New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-14
4 POLITICAL OUTRAGE IN ALABAMA.
HOW NEGRO POSTMASTER WAS FORCED TO RE-
sign AND A REPUBLICAN TO LEAVE
THE COUNTY.


THE COUNTY
Washinrton. Jan I3 (SpeciaD Wilcox County,
Alabama. is in the Congress District nov repre-
sented by Judge McDufe, q Republican. Both
the county and district are strongly Republican
On December 30, 1890, what the press agent at
Mobile STYLED business dispute between two
merchants. occurred at Catherine, post-town
in Wilcox County. According to the same author
itv this business dispute" resulted in the array
ing of the blacks and whites against one another
and the whites subsequently forcing William
Bruce q white Republican, who is a nephew OF
Judge John Bruce, of the United States circuit
Court 10 leave Catherine, and the resignation OF
the negro postmaster at that place why
business dispute between two merchants, ooth
white mon should have resulted in all the conse-
oucnces mentioned, the press agent did not think
it, necessary to explain, but as is rather usual
on such occasions in the South, he naively re-
marked that politics had nothing TO do with
the matter
Representative McDuffe has received from
B. O. James an officer in the Internal Revenue
service. letter which gives the matter an en-
tireIy different complexion, and his version Is
understood to hc corroborated in the main oy
postoffice inspector, who has made thorough III
vestigaton. the result of which has been the
arrest OF eleven OF tnc DcSt cl"Hch' vi
County on a charge of conspiracy. In the poer
referred to, Mr.. James wrote
REGARDING the recent trouble at Catherine'
Wilcox County, put it down as follows Gran-
vile Bennett was appointed postmaster at sald
place. as YOU know, and the old postmaster, MI.
Boynton. would not turn over the office to Ben
nett because. as ne Boynton, said, he had not
been notified by the Department to do so. Gran-
Vile wrote to me, am on the Gay that Governor
.Iones was inaugurated, Mr.. Kearns postof,ce
inspector consulted me regarding said appoint
ment. gave the facts, and the next
dav he proceeded to Catherine and IN
stalled Bennett. IL appears that negro on MI
William Brucc's place made the necessary Dond ior
Bennett without the knowledge of Bruce; YET
Bruce for this act was charged by the BourDons
of said section with melting the negroes agalnsc
the whites A committee waited on Bruce ana
told him that they would give him three DAYS I'd
leave the State The same committee waited on
Bennett and made him write out his resignation
as postmaster at Catherine. which he did YET
the impression is sought to be made that politics
had nothing TO do with Mr.. Bruce's being made 10
leave Wilcox County. The .postofiice inspectors
are doing their best to find Bennett pat ne can -
NOT be found Some appear to think that he has
been killed, but do not believe anything OF the
Lind: the last heard of Bennett he was in CIalss
office at Selma Ny opinion is that he IS being
hid away to keep Glm ron niornIs o" in u"e Mani
pomery: he had but little 10 say A postomce
Inspector saw him the next morning. but do not
know what Bruce told him
" The above are the facts IN the case TO the Dest
NJ nv knowledge. What good will 1t DO TO set
these Communists? They will have a hearing
before Bourbon Commissioner, and their Judge
for Wilcox is in the Mobile district.