The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-01-15
UNITED STATES DISTRICT CouRT.-HoN. GE'

UNITED STATES DISTRICT CoURT.-HoN. GEo.
8. BRYAN PREsDNa.-The Court met at IL A.
NJ, and the juries answered to their names.
In re John Thompson, of Spartanburg-Pe-
tition for voluntary bankruptcy. Onmotion OF
Messrs. Farrow & Duncan, the Judge signed
an order Of reference to W. ]. Clawson, Regis
trar Fourth Congressional District.
In re Laban @. Chappell, Of Fairfield Dis.
trict-Petition for voluntary bankruptcy. On
motion OF James q. Rion, the Judge signed an
order of reference to W. J. Clawson, Registrar
Of the Fourth Congressional District.
The case of tho United States us. John
Archer, for violation Of the internal revenue,
was then taken up, Asher D. Cohon, Esq, ap-
pearing for the defence. This case was similar
to that tried previously. The two informers,
Hubbard and Green, testified that they had
bought q jar Of pomade from Mr.. Archer, and
that it was unstamped. The defence alleged
that the stamp was affixed, or had dropped off
in handling, as the smooth surface Of the
china jar prevented it's adhering. MIR. Cohen
objected to the testimony Of the infor-
mers as incompetent witnesses, they being
interested in the result. Mr.. James Simons,
Jr., having been ret for similar
eases, stated that he would urge the
same objection, and requested permission to
state his reasons for this objection. The
Judge asserting, the question was argued by
both Of the counsel, and the points introduced
were so clear that the Judge overruled his pre-
yious decision and decided that the informers
could not testify, and if they did appear as wit
nesses they would forfeit their share OF the
penalty. The case was then continued, and,
after able arguments by the opposing counsel,
the Judge charged the jury. He thanked the
counsel for the defence for the clear manner In
which they had represented the law on the
subject of informcrs, but added that although
he had reversed his former decision, he con-
sidered tho law eminently wholesome. Reve-
nue. laws we're essential to the support of the
government, and if the people wished to main-
tain the honor and good faith Of that govern
ment the provisions of the law should be OBJ
served. 1t was the duty Of the jury to decide
between right and wrong, as the laws OF South
Carolina now permitted each party to testify.
He closed by showing how the law was to be
construed and the reasons that had caused this
Improvement on the former code.
After short absence the jury returned with
a verdict of not guilty.
The case of the United States Us. John
Hurkamp was then called, but was continued
until to-day at II A. M. Adjourned.
SrApg1Na AFFRAY.-About half-past o'clock
Yesterday evening two colored men entered
house of i'll repute on Elliott-street, and be-
coming noisy, were put out by Lewis Smith
and Hiram Oliver, also colored. In the melee
which ensued razor was drawn, and Smith
and ono Of the rioters, named Preston Thomas,
we're badly cut, Smith on the face and Preston
in the wrist. Oliver, who tried to restrain
them, was knocked down by a brickbat and
stunned. The parties who created the dis
turbance left the house, but were pursued, and,
with the aid OF the police, brought to the
guardhouse. Thomas and Smith were sent to
the hospital. The police were ordered to
Elliott-street, and on their way thither white
man was found in the burnt district badly cut
in the abdomen. He was quite intoxicated,
and could give no account Of himself. From
papers in his pocket it appeared his name was
Richard 3. Low, from Vermont, and it is
probable that he was engaged in the dis