The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-24
THE WRATH OF LEXINGTON.
Indignant Citizens Adopt Singing hesol"-
tionS in Regard to the Governor
Course.

LEXINGTON, April ia mass meet
ing was held here to-day to hear the
report of the committee appointed at
the mass meeting last Saturday to walt
upou the Governor in the Nellle Leap
hart case.
The meeting was called to order at
o'clock. J. \. Muller was i'll the chair.
The chairman briefly stated the object
of the meeting.
5. p. Wingard, chairman Of the conf
mittee, then made a report. he stated
that the committee had waited Oh the
Governor and had demanded the atf.
davit, or reasons for his actions, and
had been put OFT with the promise that
it would be shown in due time. Ihe
successful demand for the prisoner was
stated in brief.
J.B. Wingard, as Sub-committeeman,
stated that the Governor had declared
before Judge Wallace that he had no
secret to keep from the people OF Lex
ington and was willing to make known
the contents Of the affidavit as soon as
he could confer with tho solicitor.
Judge Wallace had declared TO the sub
committee that it was not his secret.
He had Yesterday again called on the
Governor for the affidavit. The Cover
nor stated that after consultation with
Judge Wallace ne had determined that
il was best not to make the contents
known.
\ committee was then appointed to
frame resolutions, which were unanl-
mously adopted, as follows:
Whereas, we, the citizens OF LeNlng-
ton County, in mass meeting ngassembled,
having heard from the committee ap-
pointed at a recent meeting that the
action of Governor Richardson III the
late respite granted Wellie Leaphart
was based upon. AL affidavit which Is
now on file in the Governors ottlce, aEd
the Governor having refused to permit
the committee to see the said affidavit,
| but having promised the committee
! that he would furnish them a copy OF
| the same as soon as he could review
! the situation and confer with the au-
| thorities, and since the Governor, i'll
the presence of Judge Wallace. openly
| declared to the committee that he had
no secrets in this case to keep, and then
and there renewed his promise TO
furnish Us the affidavit; and
Whereas, Col. J. B. Wingard, as Il
member of committee by special re-
quest, and as attorney for Miss Cannon,
Visited his EXcellency, Governor Rich
ardson, on yesterday, and requested Il
CODY of said affidavit in accordance
with the aforesaid promise of the Gov
ernor, and the Governor having refused
to give him 4 copy thereof, either as a
member of said committee or rs attor-
new for Miss Cannon, or to permit him
to inspect the same; and
Whereas, it is a principle in this coun-
try, fully recognized, that all public
officers must hold their records ready
at all times for public inspection, and
that whenever any paper is filed therein
it becomes public document by virtue
of the filing, and all public documents
are always open TO public inspection;
and
Whereas, the action on the part of
the Governor in withholding said atfi-
davit is tyrannical, and, in our judg-
ment, is spreading broadcast over the
country rumors as to the contents,
Thereon, damaging to the character OF
the outraged lady and fostering the
spirit of lynch law; therefore, be 1t
| Resolved, first, That we consider that
! his Excellency Governor Richardson
in Withholding from us the said alflda-
Wit acts outside the rule and the law
governing public officers in this State.
Second. That the past action OF the
citizens Of this county shows to the
Governor and the world that they
would act with discretion and within
the pale of the law upon the reception
of the affidavit, and the Governor
action, if based upon any fear OF Vlo-
lence to the affiant, as expressed IN his
letter, is entirely without foundation.
Third. The Governor, in his re-
fusal aforesaid, has not only denied the
citizens Of Lexington an inherent rlSnt,
but has broken faith with the commit
tee.
Fourth. That the Governor, in retus-
ing to Col Wingard, as counsel for Miss
Cannon, an inspection of said affidavit,
has denied to him, and tu her, right
given by the law e the land, which
law the Governor has sworn to faith
fully execute.
Five. BE it further resolved, That we
heartily endorse.the action Of the meet
ing held at this place on the 18th INST,
and also the actings and doings OF the
committee appointed to Investigate
this matter before the Governor.
Respectfully submitted,
J. B. WINGARD.
| II NJ EEIPD