The Republicans had dilated upon "local self-government" and the Populists had swallowed the bait.

The Legislature changed the form of county government, by which the board of county commissioners had been named by the justices of the peace, and made the board elective.

This turned over to the blacks counties in which several of the largest towns in the State were situated.

Negro politicians were chosen to office, and lawlessness and violence followed.

In Wilmington there was an uprising of the whites, who took possession of the city government by force.