The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-10-28
TIE RANDOLPH MURDER.
PubIic Mectios IN Anderson-Recep option
of Governor Scott's Proclamation
Strong Resolutions.

A large and respectable number Of the citi-
zens of Anderson assembled in the Courthouse
on the 22d instant, to consider the charges of
Governor Scott against that district, as con-
tanned in his proclamation OF the 21st instant.
The meeting was organized by calling Judge
Munro to the chair, and W. W. Humphreys to
act as secretary. Upon motion, committee
was appointed to take into consideration the
proclamation of Governor Scott, and to report
to an adjourned meeting. Under the motion,
the following gentlemen were appointed: Cap
tain E. L. Parker, John Wilson, Esq, DR.. T.
A. Evins, Rev. W. D. Beverly, Rev. Samuel A.
Webber, Judge J. S. Murray, A. T. Broyles.
Rev. ". E. Walters, and VIM. McGuldn, Sher-
iff of the district. On motion, Judge Munro
was added to the committee. The meeting
then adjourned to meet on the following day,
at II o'clock, to hear the report Of the COM
mittee.
OCTOBER 2S.-The meeting, pursuant to adj
10 lrnment, reassembled in the court room,
when tho following report was submitted by
the committee, through its chairman, and
unanimously adopted:
We, the undersigned, committee in behalf
of the citizens Of Anderson County, to whom
the proclamation of Governor Scott Was re-
ferred, beg leave toreport that, strange and in
credible as such charges may appear to us, we
will not undertake to soy that information OF
the same character has not been coaveye1 10
the Executive Department, IN relation to this
county: especially when we know that there
are so many motives, for party purposes, to
misrepresent.
Your committee have spared no pains in in
vestigating each and every one OF the charges,
and, with confidence, declare that they arc as
utterly groundess as they are false: In no III
stance have the ''officers OF the law been set at
defiance?' and, as to the allegation that peace
full and unofendng citizens are murdered IN
cold blood and The murderers not only permit
ted, but aided to escape from justice" we posi-
lively affirm that there has not been homl-
eide committed in this county since, and for
some time before the Inauguration OF Cover
nor Scott. Your committee do not know what
is intended by the charge that families have
been forced to abandon their homes through
fear of violence" nor do we know OF an instance
in which the authority OF the State Govern
ment has been denied"
Your committee arc perfectly satisfied that
peace and good order are earnestly desired by
the people OF this, county; and, as the pest
means OF securing the same, that they are de:
termined to yield obedience to the authority OF
the State government, unless it be changed by
peaceful and constitutional means.
Iu leference TO tho charge of "threats Of
violence, and even of death, against prominent
members of the Republican party who shall
attempt to visit this county for the purpose OF
discussing the political questions OF the day, !"
YOUR committee beg leave to submit the follow
ing statement:
B. f. Randolph, who was lately murdered in
Abbebile District, at Hodges Depot, did
twice visit this county for the discuss ion Of
political issues notwithstanding the intama-
tory nature of his raagues-witlout let, mo
lestation or hlndrance or any kind; and lie
was actually on his way to this county for the
purpose of delivering other addresses, when
the said murd:r was commit "a. On inc
same day, Mr.. Hoge, the Republican candl-
date for Congress, addressed the citizens Of
this place; and, aJ the close Of his remarks,
compplimented the citizens OF the county Tor
the kind reception he had met with, and assur'
ed them of the grateful feelings which he en-
tertained towards them. But your committee
have been informed that, on the night follow
ing his address, and after the reception OF the
news of the murder OF Randolph, Mr.. Hcge
left this place, as your committee would sub
nit. without any Just grounds OF apprehen-
sion. to take passa., on the cars OF the Green
vile and Columbia Railroad, at q point above
this place, for Columbia. Your committee are
satisfied that this circumstance, Grounu'ess us
hIr. Hoge's fears may have been, IS the only
shadow of 'pretcxt for charge Of opposition
to free discussion of political issues by men,
Der # the Republican party"
O.. a prior occasion, Mcssrs, Sawyer, Cham
berla.n and Mackey visited this county, and, in
the Courthouse and other sections, delivered
their harangues without molestatio1. In ad.
dltion to this fact, resident Radicals have held
constant meetings in this county without diff
Guilty or interruption.
AS to the charges of threats said to bo made
by s'pcrsons calling themselves Democrats, not
to permit their political opponents to vote at
the ensuing electlon;' Of the importation and
secret distribution of fire arms and the .'ct-
fort, by abuse and intimidation, to deter color
ed persons from the exercise of the elective
franchise" your committee, after careful and
diligent investigation, affirm, without heslta-
ation, that no such state of things exist in this
county; nor do they know of any "picketing OF
the public highways" in a single instance, IN
this county. by the Democrats of the same,
Your committee, being impressed with the
serious nature OF the charges preferred, have
thus earnestly and carefully investigated the
condition OF affairs in this county, and are
fully satisfied that the statements made IN this
t,rfQ