Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-04-07
ATTORNEY-GENEaAL BRwsrER
Explains Himself Away and Seeks 70
Win the Edge of Inevitable
Defeat.

| WASHINGTON. April Sin an Interview W
with correspondent of the Baltimore Sun,
| this evening, Attorney General Brewster un-
burdened his mind of various thoughts on
! the South Carolina prosecutions. He asserted
that there was no politics in the matter, and
that his letter to Mr.. Sanders was a necessary
admonition for the administration of Justice
to secure fair trials, full investigation, the
maintenance of the fairness and freedom of
elections, ETC. There was no reason for the
fears expressed by the South Carolina press
and c)ngressmen that there was any inten-
ton TO trrorize over the State or unduly
Affect the coming elections. He had
acted entirely on his own motion In
answer to an inquiry as to whether vio-
lations of the election law in South Car
oiina were more hsgrant than in some of
the Northern States, the attorney general
said: They are reported to NE 10 be. |
have no personal knowledge of such viola
tions, but if they are halt as bad as they are
represented in South Carolina they should be.
Investigated and punished they ought to
he, no matter where they are committed.
Such violations of the laws as are reported
should be investigated and punished, whether
they are committed North or South, by Dem-
ocrats or Republicans. He was asked what
the ideas of the President were on ths m after.
and replied that he knew nothing about the
Presidents ideas, having never conferred
with him on the hj,ct. But he had no
doubt that the President, like the high
minded, upright man he is, would Cordially
commend the vigorous prosecutions and the
proGpt punishment of all such offeuses, no
matter where they are committed or by
whom. In reply to a question, he said there
was no lack CT confidence in the United !
States prosecutors for South Carolina, that
additional couns. was requested by District
Attorney Melton himself, roth in person and
by letter. Mr.. Melton selected one assistant
in South Caroliua, and he 1.-THE attorney
general) selected Mr.. Sanders. Mr.. Sanders |
was chosen because he possessed the very |
qualifications and experience that Mr.. Mel !
ton desired, and because he was Democrat /
who could be depended upon TO do his d1ty
as a lawyer. Mr.. Melton, said the attorney |
general, informed this department that a /
great many witnesses, scattered through the
several counties, might be obliged TO be
brought to the seat of justice at cost of
about $4,000. Ii a responsible, comLeteut
liwyer, a Democrat and nonresident of
south Carolina, could be obtained, he would
like him to be employed for few months,
1t reasonable compensation 10 go down
here and go 10 the counties, examine the
before a commissioner, taking
heir affiLavits, and then report 10 him
md they together would then select
UGH witnesses as would be wanted,
md exclude all those that were not
needed, and thus save large sum of money
. the governmt mt and also aid in the con
iuct OF the cases. lie was earnest in request
og me TO select for him an experienced
dwyer, d. mocrat and 4 gentleman, and
new that Mr.. Dallas Sanders was Just such
person" After vindicsting Mr.. Dallas San
ers's title 10 be a gentleman, the attorney
eneral said that he knew nothing of the
ststls o! the prosecution, aud did not know
the cases anterior 10 the last election
Tould be tried.