'Most powerful man in Mississippi politics'

A subject of this blog has been evidence of the ongoing and pervasive political influence of the Council of Conservative Citizens (formerly known as the White Citizens' Council) in Mississippi (and elsewhere). As we continue to ask why, in the new 2005 court case, no suspects other than Edgar Ray Killen have been charged in the murders of Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner, we would do well to take note of the latest release from the Arkansas Delta Peace And Justice Center, which follows this introduction and makes up the rest of this post.

Notes:
• Lawrence Rainey was the Sheriff of Neshoba County, Mississippi in 1964 and was one of the men charged in the original 1964 lawsuit brought by Schwerner's widow, Chaney's mother, and a number of African American civil rights workers, including Fannie Lou Hamer.
• Byron De La Beckwith, also referenced below, is the man who murdered Mississippi NAACP leader Medgar Evers in 1963. Beckwith went to trial twice in the 1960s but was not convicted until 1994.
• The Sovereignty Commission was the state of Mississippi's spy organization, founded to oppose the Civil Rights Movement.

--BG

'Most powerful man in Mississippi politics'

Retiring state representative Charlie Capps

Supported Neshoba Sheriff Lawrence Rainey in 1964

by The Arkansas Delta Peace And Justice Center

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Charlie Capps, long time state representative, who has been described as the most powerful man in Mississippi politics, is retiring from the state legislature.

 

Charlie Capps, a plantation owner, was president of the segregationist Central Bolivar (White) Citizens Council in the early 1960s.

He was sheriff of Bolivar County, Mississippi from 1964-68 and president of the Mississippi Sheriff Association in 1964-1965.

Capps was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in November 1971 and took office in January 1972.

He was chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee from 1988 through 2003.

 

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Sheriffs' President (Charlie Capps) Supported

Neshoba County Sheriff Rainey

 

Jackson Daily News article 12/9/1964

http://mdah.state.ms.us/arlib/contents/er/result.php?image=/data/sov_commission/images/png/cd09/069706.png&otherstuff=10|60|0|12|1|1|1|67125

 

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Capps requests a paid informant from the Sovereignty Commission.

 

June 1965

http://mdah.state.ms.us/arlib/contents/er/result.php?image=/data/sov_commission/images/png/cd03/023898.png&otherstuff=2|61|2|1|1|1|1|23420

 

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Capps opposed 1994 prosecution of Byron De La Beckwith, the murderer of Medgar Evers

 

(In 1994) Rep. Charlie Capps Jr., a longtime member of the Mississippi legislature and chairman of its powerful House Appropriations Committee, wrote in his individual capacity to Ed Peters (then Hinds Co. District Attorney):

 

I cannot imagine your purpose, but for whatever reason, your indictment and proposed trial of Mr. Beckwith has done great and irreparable harm to our state. The State of Mississippi and thousands of private citizens have worked for several decades in an effort to change our image nationally, and I believe that this trial will destroy 30 years of work overnight.

 

 

DeLaughter, Bobby. Never Too Late. p.232

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Most powerful man in Miss. politics isn't the governor
Clarion-Ledger, February 17, 2002 •• 1859 words •• ID: jak2002022009068178
Capps: Behind the big cigar Veteran lawmaker has enormous influence after three decades of service By Sid Salter Clarion-Ledger Perspective Editor In Mississippi, the man behind the big cigar controls the purse strings of government primarily by listening. For Charlie Capps, it's eternal meetings, endless phone calls, more invitations to dinners, receptions, breakfasts, briefings and conventions than he can answer or accommodate - all extended by those seeking a portion of...

 

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1. House pays tribute to retiring veteran   Capps  

   The Biloxi Sun Herald - Mar 24 3:50   PM

   JACKSON, Miss. - The Mississippi House on Thursday honored its   most senior member, Rep. Charlie Capps Jr., who is retiring June 30.   "He's a true legend among us. He is an icon among public officials," Speaker   Billy McCoy, D-Rienzi, said as he was surrounded by members of Capps'   family.  
2. Last session for House giant Capps  
   The Clarion-Ledger - Mar 19 3:09   AM
   State Rep. Charlie Capps Jr., a gentlemanly Delta   lawmaker whose career spanned four decades, will retire from the Mississippi   House on June 30. Capps, 80, is the longest-serving member in the   House.