The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-11
PICKET.
THE LAST OF THE REDD1NG CASE.
Severe Remarks OF CoIored Representa-
tives upon the Conduct OF MIR. SolIci'
tor seabrook-Dispatch the Bust
mess upon the Calendar.
[FRoa OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

COLUMBIA, March y.
In accordance with bis promise of yesterday,
Mr.. Jervey, this morning, proceeded to sub
stantiate his statement to the judiciary ccm-
mittee upon the investigation Of the Redding
case, that the resolution ordering that investi-
CATION was Inspired directly BY the open and
direct charges of bribery and corruption
against Judge Graham by Mr.. Solicitor Sea.
brook. The matter coming up as the special
order for one o'clock. Mr.. Jervey rose to
question of privilege and said:
In connection with this matter, propose to
show the falsehood Of the statement made by
the solicitor of my circuit; but before entering
Into this question of veractty between myself
and Mr. Seabrook, I will relate the circum-
stance which brought abont the conversation
between US. I met him on Thursday of last
week at the door of the House at about
eleven o'clock. He was talking with Mr..
George Richmond, but on seeing me he lett
him hurriedly, and approaching me, said he
wanted to talk to me about something par
ticular, and then took me to one side and re-
lated the circumstances Of the case he SAID
the Jury had found q verdict in favor OF the
railroad company, and the charge to the Jury
that they could not do otherwise.
he believed that the rulings OF the judge
were contrary to law, and that corrup-
tlon and bribery had been used, although
he has denied 1t in his testimony. Some time
after that he again spoke to me, aud said that
the Jury had brought In such verdict because
the Judge had been corrupt. That the whole
court was corrupt mat Inc 1udlcsary & OF our Sa
had taken exceptions to the rulings OF the
Judge, but tried to convey to my mind that the
Supreme Court could not remedy 1t. Could
misunderstand bis language? went to my
committee-room and thought the matter over,
and although am not lawyer, knew that
whatever charge the Judge might give to aju.
his honor as the solicitor OF the circuit, Mr..
Seabrook said, if not in 80 many words, that
the Judiciary department was corrupt from be-
ginning to end he went further and said
that ii 1t were necessary to produce
witnesses before the House or before com.
mittee appointed to Investigate the case,
he could show that bribery was used In the
that the judicial officers of my circuit are cor
rupt, feel that it is my bouDden duty to have
the matter investigated, and, therefore, In
troduced that resolution, 80 that, II Judge
Graham had done his duty, he might be eX-
onerated, and, If not, the people might know
1t. 1 considered the matter carefully, and
knowing that II 1t could be shown whether
Judge Graham was honest or corrupt, no bet
ter time could be taken than while the Legis.
lature was in session, 80 sent for one of the
solicitors of the House, and we drew up the
resolution. I stated the case In that reso.u-
tion lust as Mr.. Seabrook stated 1t to me, and
which he stated he was prepared to swear to,
although he has not now. the manhood to
stick to what he said. showed the resolu,
tlon to some of my friends, and some % Q!
them concurred In it, but others did
not. but came to the conclusion Inass some
thing should be done to exonerate the officers
of the court, or hold them up to public opin-
ion to condemn them as being corrupt. IN
consequence of that statement the resolution
was passed, and the committee appointed TO
investigate the matter. gave the committee
the names of the witnesses, and they were sum-
moned. On coming to the House yesterday
morning, received summons to appear
also. Idid not expect to have been compelled
to appear before that committee, because
| thought that Mr.. Seabrook was going In pub
i lie to stick up TO what he told me In private 10
this House. told the committee as far as !
can recollect what have told the House, as
thought, that this statement coming to me
from the source that it did, must be worthy The
consideration of the people and Representatives
from that county. He said to me that the
Legislature must do something IN this case,
and he said it In 80 many words, although ne
has denied it. When the resolution was read
Committee saw that he was uneasy, and he
asked that my statement should be read over
to him. az he WIS afraid to deny anything, but
wanted to wiggle round 1t just as he does 10
his testimony. will say right here that
every word Of his testimony Is base false
hood from beginning to end, and he knew
that he was swearing 10 falsehood when be
held his hand to Almighty God, and he will
have to appear before that great tribunal and
give an account of the oath he took yester
day. He says that I must nave mlsunaer
from the outside had induced them
to give their verdict. He never sale
snch words, but simply led me to believe thai
the jury, the judge and officers OF the co1r
were corrupt from beginning to end. HI
made the same statements to other members
of the House, and he knew they would, OF
their honor as members of this House, sub