The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-04-04

eQG anu Cue E1Id WaS ~uuc III euCu
a quiet manne that hardly anyone
knew of it. Our people have done
nothing that l know OF except to obey
the law, and have violated no authority
whatever. After I had heard that the
di%spensaries at Florence aud Timmons-
vile had been broken into [ immediate
ly placed a guard over the property
here, which has been abandoned as far
as l can see by it's officers, and I have
protected it as far g it lay 10 my
power. Up to this time it has mot been
molested. I found ont that some of
the constables were not in the fight, and
I told Capt. Thomson of their where
abouts and requested him to guard
them aud protect their lives for fear our
people would think they had taken part
10 the fight at the depot. They made
their escape and some people wished to
pursue them, but / urged them not to
do 80, as they were innocent and
should be allowed to escape The
wounded man in Jail l saw was pro.
tected, and l told the sheriff l would
protect him with my life. We are not
lynchers here, but when any body Of
armed men come into our town and
shoot down innocent citizens we fight.
We will always try to protect the inno-
cent and punish the guilty."
The same paper states that it is the
general impression that the troops will
be; kept at Darlington until after the
inquest. This is confirmed by the
Gear who states that such is his iuten-
ton, and also that they will be kept in
the field until an investigation is made
as to the raids on the d~ispensaries at
Florence and Timmonsville.
On Monday the civil officers Of
Darlington received notice that their
commissions have been temporarily
revoked. It lie evident that the inten-
ton is to have the inquest held under
military rule. Whether such a pro-
ceeding will stand is a question we are
not competent to discuss. Who is to
hold the inquest if the Coroner of the
County has his commission revoked?
Is there any law for turning such a
matter oyer to the military?
Tillman will not hesitate to usurp
such authority if he so chooses, for
there seems to be but one law for him,
and that is his OWE will. instigated and
inaamed by hatred Of his political op-
ponents.
During the day Florence was invaded
by a portion of the military under
command Of Gen. Farley.
The companies are for the most part
composed of men from the country or
very small towns. The official roll of
the companies is as follows
The Maxwell Guard. Greenwood, r.
F. Evans, 80 men ; the Morgan Rifles,
Clifton, M. S. Mitchell. 80 men ; the
Sautee Rifles, Elloree, P. w. Bull, IS
men /; the Edgedeld Hussars, composed
about equally Of Edge6eld Hussars aud
Dragons. S. B. Mays, IS men.
The men are CHARTERED in the armory
Of the disoanded Florence Rifles. 1t
is presumed that they were sent to
Florence to make investigation into the
dispensary raid and to assist in con-
templated arrests. Ga this subject, the
local correspondent Of the Mews and
Courier at Florence says:
| have just seen Gen. Harliee. who is
one Of the oldest constitutional lawyers
of the State. aud be says that in his
opinion Governor Ti!lman has violated
the law 10 calling out the militia and
declaring martial law 10 Darlington and
Florence. He advises all the citizens
to submit to the militia, but under
protests to arrests, should any be made.
He says that the militia executing the
Governors orders subject themselves to-
penalties for invasion Of private rights,
just as any officer Of the Courts acting
without authority lays himself liable to-
prosecution. A conference was ar
ranged between the mayor, Gen.
Harllee, who is city attorney. aud the
militia officers, but was postponed.
Gen. Harllee says:
'Section 20. Bill Of rights, Constitution,
South Carolina, declares that no person shall
in any case be subjected to martial law or to
any pains or penalties by virtue of that law,
except those employed in the army or navy Of
the United States and except the militia in
active service, but by authority of the General
Assembly
:Section l3. No person shall be held in
answer for any crime or offence unless the
same fully, fairly, is plainly substantiated and
formally described to him, etc.
"Sec,ion ID. No person shall be arrested,
imprisoned, deported or dispossessed of bis
property, immunities and privileges, put out
Of the protection of the law, exiled or de-
prived Of his life, liberty or estate but by the
judgment of his peers or the law Of the land,
and the General Assembly shall not enact
any law that shall subject any person to
punishment without trial by jury. Article
Is. Section 2, declares the Governor shall
have power to call out the militia to execute