Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-07-04
Revenue O.,tragcs.

Tho troubles in the up country, growing out
of tho alleged lawless conduct Of revenue Off.
cials have become fruitful theme. At the
spring term Of court for Piokens County
Judge Maokey appointed committee of three
from the Grand Jury who should cit from time
to time, examine witnesses and report fully
all expressions and unlawful conduct by reve-
nue. officers committed under the cover OF, but
outside their Office and duties as officials This
hos been done and report made and pub
lished that shows a series of wrongs and
expressions by these officials, which few
people would tolerate so long. We know this
committee to be composed of men of intelli-
gence and high standing in Pickens, and we
cannot doubt the dark tale of wrongs they set
out Us inflicted on the people of that County,
in nearly every instance of which the names
of respectable witnesses are given to establish
the statement. Truly these officials seem to
have "set at defiance oil local laws" and to
have become law unto themselves. Truly
do they appear ITO hold our State laws and
courts in tho most supreme contempt" when
these outragcs have been going on for months
by day and by night, without check. Truly
may we say with the Grand Jury, "there is
point beyond which 6rbearance censes to
stopped, the people aoiN Of their own Uolition
deuise the means to protect their families and
their frcsides from insult and oppression"
The question is no longer on open one.
Newspaper statements and cosnter statements
do not meet the issue. The Grand Inquest
of the County have spoken from sworn
testimony and their report is record Of law.
lessness. oppression, and abuse Of official
power unparalleled in tho history Of free
people. 1t cannot be answered by denial. It
cannot DO met but in tho courts and through
sworn testimony. This thing must be stopped.
These officials must bo taught that the citizens
Of county have rights they arc bound to
respect. We know these officers are engaged
in an unpopular calling For that reason wo
have been slow to arraign or condemn them.
We feel that liquor making and liquor selling
in violation of law should bo stopped, but we
are satisfed this can mover be accomplished
by )awlessnoss on tho part Of those entrusted
with this business. The liquor laws are harsh
when enforced within the strict letter of their
provisions. A technical violation is construed
crime and cannot be removed by absence OF
intention. Poor mon, who may make little
for medical purposes, are hold guilty Men
who sell it in emergencies to save life are held
guilty. Men who may suffer q friend to bring
a keg into their houses. not knowing its con-
tonts, If found there with liquor in it, are held
guilty. On the slightest suspicion men are
arrested upon warrants and taken before
commissioners and discharged for want o.
proof, without any remedy for the wrong done
them. AS If this was not enough, we now
hear men are arrested without warrants, thei,
houses searched, theic families insulted aht
themselves taken twelve and twenty miles
when no proof Of guilt can be adduced. W.
ihaye witnessed tho enforcement of this Law
under regular warrants, and too often it i
clearly a strike for money by the marshals
without regard to the public good or tn,
punishment of offenders. We have seol
persons arrested and bound ovor who, OF
preliminary examination, came out without
suspioion of proof or probability Of probabl,
cause. We have seen oasos whore two out o
the three Witnesses sworo they did not know
the defendant md never saw him until tn
day Of stho preliminary examination. w
know many cases, which, If brought so olearl.
without probable cause in the State courts
would subject the prosecutor to suit for crimi
& nal prosecution. The marshals are Otter
pcouniariiy irresponsible, and strike right ant