The New York herald., 1869-07-29
TIE AsTI-RENT OUTBREAK.
Revival of An Exciting COntr0versy-A
Republican View Of the Case.

Republican View Of the Case.
From the Albany Evening Journal-republican- =
July 27.]
Most sad and deplorabie was the murderous con.
ict which transpired yesterday within sight OF our
CITY, upon quiet farm about mile east Of the vii
lage OF Greenbush Deputy Sheriff or Rensselaer,
county and his posse-mainly composed OF Albl-
nians-were set upon by a band OF armed men,
while engaged In the service Of legal process. and
and one other. II Is believed fatally.
This outbreak revives interest in a prolonged and
most exciting controversy, which had almost come
to be regarded a thing Of the past-the resistance
Of o numerous tenantry In our own and adjacent
counties to the collection OF rental upon their
estates, under the old manorlal titles. In times
past this issue has been breeder OF physical stres,
St Geemed Of SUFFICIENT and to
hold the balance OF power between parties In the
State. Time was when the tenants had secret
organization numbering thousands OF men, who in
the disguise Of savages, and adopting savage
method Of warfare. undertook to accomplish by
force their sworn purpose OF defeating the claims OF
landlords. The militia has often been called out to
suppress them, and ''the Helderberg war;" "the
Sle WIN long 6e remembered We have az sT seen an
'anti-rent meeting' IN Rensselaer, county, at which
not less than persons were present OF course
by the existence Of this widespread and
feeling, and the secret history OF man9uvres by
'.Indan" vote would constitute an interesting
chapter But the struggle was unequal and main
tneir ands-not few their lives some found their
way to PRISON. The courts uniformly decided
against them. A desire Tor relef from tumult and
from sense OF insecurity began to prevail. Large
numbers OF the tenants compromised their claims,
though protesting against the gross injustice aud
years the 'antl-renters' have become less numerous
have abandoned their armed opposition, and only
occasional skirmshes between defaultng occupants
and disrrainng officers have indicated the continued
existence of o feud which the shocking events of
yesterday win again BRING prominence.
However the public may sympathize with the tenan-
try in opposition to the anti-democratc system OF
which they victims it can feel nothing but repro
his fellow assassins. Grggs AMI his posse were en-.
gagged In the performance OF duty. In seeking TO
take p.ossesson they We're justiaed by well settled
were perfectly well aware that forcibe resistance to
the process, In any degree whatever was criminal.
The only place In which they could egitlmatey fight
their cause was In the courts. Having deliberately
organized to shoot down. stab and beat the Sheriff
and his assistants, they must be held accountable
OF the wounded men die the crime Of which their as
saants are guilty comes under the definition Of
murder. IL Is to be hoped that they will be
promptly arrested II the civil authorities are
poweress to take them the Governor should order
the law must be indicated. That viii be sad day
when In this State deeds like those committed by
the ribbon societies and other oath-bound fraiern
ties OF murderers In Ireland go unpublished.
Three years ago bill was presented in the Legis
lature providing that the State should buy up the
landlords claims-which could be done on reason
able terms-and thus extinguish the titles II
passed the House, but failed III the Senate for want
Of time. we believed then, and still believe, that
this would have been just and wise settlement. Ii
we must pay so much to be rid OF q lingering relic
OF monarchical tyranny let the whole people gene
upon the shoulders OF farmers, most Of whom are
men OF small means, and have hard work enough
compelled TO clear OF from them the unpaid and ac.
cumulated rental of many years.
THE AFFRAY CAUSED BY AN OLD FEUD.
LFrom the Troy Whig, July 2sl
We publish an account OF the ARRAY last Monday
on the farm OF William Witbeck in Greenbush. The
stories told about 1t are not reliable, and the real
facts viii not be known until legal examination
can be had. The difficulty between Church and Will
liam Witbeck has been OF several years standing
difficulty with witbeck on the farm. and Church was
seriously hurt IN the scuie 1t appears that Church
be managed by Grggs, and his hired posse from
Albany. 1t is dsagreeable affair and ought not to
has asG resulted from the sn Mr. Grgss S However, o
badly wounded, and In precarious condition.
STATEMENT OF CITIZEN OF GREENBUsH.
quainled with william Witbeck called at this ONCE
yesterday afternoon and made substantially the fol-
willard Griggs, ne said, called on wItbeck in the
forenoon about eleven O'Clock, and requested HIN
to leave the PROMISES Witbeck replied that he was
against hun. but he would not surrender the premi-
ses.
He went to Albany, saw Church, ana arrangements
were made 10 hire gang or men TO aid IN forcble
dsposscssion. 1t Is said that they were paid three
dollars apiece 1t is said that Mr. Church hired the
when they came to the gate Leonard wltbeck
called on William to give up the premises william
replied that he would not surrender unless they
marched over his dead body. Our informant says
that Leonard then drew revolver and told William
to shut up his head-that II he said another word he
would blow his brains out: William then drew his
revolver. Both fired ct the same time and both
were wounded. Then the fight became general
There were but two rcvolvers on the side Of the
farmers party, and one OF them was unit for use
and was not used. They made use OF clubs ana
stones. The Sherir's party had several revolvers.
They came armed, intending to do mischief.
Our informant claims that when Deputy Grggs
dispOssessed william Witbeck last week, his pro-
cess was exhausted and he had no further power TO
act under IL, and that he had warrant nor legal
process on Monday. He also claims that Grggs,
even II he had legal process, was not accompanied
by legal power. The law requires that he should
In case OF resistance summon his posse from his
own county. He says that the gang from Albany
was mob and had no lawful right to enter the
premises.
He says that Griggs had previously acted contrary
TO law In the disp0ssesson OF two men in the town.
One farmer he put out OF his house when his execu-
t0n described premises quarter OF mile from tho
house and that In this case he acted without war
rant OF law.