National Republican., 1883-12-10
SOUTH CAROLINA JUSTICE.
The Prosecution Of ViOlatOrs Of United States
Election Laws
A Proceeding That is Attended with tho
Greatest Possible Difficulty.
EnlcinL Disnnich.


COLUMBIA, S. G., Dec. S..-Whenever there
appears in republican newspaper any state
mont rejecting upon the manner in which
democratic lawyers and newspapers in this
state treat tho law officers and witnesses of
the United States government during politi-
cal trials, such statements are invariably, in
one quarter or another, attributed to partisan
malice. IL is difficult to convince large
class Of republicans even of the outrageous
manner in which Judge Bond, the prosecut-
ing attorney, republican jurors and witnesses
are daily assailed, in and out of the court
room while such trials are in progress.
Even the agents Of tho associated press join
in the general warfare by garblng the pro-
ceedngs of the court in their press dis
patches. There was not one word of truth
in their report of the Mitchell trial, and
Messrs. Melton and Speer desire that this
fact be made known.
The evidence in the case was clear and
positive that Mitchell, q city detective, vio-
lently assaulted q colored republican, and re-
fused to allow him TO enter the registration
precinct to register, and that whom arrested
for this ofIenso by deputy United States
marshal he resisted arrest. The democratic
counsel endeavored to break this evidence
down by most ingenious cross examination,
and, failing in this, they turned their atten-
ton to the district attorney, whom they ac-
cused of packing juries under the partisan
rulings of Judge Bond" and abused in
most shameful manner ex-Attorney General
of State Youmans conduct, and outraged
every propriety. They ridiculed the appear
ance Of Attorney General Brewster, and
spoke of the President MS that follow
Arthur" The arguments of District Attor-
neys Melton and Speor were, on the contrary,
refined and courteous, and Mr.. Speer's con-
Il.
him by brothers of the same profession,
and democratic editors, deserves the highest
praise. No name has been too vile and no
motive too impure in speaking of him since
his arrival in this state. The jury in the
Mitchell case failed to agree, but this is
not strange. 1t is difficult to obtain fair
and unprejudiced jury in this state. and
should such marvel be accomplished there
is still sufficient money in the corruption
fund appropriated by the state legislature to
tempt Judas. Gov. Thompson suggestion
in his message to appropriate $4,000 to pay
the expenses for the defense Of violators of
United States laws deserves the earnest con-
sideration of all men, otherwise usually we'll
informed, who permit themselves to be blind
to many glaring facts relating to one of the
most important sections of this country.
The trial of State Supervisor Horsey was
abandoned by tho district attorney. because,
after hearing the evidence of both United
States supervisors, they did not deem the
irregularities of sufficient Importance to ask
a verdict from the jury. The case of Bethen
and others, of Marion, charged with COLI
spiracy to prevent q fair election for congress-
man in the fifth district, is now in progress.
This and other cases still to be tried will
expose the nefarious methods practiced by
the South Carolina democracy to retain con-
troll of the state.
The fact that Kennedy Bryan, son of
United States District Judge Bryan, who
occupies the bench with Judge Bond in these
trials. introduced all the dilatory motions
which delayed the business of the court a
whole week, and that oil these motions,
though overruled by Judge Bond, received
the emphatic approval of Judge Bryan. has
ELECTED many unpleasant. criticisms. 1t has
been openly asserted that Kennedy Bryan
was put in the cases to secure his fathers
dissent from Judge Bonds rulings. 81. ,a.-