New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-06
THE PARDON or SPRINGS.

THE FULL STORY OF HE lNbAMObS S''DNN' W
THE SOUTH CAROLINIANs N THIS CASE.
WAsHGXGrON, Sept. 5.-The story Of Collector
Springs furnishes another grave Illustration OF
the hostility TO Federal laws which still exists In
many portions of the South. and OF the ease with
which State communities South give defiance to
National authority through the medium OF false
charges i'm state Courts and convenient judiciary
Springs as deputy collector, and his brother,
Rufus Springs deputy marshal. were very active
against the mooushiners, and particularly against
the famous outlaw Redmond They so vigorously exc
cuted the Federal laws that the moonshiners deter
mined to be rid of them and Rufus Springs was
Haylad and murdered. w. l.. Springs, who was
much more wary and suspicious of the class OF peo-
pie with whom he had to DEAL could not be way
laid, although there were many attempts
10 do so, and recourse was finally had
by those who defy National authority
to the State Courts. In one Of Sprngss raids upon
the moonshiners there was hand-to-hand con-
hict with the outlaws In which Springs knocked
down one of the moonshners with the butt Of his
gun and dubbed him. He arrested for an as
sault under State law, indicted. and a bench
warrant was issued. lie was arrested and was
about 10 be removed to the distant wild region
where the alleged assault occurred in order as
Springs believed, that he might be lyDched by the
confederates of the moonshners whom be had 80
vigorously treated. The United States Court how
ever iuerfered and ordered transfer OF the canse.
An Intellectual effort made to arrest Springs by
the state Court, in defiance of the process OF the
United States Court. Defeated III all their at
tempts to dispose of Springs the charge
was trumped up against him that lie had
stolen an old silver watch FROM colOred man.
worth possibly SO or 81. He was tried, and there
was no evidence against him except the uusup-
ported statement Of one ignorant old man. There
was no collateral evidence, and there was no cause
assigned for stealing the watch, as Springs had a
much better one of his own. But he convicted
aud received the monstrOus sentence of three years
in the State Penitentiary. Simpson. then a rrac-
tsIng lawyer, now Governor of South Carolina.
was present in the court room and said then. and
has said many times since, that he was greatly
surprised at the conviction, and that it was
grieyous wrong.
Wade Hampton was then Governor. The details Of
the case were all laid before him. and the hypocrisy
of Wade Hampton's claims for down reaching
love" for the Union, and Of his desire to secure re-
Cancellation and the like. could not better
be shown than by the fact that he re-
fused to interfere notwithstanding he knew
that his present successor, who witnessed the trial.
pronounced it a mOckery of justice The Outrage
seemed To be intensified by the fact thar soon after
the Federal Administration, III spirit OF wonder
ful clemency. amnestled not only the particular
moonshiners. bur 37S moonshlners, all told
IN that section, and let them 90 free
upon the mere plea of Guilty" This fact
used to aid in securing pardon for Springs,
but it was without effect. Springs was not only NOT
parloned, but the malevolence of the Southern op-
ponents of Federal law followed him to prison.
where the malicious report was started that he was
a very dangerous man, and on that account this
Federal officer compelled TO work with cham
aud bail attached to his leg for seven months of the
period Of his confinement. After Wade Hampton
became Senator. earnest efforts were made TO induce
him to interfere, but he still declined. Finally
Judge Mackey, kind-hearted man. when here In
Washington was informed of the details OF the
by Commissioner Raum, and 1t Is doubtless through
Judge Mackey's efforts that tho pardon has finally
been granted.