The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-07

county. Referred 10 the Coulinlttee ou incoi
The Speaker announced as Medical Commit
tee Messrs. Boseman, Neagle, Wilson, R. NJ.
Smith and DOYLE.
A bill to facilitate the drawing of jurors in
this State was taken up, read the third time,
passed and ordered to be sent to the Senate.
A Joint resolution authorizing the treasurer
to pay DR.. Alfred Raoui S5l5 for services as as
furnished, was taken up, read the third time,
nassed. and ordered to be sent to the Senate.
In the Senate to-day, Wright gave notice Of
a bill to require sheriffs who have collected
taxes and have not paid them over in accord
ance with law, to make settlement of the same.
Cain asked and obtained the unanimous con-
sent Of the Senate to introduce, without pre-
vious notice, bill to extend an act regulating
private corporations in this State.
The Bill was read first time, ordered for
consideration on Monday, and to be printed.
Hayne asked and obtained leave to intro
duce, without previous notice, bill to author
ize the consolidation OF the Charlotte , and I'M
lumbia and Augusta Railroad Company, and
to amend the charter OF the same.
The Bill was read first time, ordered for
consideration on Monday, and to be printed.
Mr. Hoyt introduced the following concur
rent resolution:
RESOLVED, That two hundred copies of the
o.
be printed for distribution among the patrons
of the institution, and for circulation among
other similar institutions. Ordered for con-
side ration on Monday.
In the United States Circuit Court, this
morning, after the disposal OF several motions
of course in bankruptcy, the court proceeded
to the consideration OF the case OF the United
States vs. Vim. McGuinnis, for violation of the
internal revenue law, in selling box OF sar-
dimes without having affixed stamp.
Hon, D. T. Corbin, U. S. District Attorney,
appeared for the United States. Slmuel W..
Melton, Esq. for defendant.
The case occupied the attention OF the court
the entire day up to the hour OF adjournment,
at P. NJ. The ju!y returned verdict of mot
guilty"
The defence turned chiefly on the character
of the informer, and was vigorously and ably
conducted by Mr.. Melton. The proceedings
we're somewhat new and novel in their charac-
ter. The defendant availed himself of the ex-
tended right Of challenge. allowed in cases of
msdemeanors, and challenged ten of the
Jurors peremptorily. The District Attorney
the attention OF the court recent act of the
present Legislature, pass ed at the special ses-
sion, which act allows a more extended right
of challenge for cause than has heretofore ex-
listed. 1t gives the right of challenge for cause
where juror has formed o bias or prejudice.
Under this act MIR. Corbln claimed and called
upon the court to have juror sworn and ex-
amined touching his bias and interest. The
juror, in consequence of this examination, was
set aside by the court. Another juror who
was sworn and examined as to his bias, said
he had none, and was sworn in as juryman.
In the progress OF the case, William Showers,
distinguished colored Democratic orator,
was put upon the stand by the defence. In
order to discredlt the character Of this wit
ness, the District Attorney examined in re-
ply Edwards, q coal black man, who testified
he would not believe Showers upon his oath.
When pressed by counsel for defence to give
his reason, he admitted that it was because
Showers had been member of the Union
League and had taken an oath to support the
Republican party. In q few days after taking
the oath he withdrew from the party, thereby
violating his solemn obligations.
His Honor Judge Bryan has been arduously
employed in daily lengthy sessions for the last
two weeks, and his untiring attention will be
required for the next three weeks i'll disposing
Of the mass OF business before the court.