The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-16
NEGRO MURDERERS RESPITED.
Governor Scott, Of South Carolina Defers the xx-'
ecution Of Two Atrocious Assassins- Alleged
Object Of the Delay-Mutterings Of
the People Against Abusing
Executive Clemency.

...r an COLUMBIA, 8. O., August Is, 181x
Governor Scott to-day interposed executive cien''
ency in behalf of two condemned negro murderera
who were to be executed tomorrow under CIR
curnstances in the highest degree reprehensible
and outrageous. The names Of the condemned men
are respectively Ned Harris and Bill Lucas. Harris
and confederate, whose sentence was last week
committed by the Governor nom death to nm
prisonment for life, brutally murdered an tnofen-
slve old man named Murphey, who was engaged -
pump tender at station on the South Caroina
Rairoad, q few miles from Columbia; their soi6
object was to get few dollars which they believoa
he had In his cabin.
THEY WERE CONVICTED
by Jury of their own color, who were 80 well saeas-
fed with the atroctty Of the crime that they did
not make recommendation to mercy, at least I'm
murder OF white man named simpson and tho
evidence showed that this too although having
the same motive as the first, was g wiifat
resistance to his powerful assaiant There
was but one sentiment resulting from the trial ex-
81 M % Hs se
in by all who heard the Testimony, that 1t was an
atrocous murder for which the guilty should suffer
the extreme penalty OF the law.
TOMORROW HAD BEEN NAMED
in the mandate OF the Court as the day OF cxecu-
received from the Governor that the execution Of
the sentence should DO suspended until the
cavil at any executive clemency towards crfnu-
inals which resulted from desire to anOrd
them the opportunity to prepare for solemn Issues
which the scatfOld prcsentS but In the presents
case, It Is alleged. executive clemency was exer-
cised for none other than
POLITICAL ErrEOr
among the negroes. 1t so happens that the Re-
publican County Nominating Convention meets to-
morrow the day upon winch the negroes were To
he hanged. The present republican Sheriff, =
candidate for reelection and hts chances are mono
Of the brghtest-was told by the negroes
that II he hanged the two culprits theiE
race would be so incensed against him that he
would lose their support and mis- opponent would be-
elected. Similar influences were brought to bear
on the Governor himself, and thus, for the pr0tec-
ton OF his and tue Sherds political Interest,"
II Is stated,
GOVERNOR SCOTT REsPITED THE TWO MURDBRERS
for two weeks. IL Is believed now that the sem
fences OF these CONDEMNED ieons will ultimately bo
COMMITTED, partly because they are negroes. Gov
ernOr Scott, say some OF the tnhabitanss Will be
answerable for much OF the crime which has be-
come rampant during his administration. for 1t can
be shown from the criminal records Of
the state that his abuse OF tho par
doning power has largely increased tho
criminal prosecutions OF every character In
all parts OF the State, and the objects OF his Glenn
ency have In the last cases been returned into th9
tails and Penitentiary whence he had delivered
them. The community Is constantly exposed to
every species OF vllany by which life and property
are jeOparsiized by pardoned cOnvcts and Scarcely
a week elapses which has not record ,of somof
murder, arson, outrage or lesser crime at tempted
or perpetrated by them.