The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-03-18
Judqe Cooke and the Greenvllle Daily
News.

verdicts of "not guilty" to be rendered in GER
tain cases against J. N. Runion, late County
Auditor. Spicy paragraphs were distributed
over several columns, and Immediately below
the regular proceedings this sentence: with
out the fear or favor of any man, we offer the
following comments" and then follows half
column of blank space, which must have been
irritating and annoying to the last degree
When the Court met on Friday morning,
Judge Cooke directed the grand jury to retire
end present Mr.. A. M. Speights, of the Green
Vile Daily Ne,vs, for libel against Mr. j. M.
Runion, and said he felt this to be his duty,
although he ignored anything contained in the
Ne,Os that affected the Court Speights had
treated him to a blank half column, and we
suppose that his Honor was merely oxchang-
ing compliments by ignoring Spe:ght's sallies
against the Court. But the newspaper was
handed to the grand jury, with one Of the para
graphs pointed out as containing libelous mat
ter, and they retired for its serious considera-
ton. These proceedings at once excited a
great interest," and we are informed that the
intelligence attracted large numbers to the
Court House, every one forsaking business and
rallying to the front, anxious to learn the
latest developments of this sensational pro-
ceedings. When the grand jury returned with
their presentment, which contained not word
about the News, the excitement was breathless
and intense Judge Cooke was equal to the
occasion, however, and again instructed the
grand jury to retire, and remain in their room
until conclusion was reached in the libel
case. The grand jury were docile enough to
obey the mandate, and in short time returned
with document, stating that "the grand jury
have carefully considered the paragraph in the
Greenville Daily News, and find nothing in it
to warrant action on their part"
On hearing the presentment, Judge Cooke
waxed exceeding wroth, and said that the
grand jury had been remiss in the discharge of
duty and disobeyed the instruction of the
Court; he did not know whether he would
hold them any longer, and instructed the Clerk
to make out their pay certificates This decla-
ration was reversed instantly, and he gave
them the privilege to retire and consult wheth.
er they would reconsider their decision, which
resulted in the grand jury refusing to amend
their decision of the matter. This excited
anew the indignation and wrath of his Honor,
who declared that he would hold the grand
jury from day to day until action was taken in
the libel case, and he would require them to
serve without pay This closed the extraordi-
nary proceedings of Friday, which were COM
mented upon with exceeding plainness by the
News, and the effect was complete back down
of Judge Cooke when the grand jury appeared
before him on Saturday morning. He ac-
knowledge irritation on the previous day, and
said that he did not desire to encroach upon
their p.erogatives, after which the grand jury
were discharged.
The case is peculiarly interesting to newspa-
per publishers, but it is likewise important to
the people. The position assumed by Judge
Cooke was indefensible and unwarranted from
the outset. The libel against Runion was none
of his business, since Mr.. Runion was able to
make complaint before the grand jury. He is
the editor Of the Greenville Republican, and is
able to meet speights on equal ground in this
respect; he is not an orphan under the especial
guardianship of the Court, and his recent con-
duct as County Auditor does not evince much
respect for law and order, since Judge Cooke
imposed fine upon him for dsobedience of
an order made at the November term. Bro.
Runion was able to take care Of himself, there
fore, and Judge Cooke was not warranted in
interposing for his protection. Yet, this is
slight and trivial compared to the peremptory
and unprecedented order of Judge Cooke, in
directing the grand jury to violate their oaths
and consciences by presenting the Daily Ne'0s.
The members of the panel deserve commenda'
ton for their frmness and intrepidity, in re-
sisting the mandate Of an infuriated Judge,
whose temper overcame all decency and pro-
priety, when he declared that these men must
serve without pay until their minds and con-
sciences anbended to his imperious and haugh-
ty will. Such proposition deserves the un-
qualified censure and rebuke of all good citi-
zens, and the grand jury would have acted
consistently in presenting his Honor for inter-
fering with their rights and prerogatives as
sworn officers of the Court We are glad the
termination of this unhappy affair does not
call for further condemnation, and yet we can
not refrain from freely expressing our convic-
tions on the subject. We must resist tyranny
in whatever form it appears, and when the
judiciary seeks to interfere with freedom OF
speech and freedom of thought, it is time for
manly and uncompromising resistance.
Executive FavOrS.
President Grant has shown disposition,