The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-03-16
The Apprehended Difficulty in York.

We alluded, yesterday, to some
rumors from York District, relative
to popular interference with the re-
gular proceedings of Court for that
District AS there has been some
interest excited by the rumors, we
give the following statement from the
Yorkville Enquirer, which is authen-
tic. The presentment of the Grand
Jury is an excellent document:
we regret to state that an un-
looked-for and extremely unfortunate
interruption in it's business occurred
the first day, by the exhibition, on
the part Of some disaffected citizens,
Of 8 disposition to stop the progress
of the Court by violence. At the re-
cess, his Honor was waited upon by
committee, consisting of several citi-
zens, who, we are informed, commu-
nicated to his Honor that the people
Of the District were determined that
the Court should not proceed with
its business, and that violence would
be resorted to, if necessary, to pre-
vent it. His Honor, on returning to
his seat in the afternoon, brought
the matter to the attention of the
Grand Jury, and directed all imme-
diate inquiry as to the extent to which
this spirit of disatfection prevailed,
and whether there existed any organi-
zation of persons who were deter
mined to resist the holding of the
Court. The excitement seemed for
a time to run high, and fears of
popular violence were at one time
threatening; but the direction given
to the matter by his Honor seemed
to allay the excitement, and all seem
ed disposed to await the report of
the Grand Jury. The report was
read next morning to large and in
tensely interested auditory; and we
are pleased to add, that in vindica-
ton of the fair fame of York District,
as an orderly and law abiding people,
| it was well received and accepted as Il
proper termination of the unfortunate
affair. This report will be found be-
low, being published by order Of his
| Honor:
Our inquiries induce us to believe
that the conception of this Interrupt
ton sprang altogether from the bank
rupt condition of our people, who,
finding themselves hopelessly jmpo-
verished, are restive under the efforts
Of creditors to enforce payment out
of the meagre remnant of their for
mer estates. Representations were
made that the like measures had been
| f1,11 Cd 70
tricts; that the Legislature, in failing
to provide for the relief of the peo-
/ pie, had necessitated the taking of
the remedy in their own hands; that,
under the recent legislation of Con
gress, the courts of the State are
without authority; and that the at
tempt to render and enforce iudc-
nents was an unwarranted oppres-
sion. We are satisfied that the
movers III this matter contemplated
nothing further than to prevent the
rendering of judgments, and that,
with this thought filling their minds,
they overlooked the magnitude of the
evils which would ensne from the
condition OF lawlessness and social
disorder into which we would be
| thrown
We express what We believe to be
now the opinion OF every one, that
the purpose OF violent interruption
WAS confined to but few misguided
persons, and is now regretted even
by those who we're most active in it.
The business of the court IS now
quietly going forward We learn
that, on the civil side, little, if any
thing, can be done beyond the call of
the summary process docket, which
is very heavy and much litigated. In
the sessions, bills Of indictment have
been found for the offence of bur
glary in two eases, and for the offence
Of larceny in one case. The trial of
these cases will, we learn, complete
the sessions business.
To his Honor Julge Mmu.o:
The Grand Jury of York District,
to whom was referred by your Honor,
to inquire whether there was any or
ganized band of men in this District.
prepared and disposed to resist the
administration of justice, by stopping
forcib)e the action of the Court of
Common Pleas and General Sessions,
now sitting in said District, report:
That after rs diliScnt ali in4niry as
time permitted, and after being in
formed by Mr. William G. Black, the
chairman of the committee which
waited upon your Honor, that, so far
rs he knows, no combination exists,
| the Grand Jurv. mindful of tbair