Letter from A. D. Banks to H. F. Sumrall; March 9, 1876

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Letter from A. D. Banks to H. F. Sumrall; March 9, 1876

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People

Ames, Adelbert, 1835-1933 Banks, A. D.Hancock, Winfield Scott, 1824-1886 Hendricks, Thomas A. (Thomas Andrews), 1819-1885 Palmer, Unknown Simrall, H. F.Thurman, Unknown Tilden, Samuel J. (Samuel Jones), 1814-1886 Yellowby, Unknown

Events

Conventions Legislation. Mississippi Political Elections--Federal. Election of 1876 Political Office--Removal from office Political elections Political elections--Federal Taxation Taxation--Mississippi

Organizations

Mississippi--Legislature Plantations Political Parties Political Parties--Democratic Party (U.S.)Political Parties--Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )United States--Executive Department United States--Executive Department. Office of the President

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Indiana Missouri New York Ohio Pennsylvania Washington (D.C.)

Page 1

Maj A D Banks
1876

[seal]

Office of Democratic Nat. Com.
Washington, D. C. March 9th/'76

My Dear Judge:

I have not one word from Mr. Palmer up to this time. He promised me when I left home to write me weekly. Would it be possible for you to go down, if for only a day, and see what he is about. I shall endeavor to meet you on the plantation early in April and will advise you of my movements accordingly. I quite agree with you that it will be necessary for the coming year to make another arrangement. I regard Mr. Palmer's conduct very extraordinary, if not suspicious.

The developments here in the last few days have been of a very startling character. The effect has been to greatly injure the Republican party, and furnishes more than a compensation for the mistakes of the Democracy. The desire for a change in administration, and the examination of the books of the government, will in all probably control the decision of the next Presi-dential election. As things now appear Hendricks is ahead for the Democratic nomination. Whether

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he will be able to preserve his lead I cannot say. The difficulties in Ohio are in the way of Thurman. Tilden is so obnoxious to the West it would be folly for the Democratic Convention to present him. It is thought that under his candidacy Ohio and Indiana in October would be lost by an immense majority, which would practically settle the Presidential election. So thoroughly is this felt in New York that it is doubtful whether that will present Mr. Tilden to the Missouri Convention In the event of a failure of Hendricks, the probabil-ities are that Gen'l Hancock will be taken up as a compromise candidate. It is believed that he could certainly carry Pennsylvania and prob-ably is the only Democrat who can. I give you these speculations for what they are worth.

I trust you will attend to the tax matter It seems to me that before the legislature adjourns a bill should be passed, permitting all parties who are in arrears for taxes to pay at any time before Jan'y 1^st 1877 the face of their indebtedness at some low rate of interest. This measure of relief would be esteemed a great boone by the people. Suppose you confer with Yellowby and

and Catchings on the subject, and prepare for them a bill embodying some such feature as I have mentioned. Those who have paid their taxes were able to do so. The argument that such a concession to non-taxpayers would be a hardship I think is worth nothing in the present distressed condition of our affairs in Mississippi. I believe the state in this matter would be a great beneficiary.

What about Ames & the impeachment? Do write me what is going on in Mississippi. I shall be happy to respond letter for letter and give you all that is transpiring at the capital. The investigating process will probably occupy the entire session. It is feared by many before it ends the President will be so compromised as to render his impeachment inevitable. There appears to be no doubt that at least two other members of the cabinet will be so com-promised by the investigations as to require a removal from office

Very Sincerely Yours,

A D Banks

The Hon. H. F. Simrall.