The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-03-07

eral situation when that election trans
pired.
The history of the redemption of the
state then is crown of glory, reful-
gent with every virtue of a liberty loving
people.
But two short years before the re-
demption year Spencer carried the state.
He secured the defeat of the democrats
and the election of Lewis, scalawag, gov
ernor He prevailed with President
Grant to dissolve the legislature and
form another on rules unknown to any
law. state or federal. Finally Spencer
secured his own reelection in that year.
Promptly with the organization of the
legislature chosen in 1874 joint COM
mittee was appointed to investigate Spen-
GERS claim to an election and the man.
ner in which he obtained his credentials.
This committee was composed OF SEN
ators w. G. Little, Jr., of Sumter and
William Fl. Parks of Pike, both demo-
Gratis, and Leroy Brown and Thomas
Fl. Price of the house, from Mobile,
democrats, with General Datus %. Coon,
carpetbagger of Iowa, representing Dali
las. General John T. Morgan was en-
ployed by the committee as counsel and
with him was associate counsel, General
e. A. o. Neal.
Senator Spencer controlled the attitude
of the government at Washington toward
Alabama in the whole of President
Grants two terms The federal govern
ment treated the state and its people
under his dictation, in an oppressive and
degrading manner and in the facts cited
have somewhat of the character of the
man.
In course of his selection of candidates
| for a legislature to be chosen in 1872
upon whose favor his reelection de-
| pended. Spencer employed q negro of El-
more county. by the name OF William
! Turner to seek out proper persons.
| The senator paid Turner in different
ways. without expense to himself he
caused this go between. to be placed on
the nav roll of the Mobile custom house
as Especial inspector" The pay was 81 a
day. The condition of the appointment
was that no duty should be required
| of the appointee. In fact. Turner never
went to Mobile but once during his term
and then only to take the oath Of
office after the senate on Spencer's rec
ommendation, had confirmed him.
Robert Barber. carpetbagger, had been
| clerk of the house at the courtroom and
| held the same office in the Attorney Gen.
| erals LEGISLATURE Spencer employed him
as he did Turner He sent Barber to
Talladega to put out an opposing cam
|
| ture because he feared the latter as
a rival. He sent two men to Dallas to
make a secret change in the republican
ballot that would take out Alex White
and substitute the name of deputy
collector of federal revenue under his
control, Beach, because he feared White
as a supporter of Parsons. He sent D..
| G. whitney to Lowndes with $500 to
change the republican ticket there from
the opposition to the support of HIM
| self.
senator Spencer conceived and directed
| the action of the government IN sending
! troops to Alabama to overawe or run
away democratic voters in 1872 and -S74.
| Barber testified before the legislature
committee and there placed on record the
Following letter in Spencers own hand:
Decatur. Ala, October %. 1872.
my Dear Barber:
II have just returned from Louisville,
where I have been to see General Terry
about troops for Alabama.
II have had company of cavalry sent
to Livingston. a company of infRtry to
Eutaw and one to Demopolis and one to
seals station. Also squad Of cavalry