The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1891-08-11
THE ROW IN BOONvILLE.
W. n. Draffen, the Democratic
City Attorney, Interviewed
on the Situation.
The Darkey Jury Was More Than
the Good People by the Big
Muddy Could Stomach.

Upon the arrival of the 5:45 NJ,
K. 4 T. train from the north yester-
day, Mr.. w. NJ Draffen, the young
politician and city attorney of Boon
vile, stepped from the train, and as
he was Just from the town that. has
caused such comment throughout the
state on account of its marshal sum-
moning a negro jury, your reporter
approached him by asking if there
was any feeling because OF the mar.
shals action. Mr.. Draffen responded
by saying, "that, being the only
democratic official in the city admin
istration. he preferred not to speak OF
the matter, but he certainly deprecat.
ed the occurrence"
"But, Mr.. Drafien, we're you and
the mayor not responsible for the
summoning of the jury?'
"Emphatically, no. l am satisfied
that Marshal Taliaferro is alone re-
sponsible for his course. The first
intimation l had that jury of the
colored race was summoned
was when their names we're read upon
the opening of court. l have no hest.
fancy in saying, as then stated, that
Taliaferro's action was unprecedented
in the ananls of the courts Of our city
and county, and that the summoning
of this peculiar jury was done with.
out my knowledge or consent, and
that desired the public to know l
washed my hands Of the whole affair.
Courtesy alone would have dictated
that be at least let me know, las l
represented one branch of the city,
that be intended to pursue this kind
ola course, but he did not. How.
ever, l suppose the reason was appar.
ent, for he certainly knew that 1
would object. lido not care to speak
further"
"Did the mayor instigate this
movement"
1.-The mayor at the time told
me it was surprise to
him and that he regretted
it. Mayor Swap has made an excel
lent mayor. He is painstaking and
tries to be impartial and the senti.
ment that prevails that he is unneces-
sarily severe towards the celored
race is am satisfied unjust"
Ibid the colored people demand q
jury of their own"
"As to that / cannot say, but in
the case of the State VS.. Wilbourn,
which grew out of the same transac-
ton, l represented some Of the most
prominent colored people in the city,
assisting in Wilbourn's prosecution
and they all stated that they we're
perfectly satisfied to leave their inter.
ests in the hands of white men. l
am satisfied Taliaferro's course was
not dictated by any desire upon the
part of the colored people,"
"What will be the effect, Mr.. Draf.
fen? ?"
"Oh, 1 don't know. If the
city election was to take
place right now almost universal sen.
fiment against Taliaferro l am salts
fed would result in the election of q
democratic ticket. What the senti-
ment'will be in April cannot say. AT
present the leading republicans and
the most prominent colored people do
not think the time has come for q col.
ored jury"
"Was the case tried by the colored
jury ,
Capt. A. c. Widdicombe, attorneys
for Wilburn, made an affidavit that
Taliaferro was prejudiced, so his col
ored jury was discharged and Mr..
Spahr was selected to impanel a new
one"
"Was there not q fight in the may.
cr's COURT"
swell there was a little excitement.
Taliaferro called Mr.. Johnston, who is
a reputable lawyer of our city, liar
and Johnston responded by striking
him, but the bystanders soon stopped
the row."
Glow are politics in your county?''
81 have heard of very little discus
sion. 1t is quite early to predict any.
thing to certainty"
"How about the alliance in your
county? ?"
"The alliance is composed mostly
of sensible farmers, but there are q
few so 1 am informed, that fol
political purposes are undertaking to
control it. A vast majority seem to be
against the third party and the sub
treasury scheme"
"Who seems to be the choice fol
governor in your county ?"
81 am not in politics now. Have
seftled down 70 the nracfice of ms