New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-01-19
v CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.

JOHN WASHINGTON
alabama fell asleep without forecasting the
resources Of sensational journalism. and paid full
nenal.v for my inexperience and ignorance.
At : o'clock the next morning there was
tremendous humping upon the door Of my room
at the hotel Awakened out of deep sleep |
snranc 70 the door and shouted to the hotel
porter:
whats the matter? Is the hotel on fire.
"No The hotel is all right But we thought
downstairs that you were going TO Selma by the
early train
II am not going to Selma My name was not
on the cabook. What do you mean by disturb
ing man at this hour?"
well sir the morning paper has long piece
about YOU 1t says that you are going to start by
the early train for Selma with force of stenog-
raphers and politicians TO investigate the cleo
ton frauds in the Black Belt. The clerk at the
desk thought that you had forgotten TO put down
your name on the callbook. SO l have knocked
at your door"
My answer do not recall. The lapse Of mem
DRY may be fortunate One is hardly responsible
for what he says when aroused at O'CLOCK In
the morning without provocaton.
Az breakfast time read the article in the local
paper There it was. in black and white with
'scare heads and editorial sarcasms Haze
frs, to be visited. but ten days campaign in
the Black Belt and a complete investigation or
gross election frauds in August and November
we're outlined What increased my interest in
the article was the fact that | had met the
editor of the journal the previous evening, ana
after explaining that l was Intending to go 10
Montgomery the next afternoon to see Governor
Oates had made an appointment with him for
IL o'clock in the morning. Yet he had posted me
in his paper as a fraud investigator on mis-
sion OF hostility to the Alabama Democracy. and
thereby had indirectly instigated the raid upon
my bedroom before daylight
After passing the greater part OF the day with
CAPTAIN Kolb and other politicians. took the
afternoon train for Montgomery and registered in
the evening at Mabson's Hotel. Hardly was the
ink on the signature dry before man with
resolute face drew me into corner and said in
stage whisper:
81 am one Of your kind. know what you are
here for am in full sympathy with your mis-
sion"
What in the world do you mean
"Why II is all out in the afternoon paper.
Take IL in with you and read it while you are at
supper"
I retired 10 the dining-room TO read another
sensational account of my approaching ten days
campaign in the Black Belt. with stenographers'
Popullss and Republican committeeman as ac-
cessories and the exposure Of Democratic rascal
fly as the object OF this unprovoked invasion OF
Alabama by hirelings of the Northern press Not
having the remotest intention Of undertaking IN
vestigations which properly belonged to Congress
sional committees, was both startled and enter
tanned by the unexpected notoriety which had
been thrust upon me. My amusement was In
fensified during the next two days. when the
chairman Of the Democratic State Committee abb
ruptly declined to have word to say to me. ana
when the officials at the historic State House re-
garded me with evident suspicion. although the
United States Dstrict-Attorney and Governor
Oates were willing to vouch for me as compare
tiveIy harmless person, who desired TO hear all |
sides and disclaimed any intention OF making |
fraud investigation" in the negro counties
These incidents have been related for the sake |
OF illustrating the sensitiveness and excitability
OF the Alabama Democracy respecting election |
tnyestiga tons and also in order to emphasize the
disclaimer that I'm making an extended journey |
from the Carolinas and Virginia to Texas, have |
had any partisan sectional mission, or in fact
any motive except a desire to meet men Of all |
parties ana 10 record with candor and impartial |
ity my impressions of what is going on in the |
New South II the casual appearance Of a |
Northern journalist in Birmingham. and the in |
terest which he manifested in the coal and iron |
industries Of the most famous OF Southern boom |
towns, caused such outbreak OF mendacious
ana sensational journalism, what would happen |
IF the United States Senate were to commission |
subcommittee to investigate the conditions under |
which elections are held In Alabama? | lack the
imagination required for forecastng the scare
heads which would be employed in the press or
the mental perturbation which would. be caused
among machine Democrats
On the general question OF election methods In
Alabama / have sought information from men
OF all parties: from Governor Oates. the Secre-
tary Of state. the Attorney General, the United
States Distrct-Attorney and members of the
legislature on the Democratic side from Cap
tain Kolb, W. H. Skaggs Senator A. r. Goodwin
and many other Populist leaders, and from Asa
f. stratton. r. H. Aldrlch Colonel Cornelius
Cadle c. W. Buckley. George H. Patrick =. s.
Barker Mr. MADISON and other prominent Re-
publlcans Reserving for another letter the
conclusions formed from comparison OF the
charges counter-charges and contradictions In
volved I'm these conversations. and also from
critical examination of the text OF the election
and registration laws obtained from the office OF
the courteous Secretary of State. l shall give
the results OF q very simple but practical test of
the methods of elections in Montgomery.
The registration Of voters In Alabama II entirely
controlled by the Democratic machine. since the
Governor appoints registrars for the counties