Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-07-03
W. A. NEAL FOUND GUILTY.
He Failed 10 Turn Over Money to His Sue
cessor-An Appeal will be Made.

w. A. Neal, indictment for failure to
turn over moneys to his successor"
Verdict: Guilty, with rccommcnda-
tion to tho mercy of tho Court. j. NJ.
Vanmetro, fo.oman.
Tho highest punishment attached by
law to the crimo of which Ncal is found
guilty is fno Of ono thousand dollars
and Imprisonment not exceeding twelve
months.
What n deal of history and what a
record of political ups and downs thore
is i'll this briefly told story. Ton years
ago, oven five years ago, who would have
dreamed Of such verdict against tho
man who was onco called tho "King
Makor'' and tho Mark Hanna of South
Carolina politcsp
A week ago tho verdict was not OK
pccted, and it was stated in a paper that
it was mcroly a technical offence and
trial, but Attorney General Bcllingor
throw his great ability, and all his force
and knowledge into tho case, and if
credit thoro be in tho verdict it belongs
to him and to tho straightforward pre-
scntation of the law by Judge Ernest
Gary. 1t was hard fought legal battle,
and no lawvcrs could have donc better
than did Mussrs. Julius T.. Boggs and p.
II. Nelson. Mr.. Bcllinger had tho sup
port of Solicitor Thurmond. Mr.. Mel
son made capital argument for his
cliont and presented the cause in the
strongest way, and insisted upon the
point that Col. Neal swore that he had
turned tho money in question over to the
bank and that it had been properly
spont. and that tho State had not proven
this to bo incorrect.
Attorney General Bcllingcr was superb
in his oratory and appeals. 1t takes a
man to attack men, and facts and condi
tons as lie did to-day in his argument
IIc ilayed the defence and did not
spare Col. Neal or his witnesses. Judge
money in question, and did not expend
it for legitimate Penitentiary purposes,
and then failed to turn it over to his sue
cessor within thirty days, then lie was
guilty under the statute. The payment
to tho bondsmcn was not a compliance
with tho statute and not defence.
Judge Gary held that the law excused
two classes Children and idiots or the
insane. TO plead insanity it must be
shown that tho party could not dis
tnguish between right and wrong. If
tho party knew tho difference between
right and wrong insanity was not n
defence, but if he did not know tho diff
florence between right and wrong it was
complete defence.
When tho verdict was brough. in and
read Mr. Boggs moved for n now trial
and it was decided that the motion will
DO heard on Monday morning. In the
meanwhile Col. Neal is under bond and
was not deprived of his liberty. If the
now trial is not allowed it is generally
thought that IN appeal to the Supreme
Court will be taken. 1t may bo noted
that in the Assman case, which is the
only other case of conviction under the
Same statute rs Col. Neal, the offender
was scntccccd to three months i'm the
county Jail.
NEAL SENTENCED.
Columbia, S. c., July Judge Gary
refused this morning to grant new
trial to Col. Neal who was convicted
Saturday afternoon, and sentenced him
to four months Imprisonment i'm the
county Jail of Richland and to a fine of
$1,000.
Later Col. Meals attorneys gave notice
of an appeal to the Supreme Court and
his bond was fixed at $1,000.
Though the motion for now trial
was generally expected there was not a
large audience in the Court House this
morning.
AS soon rs Judge Gary took his seat
ho announced that he was ready to hear
the motion for new trial, notice having
been previously given that it would be
made.
Mr.. Boggs read tho points why new
trial was asked for. Having refused tho
now trial tho Judge proceeded to impose
tho sentence.
Col. Neal arose, apparently the coolest
man in the house. In fact ho was much
more composed than the Judge who was
passing sentence and whose voice was
noticoably trcmulous.
"Ilayo you anything to say" asked
Judge Gary, why you should not be
sentenced, tho jury having convicted you
of failure to turn over money to your
successor in Office within thirty DAYS
after he had quaifcd?n
Col. Neal, with a glance downward at
his council, said, ono sir" Judge Gary
said: 81 derive no personal pleasure i'm
being compelled to sentence you. will
not narrow your feelings by any extended
remarks on your conviction; for ! take
1T for granted that the conviction is a
sufficient admonition to yoL. The sen
tonco OF tho Court is that you pay fine
OF $1,000 and be imprisoned i'm the
county Jail for four months"
The Judge at first said cat hard labor"
but quickly recalled his words saving,
simply confinement in tho county iaii
Will not conlinc you to hard labor or
force upon You tho wearing of stripes"
Col. Neal sat down, and though he
mad maintained his cquanimity up to the
actual passage Of his sentence, when he
took his seat it was evident that hc felt
kccnly the situation, notwithstanding
hc know an appeal would be taken and
probably had no doubt that he would be
able to raise tho necessary bond.
MIR. Boggs gave notice Of an appeal to
the supreme Court. Under the crcum-
stances, bond is allowable and after con
snitation the amount was fixed at -, 900.
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