The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-05-17

uo oolcOtou togtaAu 1GAOopH W. SSoSAs0s.
It has created considerable stir. Most
Of these cases consisted Of alleged infrao-,
tions OF the internal revenue laws, and
in the course of their examination the
jury discovered circumstances which. in
their opinion, warranted them in bring
ing the subject to the attention OF the
court. This they attempted to do on
Monday; by submitting the following
paper, which was intended as their pre-
sentiment:
CHARLESTON. May IL, 1878.
To the Hon. George s.. Bryan, United
States Districs Judge for South Caro-
lima:
The grand jury do not deem it proper
to make any apology to your Honor for
speaking as we do with the candor
which is the right OF American citizens.
The grand jury has been very much hur-
rted in its investigations at the present
term OF the court. by the opportunities
OF your Honor. on account OF principles
This has amounted almost to parsimony,
and probably has had the reverse effect
to what was contemplated by your Ho.
nor. A mass of corruption, having for
its object the plunder OF tho Treasury,
has been brought to light. and only want
of time and sufficient advantages to ex-
pose the whole plot now prevents your
grand jury from making full exposi-
ton Of the same. The grand jury has
been in session - working days, and
has examined - cases, comprising
witnesses. We have fonnd -
'true bills" and - mo bills" From
this statement. your Honor may Judge
OF the amount Of work the grand jury
have.pesformed, especially when you re-
member that in the cases returned "no
bill" an examination Of all the witnesses
endorsed upon the indictment was me-
oessary. In the cases returned "no bill"
We feel constrained to present for indict-
ment the prosecutors in the same, leav-
ing it to the District Attorney to select
such OF them as are most prominent.
In these cases, the jury are Of the OPT
MON that the prosecutors are more
guilty than the accused. The prose-
outors, knowing the United States law re-
lative to retailing liquors without
license, induced their ignorant and inof-
tensive neighbors to sell them the whis-
key which they kept for private use.
The object in all these cases seems to be
the private gain of tue prosecutors and
their friends in making their per diem as
Witnesses in these cases ont Of the Trea-
aury, and never for one moment has any
consideration of the public good been
recognized. T II appearsTto the jury that
these prosecutors are actnated in the
same manner as wonld be sane man
who induces an idiot to commit an rs.
Fsantt' and battery for shilling, ami then
sddb TO the endrmity of bis guilt by in
dicting the idiot before the Govern ment,
in hopes OF receiving reward. No one
oan doubt that. the sane man is moro
guilty. than his unfortunate dope. The
mass OF cases Of this description which
have come before your grand jury, is
some explanation Of the extrac rdinary
sz...,agance with which your Honor's
court is accused. and thorough exami-
nation. OF an official nature. into the
costs and charges against the Govern
ment in these and other cases perhaps
might show to the Government the
cause or causes for the extravagance
The stream Of corruption rises in every
little poisoned country spring, and is in
creased as it rolls along through the
Offices OF the commissioners Of your
court through the influence OF their own
RCo0o1oAy 1ubo1eoS W hH6tl Lu6 StIo8m .
Upon arriving at the District Attorney 8
Office il is unchecked, and the fees eris-
ing from the corruption are not declined,
but the papers made out and the costs
increased. Besides the officials subordi.
nate to your Honor, there appears to the
grand jury that others are taken into the
ring to defraud the Governm ent, and
the per diem certificates Of the poor
ignorant witnesses are purchased at q
heavy discount. In one instance, it was
proven that pay certificate for twelve
dollars was sold for FIVE dollars. Besides
the amount OF money thus made out of
the Government, 8, being the cx-
penses Of this term OF the court, to- be
divided among those who have CO ope-
rated, the door which this reckless sys-
tenn Of prosecution opens for black mail.
ing, the inducements for perjury which
have proddced two cases at this term of
the court calls for prompt action and an
early estoppel. The grand Jury are satis-
fed that any investigation into these
matters should be subject to your Honor
alone, and not answerable to any of your
subordinate officers whose perquisites
might have induced them to have been