The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-14
UNDER THE RULE OF FLORIDA MOB.
Officers Unable to Raise a Posse to
Arrest Rufflans.
LaW-Abiding Citizens TerrorIzed by
Threats Of Murder.
The State of Affairs Reported In
Madison County.

WASHINGTON, February 1S.-The Attor-
ney General sent to the Senate today copies
OF communications between the officials Of
the United States circuit court for the north
ern district of Florida, and the Department
OF Justice in November and December 1889.
The correspondence relates principally to
the election troubles in Madison county,
Florida. Marshal Mizell wrote the Attorney
General that it was impossible to enforce any
process in Madison county. A political pris
oner was rescued by mob in Gerdsden and
another offender saved from arrest by the
mob The marshal telegraphed the depart
ment later that sufficient possee could not
be organized. The men who could be employ
ed were unreliable and reliable men feared as
sassination. The members of the posse
could not obtain shelter or aid for them
selves or animals j. M. STRIPPING wrote
on November 9, that the entire county was
terrorlzed, and it was impossible to
establish the identity or whereabouts of
on past experiences, the inhabitants did not
believe sufficient force of deputies would
be sent to protect them from assassination.
Inc murder OF John Bird made it as difficult
10 md witnesses as to arrest criminals. The
immunity allowed law breakers in Madison
county, encouraged the criminal classes in
other counties. Judge Swayne and he were
visited by delegation from Alachina, who
emplored them to cease bringing prosecu-
tions because r. A. Barnes, a prominent
Republican, had been notified that if there
were any more prosecutions he would be
murdered. Mr.. Stripping recommended that
military company be established in Madi-
son county and that large rewards be offered
for the ringleaders of the mob, Eugene E.
West, r. ID: McNair, c. B. McNair, A. D.
Stanton and William H. Goodbread'
On November 13. STRIPPING informed the
Attorney General that s.. G. Sadler, super
visor of registration of Alachina county,
had pleaded guilty to two indictments for
illegally refusing to register persons
Prominent Republicans had recommended
that Judgment be postponed to December,
1880, and that Sadler be released on $4,000
6ail, with the idea OF ultimately suspending
Judgment The recommendation, Mr.. Strip
ling. in view of Sadler's promises, was en-
dO.sed
Philip Walter, chief supervisor of regis
tration, wrote November 26, that in seven
each precinct were kept off the registration
list and more than 10000 Republican votes
were thrown out sitter being cast.
Under date Of November 13, the attorney
general wrote Attorney Stripping that the
command itself to his Judgment and the
President concurred In this view. The fore !.
man OF the grand jury wrote the attorney
general, December IL, that the jury were
satisfied that large organization for tn
resistance of the arrest OF any one charged
with violating the election laws, existed in
Madison county, aud that no ordinaty posse
could go into the county and effect an ar
rest. The only effectual way would be to
send mounted posse into the county to re-
main long enough to acquaint themselves
with the people and country. and pOst rela-
BILE men on the borders of the county, be-
sides offering reward of not less than
$1,000 for the arrest of West, Stanton ald
Rufus McNair