The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-13
Stockadss Whipping Masters Guards Guns and Dogs No
Longer Required to Control "Free Labor in Anderson
County-GuIty Parties to be Brough ght Into Court.

exact truth, let them tell the truth; let them
treat a serious subject like this with all lalr-
ness and candor.
"FACTS WHEN DISTORTED
are more mischevoas than falsehoods l do
not say that the special correspondent OF
The North American deliberately wrote
what was not true. but do say that ms ac-
colored, essentially misleading and grossly
unjust
NOT A RACE ISSUE.
interfering by congress and the federal
courts. They ignore the fact that the court
and the grand jury have brought the matter
in to public atten ton and were busy invests.
matter without anyside help. We do not
wish TO wash our dirty linen in the federal
laundry. There is no politics In this matter.
no party issne, not even race issue, not even
indirectly. 1t Is purely and simply the right
ing of a grevous wrong. We protest against
the very idea OF outside interference. IT Is
untrue, as this paper states, that the testl-
nony of negroes Is not believed IN our
courts"
The judge here cited several cases before
him recently, In which
THE EVIDENCE OF NEGROES
had been accepted by juries iu preference to
that OF white men. Judge Benet also men,
toned that his matter had been called TO the
attention OF the governor, who had forwarded
TO the solicitor q letter received by him. The
Judge said that he had not heard Of the mat
ter up I'll the trial Of the Newell case. and was
astonished beyond measure by the dis.
closure therein.
Turning to the audience, he said that he
wanted to advise the negroes not to believe
rumorS which were gong about as TO the
| 10 validity of all labor contracts. He said the
court will enforce all lawful contracts. and
that negroes should not make the mistake OF
believing the investigation meant that all
contracts were void.
| Taking up the presentment, Judge Benet
read the names mentioned and said that
some OF them al least had been prosecuted
| for false imprisonment, while others were
liable In damages civilly as well Us for crimi.
nal prosecution. The solicitor, he said. will
do his duty, and 1t will be left TO the petit
Jurors TO do theirs. Good work had already
out; public sentiment is practically solid
against the System, In which only a few men
have participated.
| Judge Benet declared that the presentment
brought pitiful details. 1T told OF illegal
arrests and Imprisonment, of cruel whipping,
OF prolonged imprisonment without even the
farce ofa trial, OF kidnapping negroes from
other counties. and even from Georgia, ol
fear TO give testimony. refusal TO testify. and
most piLiiul ofall, OF poor negroes processing
TO being satisfied aud COntented."
Il His honor warned the jurors that they
must not divu!ge any OF the testimony
which he turned over TO the clerk of court
and ordered him not 10 make 1t public. The
lpresentment he turned over to the solicitor
for his help and guidance in preparing the
cases.
He then referred to the jury's remarks as to
the convict leasing system, and said he was
glad the jurors coucurred with him. The
: legislature had already taken steps to stop
this system.
"There is no likelihood that this stockade
slavery, with lis shackles, whippingS End
armed guards will ever Be seen again In this
or any other county,
In closing, Judge Benet said:
II thank you, gentlemen, most sincerely
for the excellent work you have done. South
Carolina thanks you. Anderson county es
lpecially will thank you Tor having relieved
: her of this shameful burden and freed hel
good name from the stigma that few OF hel
has cause TO be proud OF her grand jury
You certainly have amply justified the con
, idence reposed in you when | ordered yor
10 make this investigation
AL the conclusion of his honorS remark,
the Jury was dismissed, and the court pro
: ceeded with other business. The crowd tilec
|, out of the court room and the men gathered
. In groups on the streets 10 discuss the affair
SERIOUS SITUATION.
1t Is undeniabe that the revelations Of tn,
last few weeks have created serious situa
{ tion In Anderson county. IL Is also trne tina
there are Two sides to the question which III
: situation presents. AS shown so clearly by tn
presentment, there has been injustice ant
I cruelty practiced upon ignorant, II not In
> nocent, negroes. The practical enslavemenl
the cruel whipping. the illegal Imprisonment
' of negroes does not meet with undeserved dt
{ fence from any QnaTter.
:, THOSE WHO ENCUSE
C the contractors do SO by saying that tn
] system has been carried too far. They prt
sent the other side, which Is that some negro
: es rs laborerS cannot be controlled except b.
. show of force and power that some negroe
! were taken from jail under promise to wor
: according TO the now famous contract ; tina
3 they were In many cases well treated an