Report of the Joint select committee appointed to inquire into the condition of affairs in the late insurrectionary states, so far as regards the execution of laws, and the safety of the lives and property of the citizens of the United States and Testimony taken.

ALABAMA-SUB-COMMITTEE. 1543
Answer. I have heard just as much before the war, except giving the "damned lie."
I have seen one good wagon-spoke thrown at the speaker, once, before the war.
Question. Was it a common practice of the people of Marengo County, at political
meetings, to insult speakers on the stand?
Answer. I do not know that it was; I have frequently seen it done.
Question. Was that course approbated by the people?
Answer. Of course, the people that did it looked upon it as right; but the others
would say it was wrong.
Question. Are you speaking of general discussions?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. Would it not create a row whenever a speaker was interfered with in that
way?
Answer. No, sir; I never saw a riot created in my life before.
Question. If a speaker was called a damned liar?
Ansuer. I do not think I ever heard one called a damned liar then.
Question. Could a greater offense be offered a public speaker than that?
Answer. No, sir; I think not.
Question. You do not think Dr. Jones could have proceeded with that speech; could
have collected his thoughts, with such interruptions constantly occuring?
Answer.. I do not know; I think he could have gone on.
Question. Did you see any pistols flourished in the crowd?
Answer. No, sir; only what the negroes had, the people there; a good many of us
told him to go on, and called to those who were talking and told them to hush.
Questiot. You went to keep the peace?
Answver. Yes, sir; I did not go to keep the peace, but when I got there and saw these
guns among the negroes, Mr. Woolf came to me and asked me to not disturb him in
any way, for he had come for a fuss.
Question. Wh'at did those twenty or thirty white men, who, I suppose, were all democrats, go to that meeting for?
Answer. The most of them were citizens of the town.
Question. Why did they, if his sentiments were distasteful to them, go and listen to
him?
Answer. They did not go and listen to him; they went after the disturbance colmmenced-most of them.
Questionz. How many were in the crowd when the fuss commenced?
Answer. Not more than five or six; more than that were in hearing, but not where
the speaking was going on.
Question. Were they listening to him?
Answer. Yes, sir; but on the opposite side of the street.
Question. Were they in their places of business?
Answser. MIost of themn were in their groceries and stores.
Questiaon. Were they in their houses, the l)siness places, or outside?
Ansier'. I suppose they were outside; I do not know; I was not over there among
them.
Question. At the time he got down and drew his pistol, how many white people were
in the crowd 7
Answer. I do not think there were but four or five.
Question. I understand you to say a large number rushed for arms then?
Answer. No, sir; I said the crowd there went back; I suppose they went for arms;
I stepped back; I saw these men standing there, and I went back.
Question,. What were they going for arms for?
Answcer. To defend the place against these negroes and Jones; that is what I would
have done with them if I had had them, after they had commenced.
Questioin. Did Jones say anything in his speech that was improper?
iAnswer. I do not remember that li did.
Questic,. If he uttered a single sentiment to which conservatives could take exception, nmention it.,4,sweve. I was paying ilut little, attention to his speech.
Qs estion. You went to hear him, did you not?
Answer. No, sir.
Question. Were you listening to him?,nsicer. I was, most of the time; I was sitting on the opposite side of the street
tlkin- to Dr. Riddle.
Qutestioi. Have you ever heard that he was uttering improper sentiments?
Answei. I do not think I have.
Que.stion. Now, a word or two in relation to what occurred at Shiloh, when he inTetrupted the speaker, Captain Mmaubin. What was the nature of that interruption; did
he ask an'explanation?
Answer. That was about the time lie commenced interrupting; I cannot recollect
what he said at Shilolh, but lhe said something about Shiloh, and some one told him,