Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-03-03
South Carolina.


The absence Of Justice Wright, the negro
member of the Supreme Court of South Caro-
lima. from the bench, yesterday, when the de-
cision involving Gen. Hampton title to the
C7overnorshp OF that State was to have beer
rendered, was mentioned 10 the Gazette of that
date The Columbia correspondent OF the
Baltimore Sun, OF this morning, throws the
following light on the subject:
"Willard entered the Court room alone and
said that lie had intended to give to-day the
results Of his OWE conclusions as to the haheas
corpus case involving the question OF the validity
Of Hampton's pardon Of filda Norris, but ow-
ing 20 the abscuce of member OF the court,
Justice Wright, he was unable to do so as the
court could not be convened. He could dis,
cover 20 reason for the absence Of his associate
who was in lowu yesterday. lie said he would
raduce to writing and place on fle at an early
date the results at which he had himself ar
rived. He adjourned the court until Monday
morning at II CLOCK.
Judge Willard has caused the original order
sil Md by himself and Wright 20 be placed Oh
the record of the court, aud it is probable IIlda
Norris will be set at liberty. The Issue now
rests with the circuit judges, who are to recog
DlZe or lgoOrc the JOINT oTueF.
Gov. Hampton has given your correspon'
dent an interesting account OF 40 lnterVie"
which be had with Wright on Tuesday last.
Wright cane uDinvited, and entered the execu,
tive office by the stairway 10 the rear. tic saio
to the Governor that he had come to the con-
cluson that if he followed the law he could only
render decision in his favor, but that he had
been threatened with death if he did. 10 this
| the Governor replied that there was 40 danger
of the threat being executed. Wright said at
apy rate he would nave to leave the State.
| The Governor replied to this that there was no
necessity for flight and supported his assur-
ance by the remark that if Wright had to
leave he would accompany him.
| Wright thought he would have to 70 Tor q
few days anyhow, and added that he had no
money to 70 on. The Governor placldly re-
marked to this that his salary was here. and he
had agreed to pay the judges any quarter due
after his inauguration. Wright had been
drawing his salary monthly siuce date from!
the Hampton government. Wright remarked
that some back salary was also due him, aud
the Governor replied that he had nothing to
do with that. -,
Mr.. Wright then said very significantly, IL
want to read you paper where they charge
you with having offered 100000 for my de-
cisiou." This child like ntimalion the Gov
ernor met with an emphatic you can 90 tc
the devil | would not buy any Of you.
was told could buy over certain Senators te
recognize me in the Legislature, but L toIc
them | didn't propose TO use any money io'
that purpose.
After some further conversation Wright left
after repeating his remark that 10 bis opinion
HAMPTON was elected, and if he (Wright) FOL
lowed the law he could but officially recognize
him. Wright then excused himself 90 the
ground that the recess had nearly expired, ano
he must attend court. AD hour later be hac
signed the order releasing Iilda Norris, and re-
coguizlug Hampton.
The Governor thinks Wrights subsequent
conduct gives the more force to his decision and
he does not speak at all harshly of him, but
considers his reeantation the natural result OIL
powerful political Influences and threatening
pressure excrted by desperate partsaDs upon q
weak man. 1t is believed that Wright is score
ted 10 the city, and it is rumored that he has
50 far awaked to sense OF his error as to be
anxious to retract his rccantation.
Chief Justice Moses's condition is such"a as
almost to preclude any hope Of recovery. Gov.
Hampton this morning expressed confident
assurance that the chief justice would have rem
dered decision 10 his favor 90 Saturday last
but for his iiiue$s.
The news of President Grants population
Of! Packard is hailed with general joy here.
The President had very interesting COVER
sation yesterday, with Gen. Gordon on South
Carolina affairs. Gen. Gordon appealed to
him to take the same action with regard to
South Carolina as be had in Louisiana to-day.
The President said he had not yet made up biz
mind concerning South Carolina; that Cham
berlain had DOT given him much trouble, and
he hoped that the courts would be able to set
tie the matter without any interference on hi:
part. He said also that perhaps it would be
best for him to see Governor Hayes and ascer,
tain his views about the rrOpriety Of withdraw
ing the troops. He said further that it was
possible that on reflection he might to. morrow
conclude to issue the orders asked for 10 South
Carolina, but be could not say for certain. He
expressed desire to take such action IN both
of these States as was right, and as would meet
the approval of the country.