The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-03-07
The Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court in the Tilda
Norris, in the absence of the Chief
Justice, on the 9th ultimo, granted an
order for the release of the prisoner
on Gov. Hampton's pardon, thus es-
tablishing Hampton's p%ardoning pow
cr. Immediately after this decision
became known there was great on
sternation among the leaders Of the
negro party in this State, and various
Of their champion bulldozers proceed
ed at once to interview Associate JUS
tice Wright, and brought such
influences to hear upon him that he
made e.n attempt to set aside the de-
cision of the Court, consisting Of HIM
felt and Associate Justice Willard.
The first decision was made and sign
ed in consultation with Willard,
when no others were present, but it
is supposed that Wright lacked the
nerve to stand to his honest coAvic-
tions, and succumbed to the bulldozing
of his political allies. Wright has
been very severely criticised for this
act Which virtually annuls the action
of the Court, in sustaining Hampton,
in that his future absence from the
Court room will fail to give US any
Supreme Court at all. Judge Moses
being ill with paralysis, in the absence
of Judge Wright the remaining Judge,
Willard, will be unable to organize
the Court for the present. Just before
signing the order releasing Tilda
Norris, Judge Wright called at the
executive office, and a correspondent
of the News and Courier, after some
common place remarks, he said to the
Governor:
Gle had come to the conclusion that, if
he followed the law, he could only render
Il decision in his favor, but that he had
been threatened with death if he did. To
this the Governor replied that there was
no danger of the threat being executed.
Wright said that ut any rate he would
have to leave the State. The Governor
replied TO this that there was nc necessity
for flight, and supported his assurance by
the remark that if Wright had to leave he
would accompany him. Wright thought
he would have to go for a few days my
how, and added that he had no money to
go on. The Governor placidly remarked
to this that his salary was here. and he
had agreed to pay the judges every quar-
ter due after his inauguration. Wright
had been drawing his salary monthly
since that date from the Hampton govern
mcnt.) Wright remarked that some back
salary was also due him, and the Cover
nor replied that he had nothing to do with
that.
Wright then said very significantly, 81
want to read you a paper whore they
charge you with having offered 500, 0UU
for my decision" This child-like init
nation the Governor met with an en-
plIatic, ~ would not buy any of you. I
was told l could buy over certain sena-
tors TO recognize me in the Legislature;
but I told them to go to tho devil; I
didn't propose to use any money for That
purpose"
After some further conversation Wright
left after repeating his remark that in his
opinion Hampton was elected, and if he
Wright) followed the law, he could but
oillSidlly lCCOSlllLC Hill. NllSIlt llltI
excused himself on the ground that the
recess had nearly expired, and he must
attend Court. An hour later he had
signed the order releasing Tilda Norris,
and recognizing Hampton.
The Governor thinks Wright's suisse
quent conduct gives the more force to
his decision, and he does not speak all
harshly of him, but considers his rccan-
tation the natural result of powerful po-
litical influences and threatening pres
sure, exertcd by desperate partisans upon
Il weak man. In this verdict, / believe
all intelligent citizens concur. No man
is surprised, and Wright could walk the
streets to-day free from any greater vio-
lcnce than glances of pity and meritcd
contempt. 1t is believed he is sccrcted in
the city, and it is rumOrcd that he has so
far awakened to a sense of his error as to
be anxious TO rctract his rccantation.