New-York tribune., 1878-11-30

diatelv arrested for alleged perjury and put in
iaIl. One Of them, the Rev. Mr.. Ilnckney, ncd
70 Charleston but was arrested there, handled
very roughly and carried back to Kingstree. Inc
United States District Judge issued wrlts OF haOeas
corpus and, hear, discharged all OF the prisoners
when they were brought before him IN Charleston
tins morning on the ground that If witnesses COM
init perjury in a United States Court the Chteu
States authorities alone have jurisdiction to try ana
punish them. This decision will be very ieasSu-
ing 10 fbe witnesses not only in Williamsburg, but
also in other counties and will enable the Govern
mcntt get the evidence of Democratic rascality
which would otherwise be held back through fear.
III sumter County, Samuel Lee rs the most active
and influential Republican. He is United States
Commissioner has been Probate Judge, ana was
Iuted States Supervisor at the Sumtervllle poll at
the last election Many of the supervisors at other
poll, in he county were negroes who came to Lee
for assistance in making their reports Nhile ne
was engaged in this work he was attacked III MS
Off e and virtually driven out OF sumter. ms
affair illustrates 50 iOrclbly the courage and chly-
airy of the South Carolina Democracy that 1t Is
worth describing one of the leading Democratic
politicians of Sumter is lawyer named Dargan'
an officer on Governor llamptons staf. lie has
about his hOusc Tor had until recently a negro
called Royal Robinson, who is Democrat anu
whom shoula juog', from few minutes cohV'i'a-
tion with him. to man OF less than ordinary intel
hgence. Robinson has made an aihdaVt that heanu
another negro named Saunders were hired by Dar-
gan and another Democrat to cOwMde Lee ana tlat
they were to receive $50 for the job. One OF the
white men purchased the cowhideS, but when thew
learned that Lee knew of their intended attack and
was prepared to defend himself Robinson seems to
have lost heart and finally went to Lees Office to
tell him that he did not intend TO whip him. Nhlle
ne was there a crowd of people gathered around
and one of the white men told Robinson that II Lee
sad he he'd lac might whip h III and they would see
far play. Then there was row III winch plSlols
were drawn, and one Of the white men struck Lee
over the head with chair Lee then escaped
This is the substance of RObinson's story and If 1t
is true and see no reason to doubt IT. il was cow
ardly proceeding from beginning to end ] ought
to add that when | was in Sumter l hearu
the story substantially as | have gwen 1t
here but that the white people told me that
the whole affair was simply quarrel between the
NEGROES. Lee caused the arrest nf the two negroes
and. believe of some of the white men who are
alleged to have foraed the plot against him. and
they are held to answer IN the United states Courts
for interfering with Federal officer IN the dis
charge of his duties. Lee declined to give bonds
for his appearance as a witness, but was allowed to
return TO Sumter tins week to close up his bust
ness. remaining still in the custody of the United
States authorities. Soon after his arrival he was
arrested by the local officers for having failed to
keep his Office of Probate Judge open, and the
United States Marshal was Obliged to send an otii-
Ger after him. ] believe that ii IS the purpose OF
the Democratic leaders of Sumter to drive Lee out
of the county His influence with the coored peO-
pie is so great and he is so sharp politician that
his presence is a constant menace to the Democracy
and TO its leaders.
In Barnwell County, Virgins, the United States
Commissioner who was sent there to investigate
the election was arrested by the local authorities
on a charge of having received "A bribe of 500 III
1878 when he was State Solicitor. | don't know
anything about the merits of this case. After he had
remained in Jail two three days, he got BAIL and
then the Democrats caused the arrest of the United
States Deputy Marshal Bourke for roughly treat
ing prisoners whom he had taken into custody and
fixed his bail at 50 600. If he Is guilty of the
CRIME alleged he is answerabe to the United States.
and may be punished, but the State Courts have no
jursdc dctOn of the case.
Deputy United States Marshal FaubOrg has also
been arrested in Florence, Darlington County, for
larceny Some time ago he found man selling to-
bacco IN Florence from other than the original pack
ages. which is violation of the revenue laws. lie
seized il and made complaint against the offender.
The tobacco Is now IN the cuStouJ Ol TIC Cni'Ou
States Marshal awaiting the trial of the case. Since
the election he has male complaint against three oil
the Democrats for violation of tue election laws, but
before he mad time to prepare his evidence he was
arrested IN Florence OH charge of having stolen
the tobacco which he seized in the name OF the
United States and is still III Jail. writ of habeas
corpus will be sent for him.
| think have written enongh to show the tao
tics which have been adopted by the Democrats to
! shield themselves from just punishment for their
crimes 1t would be hard to find IN the history of
| civil or criminal Jurisprudence more shameful
prostitution of the forms of law, to say nothing OF
! the perjury which has been cOncomltant OF IT.
| z. l.. W.