New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-24
MURDER NO CRIME.
r1s ALL RIGHT TO KILL REPUBLICAN
IN ALABAMA.
,,,r CONTENT TO STEAL CONGRESSMAN AL
pRrcH's SEAT. HIS OPPONENTS MAKE
cowARDLY ATTACK ON HIM.

p,-ro,nehann Ala. Aug % (speciaD.-About the
,.st remaining Republican Congressman from the
south is William F. Aldrich. who represents the
rvth District OF this State and whose seat Will
~ taken In December by a Democrat who was not
.,scted but who obtained the certificate OF cleo
,,on from Governor Johnston The Governor was
obliged TO give the certificate to Mr.. Robbins be-
cause the face OF the returns. which had been duly
doctored by the Dallas County ring which controls
,ha politics OF the State. showed that the Demo
cratic nominee had been elected OF course, a con-
test is
Intensely interesting and dramatic as has been
Che entire political experience of Mr.. Aldrich In the
South It was reserved for the campaign OF last
fall TO show him what real dangers and risks
man may encounter who insists on being not only
n Republican candidate for Office but an honest
friend OF the negro race.
MI Aldrich moved 70 Alabama from the State Of
New-York about twenty-five years ago. and mas
been for many years one Of the solid progressive
business men Of the State He owns coal mine
and a beautiful home in a village in Shelby County
bearing his name. and first went :nto politics
about six years ago. Three times he has been
fairly and squarely elected 70 Congress by the
white voters OF the WITH District but on each &C
casion he has been compelled to make contest
with Democrat, who has obtained the certificate
from a Democratic Governor. In each case the
granting OF the certificate based on the re-
turns from Dallas County. one OF the strongest
negro counties in the State. The methods employed
there by the ring which has for its war cry White
supremacy IN the name OF which all manner OF
crimes are committed with impunity. are simple
ind logical.
In +be last campaign for instance. Aldrich went
n Dallas with a majority Of 800 from the white
counties OF the district When the ring knew eN-
Acty how many votes were needed in DaIas u
overcome HIS majority. they went cheeriuliy 70
work in the courthouse. stuffed poll lists and ma
nipulated returns TO secure an apparent majority
for Robbins. the Democratic candidate
NOT A CRIME TO KILL A REPUBLICAN
A legal farce that has just taken place in Selma
gives a clear and convincing illustration Of the
methods In the Black Belt" where political
crimes are concerned. Percy Clark, tool OF the
ring who was accused Of killing George r. "asoi'
d fearless Republican leader IN the county SooH
after the election last year. was on trial seven
witnesses for the State testified that Clark picked
e quarrel with Mason. and shot him down IN coiu
blood when the latter was unarmed. In spite Oh
MI this testimony, and Notwithstanding the fact
that not circumstance was alleged TO mitigate
the grossuess Of the murder. or word OF evidence
IN Clark's favor. except that he was well known
10 the people Of Selma editor OF Democratic
newspaper the murderer was acquitted. the YER
dict being Not guilty"-which means In Dallas
County that It Is not a crime 10 Kill Republican,
be he white or black Clark, IN fact is more than
ever pet OF the ring. and kind OF hero among
che people He is triumphanty vindicated' ana
the shooting Of Republicans IN that section OF the
State is made easier than ever. Had the situation
been reversed: had Mason slain Clark even IN
Sair fight each man having a weapon in his hano'
the Republican would have been promptly con-
-yicted and hanged with neatness and dispatch
That's the way they draw the line IN Dallas
County.
II is confidently believed and freely asserted that
Clark was appointed 10 kill Mason to get MIN ou'
az the way. with en- express guarantee OF I'M
1uunity from the who control the courts PACK
.he turies and run the ring OF Dallas County
NJ Aldrich's campaign ably conducted by
Senator Gilbert B. Deans. Of Shelby County. man
81 marked ability and decided independence OF
character who was the Populist candidate Tor
Governor a year ago. While Mr.. Deans Is Popu-
list in State affairs for the purpose OF curoing as
much as possible the insolence OF the various
Democratic rings in the State, he is practically an
Administration Republican, and believes thor-
rughlv In the usefulness Of Mr.. Aldrich.
Seeing the way things were sure TO go IN Daiias
County. NJ Deans ordered the colored voters IN
most OF the precincts OF that county to abstain
from voting which they did. Yet many OF their
names were put the poll lists as having voted
for Robbins. and the ring used intimidation 10
prevent them from testifying 70 this fact III the
hearings IN the contest case.
A COwARDLY ASSAULT.
But before the hearings could be begun (and they
had 70 be held IN an ADJOINING NON44ts AZ $780,
g.. any Of the witnesses TO appear an incident
occurred az Selma which came within a hair
breadth OF making one OF the blacklist pages OF
crime known in the politics Of this section.
Mr. Aldrich. with Mr.. Deans and his lawyer MI
Dryer went TO Selma January IA 10 employ
Commissioner 10 take evidence and 10 set copies
o. the poll lists etc. They stayed at the hotel
Albert one Of the principal hosteries OF the town
ana went about their business in quiet and or
DERBY way IN the evening. as they entered the
hotel ONCE they saw Robbins and several others
sitting or standing about near the open nre. hoo-
bins stepped up to Mr. Aldrich with newspaper IN
his hand and led him apart. While demonstrating
IN subdued voice about some item In the paper
and while Nj Aldrch's head was bent forward
% look a. the paper Robbins drew back ana
struck him q savage blow in the face. Al thls
juncturs Mr. Dryer interfered 70 stop the asSauI
Evans clerk and register OF the City court OF
Selma, and formerly a Sheriff. stepped up Win a
take bis hand on Robbins Others OF Robbinss
heee-s also drew with pistols in their naI1S;
and Aldrlch knowing well the scheme that was on
FOO, simply shielded himself as well as ne cou,d i
from Koooins's blows ana rs.rea,v 80 orrned and
they Eel, that deliberate plan had peeh s,d G
% assassnate Mr. Aidrich; II ne fboy would have
b-e- shot down. and the murderers wouia n itI
been exouerated as was Percy clark for 'he h'''-
Nr 8Idrtc6's presence Of mind doubtless saved
the whole party He was considerably bruised
about me face by Robbins's blows His frleaas Iea
him upstairs. and as they passed ILon -. "a ~. I'll
cers!ve yell sent up by ROBBINS anu ms '''
lowers 49,
No arrests were made though the officers OF the
law were witnesses 20 the Migrant ulsJu otISe -
the public peace-an open and criminal attaC -. "a
an unarmed citizen who was CUES VI IN - ,be
These desperadOes ana others or their Hh arc -
men who give the South BAD name. als a.s w." -a
are each day by their deeds and their threats, re
tarding It's progress and checking It's deVeopHen''
WITNESSES AFRAID TO TESTIFY.
Such was the effect Of this assault on the coioreo
men and other Republicans In Dallas county Una.
II was almost out OF the question 10 get many OF
the witnesses OF frauds at the polls TO appear d'
the hearings which were soon begun IN Nii'o"
County the one adjoining Dallas on INC "o' VIZ
One OF the Witnesses said. ,. - NJ
-. y L.. EsGaQN ON MI