The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-01-15

most subtle sense of hunor. The Govern
ors conduct IN this case reminds one Of the
big sky-rocketin "Runpty Dumpty," which
after making a terrific fuss, finally fzzles
out without doing the slightest harm, while
the innocent-looking little rocket which does
not appear to be capable Of anything start
ling, explodes with terrific and very bUsi-
ness-like chang"
Had the Governor really wished to bring
those Barnwell county miscreants tojnstice,
he would have acted in an entirely different
manner 1t is, perhaps, idle to suggest how
he might have devised ways and means to
effect the arrest Of at least the principal Of
tenders, as he has apparently already made
up his mind that the lynchers shall not be
punished through any effort Of his.
Besides, any man who is considered to be
possessed of sufficient intelligence to hold
the Office of Governor of South Carolina 1or
two successive terms, is presumed to know
enough Of the ordinary affairs otllte to ena-
bic him to see things as tl& masses OF the
people see them.
Governor Richardson's position IN the
! Barnwell matter IS very much on par VIII
his action in the Clemson-college-bequest-
acceptance matter. In both cases his con-
duct was characterized by an apparent tear
of committing himself too decidedly to
either side until after he had an opportunI-
/ tv to see chow things were going. In other
words, it was what is known among polltlc-
ians as shilly-shallying, or dodSing the Is
sue.
If Governor Richardson thinks that by
! this means he is advancing the interests Of
| the State, he is terribly mistaken. As a
matter Of fact, his ridiculous pronuncla-
mento has already given rise to jokes IN the
northern papers on the probable condition
of the South Carolina treasury, and our Gov
ernor will realize some day how much harm
! he has really done this State by his lack OF
stamina on this and previous occasions
| Well, in this instance, at least, the econo-
mists will not be able to accuse the Govern
or Of having squandered the States money
in rewards for lynchcrs.
Tie Uo,1d is disposed to be rather too Sc
we're on our anliable Governor. We do not
doubt that Gov. Richardson has done pre-
cisely what he was advised to do IN this de-
plorable crisis. He did not offer much IN
the way of rewards for the apprehension OF
the murderers for the reason, perhaps, that
5000 would be as effectual for the purpose rs
$1,000. In either case there would be no
man to earn the money.
We cannot see that the smallness OF the
amount offered indicates any indifference
or lukewarmness on the part Of the Gov
ernor. He deplores the outrage as much rs
any man. He himself has said it and the
World is most unkind when it implies that
the Governor Ientertains any other feeling
han sincere and earnest desire to have
the perpetrators Of the atrocious deed pun
ished. '.His position" in regard to this at
fair. as chief executive of the State, as Chrls-
tan man, and as citizen and patriot cannot
be doubted Any doubts would be insult
ing to him. He has done part Of what he
ought to do. He has followed the prece-
dents of his Office, and put his name with
the great seal of the State at the foot OF the
usual proclamation 'in such cases made
and provided" This perfunctory act wipes
the blood from his skirts. He might Lave
done more. lie might have broken that
negligent Sheriff, whose careless disregard
for the safety Of those whom the law COM
mitted to his custody and whose neglect to
ador. nle..cnres for the protection OF his
prisoners after the special order Of the
Court enjcining unon him to do so either
by guarding the jail in which they were
confined or transferring them to jail IN
some othe. county, has made him crlml-
aai-a l,artaker in the crime Of midnight
ass,.ssins. The Governor might have done
that, but he has not. This Sheriff of Barn
well ought to be made an example of to
teach others in the same Office that the law
will not hold him gui.l.ess whose criminal
neglect renders posi-! lie the violent death
Of any sAan in his custody. Moreover, the
Governor might employ skilled detectives
to ferret out the murderers-we believe he
h:.s that power. Some Governors could
make it so Tot for these lynchers that they
would be either compelled to leave coun-
try they have dissraced or stand trial be-
fore the Courts whose functions they have
madly usurped But this awful crime, hei-
nous as it is, has its apologists. Then why
should Governor Richardson offend them
by any such vigorous and extraordinary
measures? His proclamation is before the
people. That is what Governors usually
do, and we firmly believe that Gov. Rich
ardson in this case will pay every cent Of
the reward to any man who will justly earn
it.
With these views of our Governors action
in the premises" we earnestly deprecate the
fault-fnding editorial of the World. Such
editorials might call the attention OF Pacl:
or the old Judge to our Governors procla-
nation, and the proclamation with the great
seal and all would be reproduced in those
abominably funny papers much to our
chagrin. We earnestly beg that the World
will take it back and make a New Years res
olution never to indulge in any more such
impertinences.
Another Lynching in BarnWell.
BARNwE11, Jan. 1l.-About q year ago
William Black, a young negro of about 20
years Of age, broke into the house OF anoth-