Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-03-13
POLITICAL ASSASSINATION.
Bloody Bourbon Attempt to Cover Or
Election Forgerles.

POLITICAL. ASSASSINATION.
. Bloody Bourbon Attempt to Cover Up
Election FOrgerles.
The official report made by United
States Marshal Mizell as to the circum-
stances attending the recent death of
Deputy Marshal Saunders near Quincy,
Fla, shows conclusively enough that it
was the result of q coolly and carefully
prepared scheme of murder. The mar
shaps report in brief states that he went
to Quincy, as previously arranged with
Saunders, to take colored prisoner to
Pensacola who had been arrested for
violation of the postal laws. Saunders
met Mizell as agreed, and though he
had been cautioned to be careful, accept
ed an invitation to ride with one Will
lam NJ. McFarlin and Mitchell. He was
not seen again alive, but few hours
after Mitchell drove into Quincy with
Saunders dead body in his buggy, but
could not or would not make any state
ment as to the manner of his death.
The marshal could not remain to make
an investigation as he had received
intimations from friends that the mur-
derers were on his track also and it
would not be safe for him to remain
there. That Saunders was decoyed
away into some lonely spot and muir
dered there can be no doubt, and that
the crime was a political one is just as
clear.
1t Is but a few days ago that the at
torney for the Northern district of Flor
ida reported to the Attorney-Geueral
that gross frauds in the last election
had been discovered and that the evil
dence was strengthened by the confes-
sion of one of the parties implicated.
1t proved that no less than 1900 Re-
publican votes had been thrown out or
kept off the registration lists, a number
sufficient to have elected one and proba-
bly, both the Representatives to Con-
gress from that State. The report fur
ther charged that it was impossible for
the officers of the circuit court to en-
force any processes which had to do with
the election, as the deputies were
abused, the prisoners rescued and the
witnesses terrorized. This report was
made prior to the killing of Saunders.
1t is evident that the marshal and his
deputies were making another effort to
enforce these processes, for in addition
to the removal of the negro prisoner,
they had gone to Quincy to serve sub
penas on jurors and witnesses for the
next term of court at Tallahassee, it be-
ing understood that the court would
make an effort to investigate and pun
ish the frauds by which two Representa-
lives were elected and Mr.. Cleveland
carried the State in 1888. The result
has been told. Saunders was decoyed
into ambush and murdered and Mizell
had to leave Quincy in a surreptitious
manner to save his own life. Thus the
Florida Democrats won another ''vic-
tory"
The question which is now presented
for consideration by the Administra-
tion is one of extraordinary Importance.
1t does not concern the protection of
negro voters in their political rights,
nor does it primarily concern the in
vestigation of frauds at the polls. The
issue involved is the authority of the
United States and the power of the
to enforce it's own legal
processes. The alleged frauds should
be examined at all hazards. The cow
ardly murderers of Saunders should be
arrested and punished. But above and
beyond all this, it is the duty of the Ad-
to stand by its court and
it's court officers and secure the enforce
ment of legal papers placed in their
hands for service if it has to send a
regiment down there to do it. The Of
fense of the Florida Democrats is tanta-
mount to treason. There is not even
any issue of State rights involved. 1t
is simply open, defiant obstruction to
the authority of National law and the
of National court by the
of its officers. If the law
has any power it is time to make it felt.
If Florida can override Federal court
with impunity, what is to hinder Missis-
sippi or any other cotton State, where
frauds are perpetrated at National elec-
tions, from doing the same? The Gov
ernment acknowledges itself powerless
to protect negroes in the rights it has
given them, but if it is also powerless
to protect its own agents in an
which is net State concern
then indeed is it weak. Chicago Trib-
une.