Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1895-11-23
NUMBER 1.
SOUTHERN GLEANINGS.
To Test the virgini, Election Law.

TO Test the tlrKinit EieCtiou LhW'
Says a dispatch from Richmond, Va.'
National interest will attach to at least
one OF the contested election cases to
come before the house OF representa-
tives. Mr.. Cornet, OF Virginia, a re-
publican, asked for the seat of Mr..
Swanson on other than local grounds.
His attorneys are Shellabarger & Will
son, both of whom are able ex-mem-
bers of congress. They are pre-
pairing to test in the house, which
is the judge of the qualifications
Of its members, the validity of the
Virginia election law They will
claim that this statute, commonly
called the Walton law, after its au.
thor, is invalid because 1t practically
disfranchises the negro, not because
Of ignorance, but because OF color.
The question thus raised will h i'm.
portant and Of general interest be.
cause it will have bearing upon the
election laws OF several other southern
states, in so far as they apply to rep
resentativcs. Mr.. Comets case rests
mainly upon the claim that the law is
invalid, or unconstitutional. A de.
cision in his favor by the house would
have no effect on state or local elec.
tions, but it would be precedent far
reaching in future contests brought
before the house.
| Gov. O'FerraIl on Lynching.
The Forthcoming message Of the
governor of Virginia to the legisla-
ture, which meets on the first Wednes.
day in December, is expected to be one
Of the most important and interesting
papers sent to that body by any execu-
tive since the close of the war. A most
unique and remarkable feature of it,
says n Richmond dispatch, will be
what he will have to say of the lynch
ings that have taken place in the state
during the past fifteen years The
record promises to startle the people
of this state, as well as the coun-
try. Another feature is expected to
be a recommendation with regard to
sheriffs or other officials charged with
the custody of prisoners who allow a
lynching to take place. The vigor OF
the law is to be dealt out to such per-
sons. 1t is fact, and one which the
governor will probably call to the at
tention of the Legislature, that but for
the prompt use OF the military seven
more lynchings would have been added
to the record in Virginia during the
past year. Gov. OFerrall saw the da1-
ger, and promptly ordered troops to
the scene of the trouble.
Southern Emigration from Illinois.
There is large emigration to the
south from Piatt county, Ill. One
colony has located at Lake Charles.
La, and is engaged in raising rice.
Another colony has located at Tala-
poosa, Ga, and is engaged in raising
all kinds OF fruits, while third colony
has gone to Wilcox and Marengo coun.
ties, Ala, and settled near Mckinley,
and is raising cotton and corn They
have secured large tracts of land, very
cheap, that have not been cultivated
since the war. A colony from Cham
paign county, ILL.,, has purchased 5000
acres in the Mississippi delta. and will
move there and raise corn and cotton
Awoke to Find Corpse by His Side.
When George Miller awoke at Rich
mond, Va, the other morning, ht
found corpse in bed beside him. He
and James Monroe Carey occupied 9
room together Carey was cigar
maker, and was apparently healthy
During the afternoon he went home
5 and retired, complaining of pain in
l his chest. About II o'clock .at night
Miller went to his room and called
t Carey, but as the latter seemed to bt
q asleep he did not disturb him. lie
, arose at $3.50 and attempted to arouse
: Carey, but, failing, made an examina
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