The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1879-02-20
CONTEMPTIBLE.

The contemplate and pusillanimous
administration of Hayes has heaped an
amount Of infamy and disgrace upon this
country from which it can never recover.
Some months ago the editor of one of the
leading religious papers wrote to Secre-
tary John Sherman, inquiring if it was
true that United States officers were in
prison in the rebel States for defending
themselves against the murderous at
tacks of rebel outlaws. Secretary Sher-
man answered that it was true, and that
there was no remedy.
We believe these officers are yet in
rebel prisons, and that no measures are
being taken either to have them liberia
ted or brought to trial.
AT the election last fall, the greatest
outrages were committed. Witnesses
dare not appear before investigating COM
mittees. A short time ago the miserable
toadies of Hayes and his set, published
with a flourish of trumpets that Hayes
had appointed negro to be Postmaster
at Sumter, South Carolina. This negro,
it seems, is prominent man, and was a
witness as to the outrages in South Caro-
lima. just how the rebels have disposed
of this important witness-this Postmas-
ter appointed by Hayes, let the following
rebel dispatch in the N. Y. Herald tell ::
CHARLESTON, Feb. 10, 1879
Sam Lee, the notorious colored leader
of the republican party in Sumter coun-
| ty, the principal maker of the charges Of
intimidation and violence against the
democrats of that county during the last
campaign and the chief witness upon
this subject before the Teller Committee
a week or two ago, was convicted of off
cial misconduct at Sumter to day, before
Judge Mackey and jury composed of
eight white and four colored men. After
the finding of the true bill against him
Lee fled from the county, and was not
present at the trial. but under the laws
of this State, the offence being a misde-
meanor, he could be tried in his absence
j. Fl. Stuart, colored lawyer from Ker-
shaw county, appeared as counsel for the
accused.
NEGLECT OF OFFICIAL DUTY.
The prosecution proved by witnesses of
high respectability that at various times
Lee, as Probate Judge, closed his Office,
not allowing proper access thereto for
the transaction of business that on the
llth of November Mr.. r. D. Lee, who
bad business as attorney-at-law in Lees
office by citation in two cases, went there
in the morning and frequently during the
day. finding the Office closed. 1t was
closed at that time for four days. Lee
was seen during this time in town, shoot
ing pistols with others. The County Au-
ditor had before the election complained
through the columns of the Sumter
ing his Office open.
ARGUMENT FOR THE DEFENCE.
Counsel for Lee took the ground that
Lee was not Probate Judge on the 11th
of November, and moved, therefore, to
quash the Indictment After some dis
cussion and a review of the decisions of
the courts in this State on similar issues
the Judge refused to grant the motion.
The testimony for the defence was brief
and took the ground that Lee had been
disturbed in the discharge of his duties
as Probate Judge. Counsel in his argu
ment strongly urged mistrial. He ap-
pealed to the sympathies of the jury and
urged them to disabuse their minds of all
political prejudice.
The State Solicitor delivered calm
and convincing argument on behalf of
the State. Judge Mackey charged the
jury at some length as to the law of the
case.
GUILTY"
The jury retired, and after being out
two hours a verdict was rendered of
guilty The maximum penalty for this
offence is fine of $1,000 and twelve
months imprisonment at hard labor in
the Penitentiary Lee is the present
appointee of President Hayes for Post
master of Sumter.