New-York tribune., 1868-01-01
TENNESSEE.
THE CASE or BROwNLOV ACT. SNEED AND
OTHERS,

Prom The Knoxville Whlg.
This case has assumed complicated form,
and in lis various branches haA excited considerable at
truun; and the recent decisions made IN by hs OnUr
J,1eJ RIG, have IN a certain extent public Interest.
iGe or,eial smit was brought BY attachment by
IrUwhlOw 10 recover damages for bis arrest imprson'
ent and naraimeut by the Rebels OF Knoxville dur
ing me war The Jury In that gave verdict for
$1,000 damages against T. H. Reynolds john H. Croker
VIM. H. sneed, and uuder this Judgment the property ad-
jour the Lamar House. and other valuable property,
sold After the return OF peace the various deiend-
ants came back Knoxville and Instituted various pro-
ceedngs to their property Among other pro-
cr.diugs number Of ectnet suits were commenced III
the United States Court the part Of CrOzer and Rey
nods aust purchasers Of the property above men
record Of the cae To the supreme Court by writ error
and also took appeal from tho decision made Dy Judge
While Tins appeal and writ Of pending In
the supreme Court Mr. snced filed petition III the SUI
prrme Court praying that the causes might be trans
ferred from the Supreme Court OF Tennessee 70 the Cir
cult Court of tho United States under recent act OF
Congress providing for such transfer IN certain cases
The Supreme Court granted the petition and sent the ap
peal and writ OF error TO the Uned States Court the
present term of the last named Court the cOnhsei i0r
docket on the ground that they were Improperly sent
there and that tho Circuit Conrt OF the United States
could Jurisdiction OF causes pending in The sli-
Judge Trgg aud the ordered to be sent back to the
supreme Court Of Tennessee. About the time
mentioned, sneed also filed bill in Chancery
In the Circuit Court of tho United states, charging
that che Judgment above mentioned void, aud pray
ing that might be set aside and held for naught de-
nuuer filed to this bill on behalf OF Gov brownioY
which for argument short time since, and was
argued by Mcssrs. Nelson. ChampOn ana Andrews Tor
Gov BrownlOw, and by Mcssrs. SBeed Deaderiek, aud
Crozler for Mr.. sneed 1t was claimed on behalf OF MT
sneed that the Judgment in question was void Tor certain
IRE guarties In the proceedings IL contended for
Gov. Brownlow that the Judgment was valid ana Dindng
and that In any the Circuit Court OF the United
states had power jurisdiction TO sci aside Juds
ment rendered n State Court. Judge Trgg held tba
as Judge United states Court he had the authority
Jurisdiction 10 make decree az 10 the vady OF te
Judgment lie further decided that npon Tho fact SHOWN
10y the bill the judgment was void for the reason that tho
affidavit upon which the atGchaen was Issued w's IN
sufficient, aud not such affidavit ~ would authorize
the issuing of the attachment. lie therefore olerrued
tho demurrer and ordered that the defendant answer e
bill. .
without expressing any opinion ~ 10 the correctness OF
tho decision OF His Honor Judge Trgg II Is sufficient 10
say BTowplow 10 determined that justice shall
be done him for the outrageous wrongs infiicted
upon him by the leading Rebels Of Knoxville. and
that with that view he has recently eoniincrced o
new action Of tespass against William H. sheed'
John II. CrOzcr. r. Il. Reynolds, and j. q.
Ramsey laying his damages at s4ooo0 in which action
the defendants will have the opportunity 70 contest II
they can question Of their Liability for some OF the
various acts of wrong and outrage committed oy them
and their Rebel adeTs and abettors on behalf OF the de
fuuCt COnfodUracy.