The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-03-27
A Curious commission in Columbia

One of the most curious courts Of inqulr!
held in this State since the war, is now IN ses
sion in Columbia. Charges having been mace
by negroes in the convention and among LIZ
public, against Major T. B. Lee, the superln'
tendent of the penitentiary, to the ehece 'na
the treatment of tho convicts under MS cnai
was cruel and inhuman, General Candy lnstl'
tuted formal investigation to satisfy nimseil
with reference TO the truth or falsity OF the
allegations.
The court consists of Colonels Judd and
Guentber. and Lieutenant Chester. 1t assem-
bled on Tuesday morning, and witnesses 1oI
the government were called. Beverly Nash
testified that he had heard ''things," but on
going through the institution found that both
races we're treated alike. T. ]. Robertson said
he had signed the petition in the convention
praying for the removal o II. Lee, and the
appointment of ". B. Rose, the delegate from
York, because he (Robertson) was "Jack-
sonian in principle" and as the Republican
party would control South Carolina, he believ-
ed that to the victor belonged the spoils.
of his own politics.
Robertson further stated that he knew
nothing Objectionable in the administration OF
the penitensiary; had visited it twice and been
favorably impressed with the cleanliness and
fine appearance of the convicts, and the
system and good order which prevailed. Jack
Knox, negro, swore point-blank that more
than year ago he saw prisoners abused. He
was very definite about the time, and certain
with regard to the event; but the records OF the
institution will show that no convicts had
been received at that period, and until con-
siderable time thereafter. Another negro swore
that he saw a prisoner knocked down. He
was pressed for the name, and after thinking a
while said it was "Jack Gridiron." No such
euphonious or culinary name was ever heard
within the walls of the penitentiary.
Such is type of the testimony being intro
duced by Beverly Nash and his white and black
copartnsrs for the purpose of making political
capital and destroying the effectiveness OF
one of the best and best conducted institutions
in the Southern States. The whole thing is
farce from beginning to end-in other words
Impeachment" boiled down in a black and
dirty pot.
The question now pending is whether con-
vict testimony shall be introduced, and Major
Lee. desirous of allowing the widest latitude
to the investigation, has given his assent to
the proposition. It is proper to add that the
officers of the court are acting with great i'm
partially. and it is believed will render an
opinion based upon justice and truth, without
regard to the political questions which under
lie the whole matter.
Every member Of the convention who signed
the petition for the removal of Major Lee and
the appointment Of W. B. Rose, has been sum-
moned as a witness. MIR. Mackey writes beg
ging to be excused on account of business,
and because he does not know anything about
the matter. N. G. Parker says he signed the
petition to accommodate friend, and has no
evidence to give. Such is the general run Of
letters received What the convicts will say
remains to be seen; but it will not strike the
reat public as singular that the Radicals have
been compelled to resort to testimony Of this
character.
The next step in the programme-that is as
soon as the Legislature have met and removed
the present superintendent, who knows as little
about politics as any man in the State-wil be
to appoint negro guard, the reason assigned
being that the colored element in the peniten-
ksry is largely in the excess.