The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-10
Especial to News and Courier

Governor Tiilman an opportunity for
bit of irony and to "pay back in coin''
for statement made at mass meet.
ing. Had not-Solicitor Jervey spoken
at the meeting here it is pretty safe to
say that nothing wodld have ever been
heard of the present turn in the case.
For some unaccountable reason Gov
ornor Tillman has come'to the conclu-
sion that there is reason "to prosecute
a whole people and make farce of the
trial." An order was to-day sent to tie
able solicitor of the Ist circuit. Mr.,
.Jervey, to take hold of the prosecution
Of the Denmark lynching cases. 1t
looks very much like a fxed-up job,
but no doubt Mr.. Jervey will look after
his laurels and take hold of the matter
and do the best he can. So far as is
known there has never been just such
proceeding in the history of the
State.
BELLINGER's sPECIoUs LETTER.
Here is the letter of Solicitor Beliin-
ger to Governor Tillman. It is worth a
careful study:
+. BARNwELL CHI, May 8, 1893.
To His Excellency, Governor B. r.
Tillman, Columbia, S. C.-Dear Sir: I
desire to call your attention officially
to the recent lynching at Denmark in
connection with the following state
ment: So farno warrant has been sworn
out by any one against any person sup
posed to be connected with the affair,
and the proceedings and verdict of the
jury of inquest give no information
upon which the prosecution can be
begun.
Under these circumstances, if the
case is to receive that investigation
which its gravity seems to require, it
becomes the duty of the Executive
officer to institute proceedings in the
premises,
sInasmuch as the violation of the law
was, committed ina community in
which I have many relatives and con-
nections it is not improbable that some
Of them were implicated, especially
when it is stated that the entire COM
munity was engaged in the enterprise.
Such being the case any effort on my
part to bring the perpetrators to JUS
tiee weuld be embarrassing to me, and
probably lay me open to the charge of
partiality and insincerity.
I would. therefore, respectfully re-
quest that your Excellency would
charge the solicitor Of one of the adj
joining circuits to take charge of the
case, and would suggest that Solicitor
Jervey, whose circuit adjoins this
county and who probably best under
stands the situation, could give the
matter satisfactory attention.
Assuring you that I shall be ready
at any time to render such service as
the case and my office requires, am
very respectfully,
G.. DUNCAN BELLINGER,
Solicitor of the End Circuit.
THINKS he HAS JERvEY INA HOLE.
Z.
Just before leaving the odice Gov-
ernor Tillman prepared this spicy let
ter to Solicitor Jervey: II.
COLUMBIA, May 4, 1898.
Hon. w. st. J. Jervey, Charles
ton, S. C.-Sir: I am in receipt of a
letter from Sir. G. Duncan Bellin-
ger, solicitor of the 2nd, circuit, in
which he states that by reason Of the
fact that his relatives and connections
are probably implicated in the accent
unfortunate affair at Denmark, "any
efforts on his part to bring the perpe-
traitors to justice wo-;d be embarrass-
ing and probably ,ay him open to the
charge of partiality and insincerity.n
he, therefore, asks me to direct the
solicitor of one Of the adjoining cir
cults 10 take charge of the case and
prosecute the persons who have over
ridden the law. He further suggests
yourself, and I therefore direct you to
proceed to Denmark at your earliest
convenience for the purpose of thor
oughly investigating the outbreak and
taking the necessary steps to vindicate
the law and punish the Iynchers.
I comply with Mr.. Bellinger's re-
quest the more readily because your
Well.known zeal and legal ability give
assurance that you will do your whole
duty.
Yours, very respectfully,
3. B. TIbLMAN, Governor.
P. S.-Mr. Bellinger will Of course
take your place in any work in your
own circuit which may interfere with
your compliance with this order.
9. R. T.
Governor Tillman referred Solicitor
Bellinger's letter to the Attorney-Gen-
erals Office and received report to
the effect that be had the right to
order the change. The law on which
the Governor basis his order is:
Section 511. Solicitors shall do the
duty OF the Attorney-Geperal, and
give their counsel and advice to the
Governor and other State officers in
matters of public concern whenever
they shall be by them required so to
do, an6 assist the Attorney-General or
each other in all suits and prosecutions
in behalf of this State, when directed
so to do by the Governor or called
upon by tie Attorney-General. They
may defend any person brought to
trial before any criminal Court Of this
State when their duty shall not re-
quire them to prosecute such persons,
or their assistance be not required
against such person by the Governor
or Attorney-General.
SOLICITOR JERvEY PREFERS TO SEE
THE GOyERNOR'S ORDER BEFORE