The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-09-21
The United States Court Adjourned


The Court adjourned on Monday. The exciting
case Of the United States Us. Arnlm, Crump and
Davidson charged With violation Of the revenue
laws resulted in verdict OF guilty, which was re-
turned by the jury, after dark, on Saturday even
ing. The case had Occupied ten days tune % OF s tne
vigorously. Three days we're taken up with
arguments to the jury, seven days having been
consumed in eliciting the testimony, and In dis
cussing and settling the numerous points OF diff-
Guilty in the pleading and evidence. Every inch
of ground was obstlnately contested. The coun-
sci for the defendants (Messrs. Easley, Perry
an6 Thomas, of Greenville, Gary, of Edge.
field, and Porter, Of Charleston) seemed well
fortified and confident in their lines OF defence,
while District Attorney Corbin, and his associates
Reed and Earle, were equally earnest and CONT
dent on their side and terribly aggressive In their
assaults upon the well defended positions OF their
opponents It was manifest TO the spectators that
both parties were after gaining two positions es-
sential to success, known as NE Bench and the
Jury Bon. After some severe skirmishing and oc-
caaonal heavy attacks from one and the otner
party to carry the Bench on their side IN legal
grounds, on clearing up of the smoke it was dis.
Covered with decided bearing to the law side, OF
the assailants The Bench could not be held by
the defence, and there was very Just alarm
On that side at the prospect, that Its great
wstsh1 snts against SD the he Bos now depended upon
as the final protection against the enemy. Strong
efforts we're made to defend this position against
the oyerpowering pressure, but wnen IN the eno
the whole force Of the Bench fell upon it, it was,
as usual entirely carried by the ASSISTANTS. The
defenders were, therefore, obliged to surrender at
discretion. It must be confessed that the Bench
rested at last as softly and tenderly upon the fallen
defendants as the nature OF the case permitted
The sentence Of tho Court was no more than was
absolutely required by law, but severe never
theless; the penalties and costs imposed amount
ING to twelve thousand dollars and upward, with
the alternative annexed that IL the same were not
H., rkio ohO m
one year each.
We would be glad to report something Of the
eloquent and able arguments OF counsel In thus
case, but neither space nor time permits The
efforts made on the occasion were well calculated
to add to the reputation Of the gentlemen engaged
most of whom are already very distinguished IN
this State. Major Corbin, the District Attorney,
is q new man in the Bar OF South Carolina, and it
may be proper to state that he exhibited forensic
talents well qualifying him for the able and efh-
cient performance Of his arduous and responsible
duties. In Justice to the defendants in the case,
it should be stated that their Characters were rep
resented as very respectable indeed; and many
who heard their case with considerable patience,
did not believe that they ought to have been con-
victed, while others who thought differently, re-
garded their offence as uninten6onsl, and not
corrupt violation Of the law.
We regret not being able to report the leading
points in the Judges charge, happening to be
absent at its delivery. The case turned very much
upon the construction OF the Revenue Act OF 1866,
in the outset of which distiller is defined to be
one who makes spirits by continuous distillation
ffom grain; thing calculated to mislead, because
In the body of the Act, only, appears clause in
dcating that dissillers generally should be liable
to special tax and certain penalties for not paying
it. The defendants in the case We have been al
luding to- distilled, according to the proof, only
molasses. There were counts in the indictment
for distilng in their vinegar works. for rectifying,
etc., which combined to swell the penalties, but
the heavy item was for the spirits distilled from
a. 70 waca saUy as
Of the Act of 1856, especially if unfortunately over
looking the other clauses which clauses their coun
sci earnestly argued did not alter the case.