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. 1645
Question. As a judge, has he ever been a partisan judge?
Answer. As a judge, I can't say he has ever done anything wrong intentionally. He
is not an able man; he is a plausible man; he is not a man of legal learning, cannot
be, because he has not practiced; the time he has been on the bench has not been
sufficient-yon will understand me, as I believe you are a professional manyourselfnot sufficient to educate him; he was a planter before, and all that he knows of law is
perhaps learned since he has been on the bench; but his manner has been polite to
lmeiibers of the bar, and they have treated him with courtesy and politeness. I have
throughout, and shall always do so as long as he is on the bench, and off of the bench,
unless he gives me personal cause, and will do all I can to sustain his orders and decrees.
I mention only my opinion, which, I believe, is the opinion of all the members of the
bar. Whether I respect the man and have confidence in him is another thing.
Question. I was going to ask whether that courtesy was the result of duty or feeling?
Ansuer. It is the result of duty that I owe to myself, and duty to him holding the
position that he does. I don't know how to express it in clearer language.
By Mr. BLAI:
Question. The question has been asked of almost all the witnesses who have appeared
here, in reference to those men upon whom the outrages have been committed, if they
had been prominent citizens, of high social standing, would not great efforts have been
made to discover those who had maltreated them? Is not that true in regard to every
commnlity?
Answer. It is, sir.
Question. That where respectable and prominent citizens of higli character have been
made the victims of murderous assault, there is more excitement in the community
than there is in reference to an ordinary man?
Ansiwer. Always so, sir.
Question. Or ai man of low character?
Answzer. Always so, sir.
Questionl. Upon the principle that there should be more sympathy felt for the death
of such a man as Daniel Webster than for an ordinary man.:l, nlot of any use to the
conmmniity? Is not that true in regard to every community in this country?
Anszwer. I think so.
QuIestion. Would it not be true of Indiana, in your judgment, as well as in Alabanma?
Answuc. I think so, sir. I think it is an instinct growing out of the hearts of amlen.
The liearts of menl can be governemd by impulses of that kind everywhere.
Qtcstion. That men who are obscure, and who are of bad character when they fall
victims in this xway, do not excite as much sympathy by their death as imore prominent
men under similar circumstances, and there are not such efforts made anywhere to
pursue and bring their assailants to justice?
A1rswer. I think not, sir.
Question. In reference to this Loyal League, is it not a matter of universal belief
that the members of that organization take an oath to support the radical candidates,
and that the negroes are afraid of incurring a penalty if they vote against the radical
ticket?
Ansiwer. Yes, sir; that is the belief.
Question. Have you not heard thenm say that they would like to vote with the delmocrats, but that they had taken an oath to vote with the League?
Answel. I don't remember that I have had any conversation of that kind, but I have
heard that ollhers have had such conversations, and that statenent, I think, had been
made to t hem.
QlmestioI. I uanderstand you to say that no efforts were made before the last electionno concerted efiort-to obtain the negro vote by the democrats?
Answer. Yes, sir.
Question. But at that election there was?
Answcer. At that election there was.
Qestion. And that many of the negroes addressed the people of their color in favor
of the democratic ticket?
Anscer. They did so, in different parts of the county.
Question. Questions have been asked about the alarm and apprehension which the
negroes felt in going to radical meetings; was not that, to a very great extent, inculcated by the radical leaders themselves, who invited them to come here with arms in
their hands?
Answcr. Yes, sir; I think so, from the fact of their coming with arms in their hands
to attend meeting.
Questionl. What did they say, when they would come with arms in their hands, and
were expostulated with?
Aniswer. That they had been inst'ucted to come.
Question. Ordered to come?
Answ'er. Yes, sir; ordered to come in that way.