely
of negroes. Gen. Catchings' candidacy
was regarded a personal one, as was
Hits. Strict party lines were not
drawn. Had heard of no white ma,
assisting in HIPS canvass or nomina
ton except A. Z. Wimberly. Estims
ted that there were about fifty white
Republicans in Ficksourg. The bette
+ class of white Republicans was oppos
ed TO replacing Gen. Cstcbiugs b!
any msn OF either party, his service
being onsidered specially tmportan
to the District
E Cheathsm's Chill Tonic, "best in III
a