Clarion-Ledger clipping

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Letter from Capt. W. A. Montgomery.

Washington, D. C., July 13, 1876.

EDITORS CLARION: I arrived here this morning under a summons from Mr. Boutwell, to appear forthwith before the Investigating Committee, and lost to time in presenting my name to the Democratic members of that Committee. By them, I was received, together with Mr. Ed. Allen, of Mississippi, most hospitably in the reception-room of the Senate. Soon Mr. Boutwell and other Republican members of the Committee were notified of my presence, and they proceeded at once to Committee-room, where I was examined by Mr. Bayard, and cross-examined by Mr. Boutwell. I was asked to tell not only what I saw and knew myself, but also what I had heard, and what I thought about the campaign in Mississippi last fall.

We found Tarbell, Fisher, Eugene Wilbourn and Bell, the colored lawyer, who lived at Clinton, and others here, testifying before the same Committee. Whilst in Committee-room, I heard Mr. Boutwell tell Mr. Bayard that he wanted the report of a U.S. Grand Jury, of Oxford, made a part of the testimony in this investigation, to which Mr. Bayard readily consented.

You know, I know, and the world should know, that that grand jury was picked for the purpose of making the slanderous report which emanated from them only for party purposes and political effect. With every officer of the Court holding by appointment of the present administration, to what means would they not resort to continue themselves in position, especially so after Mr. Hayes' assurance that if elected he would "make no removals?" What else can we expect from a set of officials whose leader, in the acceptance of his nomination, offers this bribe for their vote and their influence?

After we bade the Committee adieu, we soon found ourselves in company with Col. C. E. Hooker, who is our immediate representative in the National Council. He has added much to the pleasure of our short visit to Washington. Having obtained for us a seat "upon the floor" of the House, we were presented to quite a number of gentlemen, who, though opposed to us from '61 to '65, Mississippians love now to honor, and they assure us that their every effect shall be directed towards placing the South beyond the reach of her political enemies. They are hopeful of the success of the Democratic party.

Yours, etc.,
W. A. Montgomery.

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Clarion-Ledger, “Clarion-Ledger clipping,” Mississippi State University Libraries, accessed December 30, 2024, https://msstate-exhibits.libraryhost.com/items/show/1205.

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