Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-08-01
the following is telegraphed from Washington
under date Of july 26:

tne following Is stelegrapneo from W asnlngton
under date Of July 26:
A decision was reached to-day in regard to
the South Carolina revenue cases by the
President, which will have the effect of raising
a square issue between the Federal govern
ment and the State government of South Car.
olina. Special counsel Earle arrived here to.
day from South Carolina to consult with At
torney General Devens in regard to the case.
After Cabinet meeting was concluded, Gener-
al Devens and Mr.. Earle had long confer
ence with the President, when the case was
thoroughly discussed in all its bearings. 1t
was decided to call Secretary Evarts to the
conference, and to hear his view as to the law
and the duty of the general government un.
der the circumstances. Secretary Evarts
took the position that the Federal authority
must maintain its sovereignty and its right to
dispose of the cases before its own courts
without interference by the State authorities,
and that Government should proceed to act
at once under section 643 of the revised stat
utes, and to have the cases removed under
said section 20 the Circuit Court of the Uni
ted States.
After further discussion and interchange
of opinions the President decided to accept
the view taken by Secretary Evarts, and not
to let the cases 90 to the Supreme Court of
the State on appeal. The necessary instruc.
tions have been given to carry the decision
into effect. Mr.. Earle left here tonight for
Baltimore to see Judge Bond, who is the
United States Circuit Judge of South Caro-
lima, and to arrange with him to 60 to South
Carolina at once and hold special term Of
court, so that the cases can be removed from
the State Court. and the imprisoned revenue
officials released on bail.
Great interest is manifested in these pro-
ceedings here by Federal officials, and the
belief is shared by many that Judge Ker-
shaw will not acquiesce in the step about to
be taken, and that the State officials will not
surrender up the four revenue officials to the
United States Marshal in response to the
summons of the Circuit Court. If this course
is pursued an open conflict and resort to
armed force on the part of the Fedora au-
thority would seem to be inevitable.
1t is no secret that both the President and
Attorney General Devens have been inclined
for day or two to allow these cases to 60 to the
Supreme Court of the State Of South Carolina,
on appeal without resorting to the alternative
agreed upon to-day. Both of these individu-
ais have wanted to avoid conflict if possible,
and Attorney General Devens in speaking
Of the case said he saw no reason for bring
ing about an issue with the State govern.
ment He was disposed to take the conser.
vatve course of letting the case be disposed
of by the South Carolina courts in regular
order, and thus avoid any feeling between
the Federal and State officials. The calling
of Secretary Evarts into the case, however,
has led the President to adopt the other course,
and to risk an issue with the State authorities
1t became known to considerable number
of Republicans that the President was in.
cined to let the State Courts settle these cases,
and no little feeling was produced in conse
quence. which would have manifested itself if
the President had not adopted Secretary
Evarts' view of the matter. 1t was freely
charged by Republicans to-day that the Pres
ident and Attorney-General Devens we're ex'
hibiting cowardice in dealing with this ques-
ton, and that they we're afraid of Governor
Hampton and the effect of an issue with him
upon the country at large. Republican poll
ticians are now thoroughly satisfied with the
line Of action agreed upon, and say that if
the State authorities attempt to resist the
Federal authorities in attempting to carry into
execution section 643 that it will have an ex.
cellent effect throughout the North, and great
ly strengthen the Republican party in the ap-
preaching Congressional campaign.