The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-07-01
VENUE CHANGED FUR TlLLMAN.

on to be heard in Columbia on a
motion for a change Of venue.
before His Honor Judge D. A.
Townsend, and after hearing
read an avalanche of afhdavlts
and arguments made thereon, an
order was granted for the trial
of the cause to be had in Lexing.
ton county. The matter OF
changing the venue, is entirely
discretionary with the Judge,
and it would be highly improper
to criticise his ruling: the fact
Of their being a large number OF
citizens who swore the defend.
ant would not be able to get
a fair trial in Richland, and a
large number of citizens who
swore directly opposite, was
sufficient to show that a strong
doubt existed and, as the de-
fendant's life is in jeopardy, ne
is entitled to the benefit OF any
substantial doubt.
The attorneys for the defense,
in their arguments, laid partlcu-
lar stress upon the influence the
Columbia newspapers had, to IN
fame the prejudices of the peo-
pie Of Richland county against
the defendant, claiming it made it
impossible for him to get fair
trial. We have read almost
everything the Columbia news
papers had TO say on the subject
of the kAa$ng of n. G. Gonzales,
and We do not recall a single
;Ssorial which was unwarrant-
ed, or which will verify the
statements and arguments OF
counsel for the defense; the ar
guments on this line was a mass
of shrewd, deceptive clap-trap,
intended for a jury to be EN-
panelled in the future, and not
for the Judge who was hearing
the case.
We doubt exceedingly if the
world has ever witnessed a
higher example of high-toned
and consistent journalism, than
the Columbia State hasexhibiteo
throughout. It's editorial columns
after the second day, an absolute
silence, and it's news columns turn
ed over toother hands; we doubt,
if under a similar provocatlon,
that there IS another newspaper
in the world which would have
adopted such a dignifed course.
We have commended editor w.
E. Gonzales a brother of the de-
ceased editor for refraining from
writing anything which could be
construed into an excuse for the
cry of persecution, although his
provocation could not have been
greater. The Stayed editor inhis
lifetime was a strong champion
of law and order; often in his
fight for the majesty Of the law,
his language was impolitic, but
it was the truth, and Gonzales
dared to tell it-impolitic, be-
cause it gavedemagogues capital
to excite the populace to con-
demn him-once he was burned
in emgy, because he denounced
lynching, but it did not deter
him from continuing his fight
for the uplifting of the
law; that his successor in edi-
torial control, should maintain
the principles SO earnestly ad
vocated by his lamented brother,
and former chief, is conclusive
evidence of the sincerity of
States professions. Those prin-
ciples are now written in the
blood of the founder of that jour
nal, and they are a sacred monu-
ment to his memory. News
paper throughout the civilized
world denounced the killing of
n. G. Gonzales, and they char
acterized his slayer as a mur-
derer, an assassin, and a coward
it is true, but after the second
day when the signed editorials
of Capt. A. 3. Gonzales and Mr..
J. A. Hoyt Jr., appeared, moth
ing editorially regarding Tillman
has been published in The State
which could possibly excite pref
udice against the defendant, and
all Of those speeches before the
Judge, in so far as they relate to
the Columbia State were design
ed misrepresentation.
The case will now be tried in
another county, all the safe
guards to insure justice should
be thrown around the State and
the defendant, South Carolina is
as much entitled to protection as
is any of her citizens, and as this
is a case which is being watched
by the entire world, every pre-
caution should be taken for ab-
solute fair play. The prominence
Of the deceased, and the defen-
dant, should be eliminated, the
case tried strictly upon the in
dictment brought, and a verdict
rendered according to the law
and evidence: those whose duty
it will be to empanell the jury
should be scrupulously careful
to avoid the suspicion Of sharp
practice.
The trial of James H. Tillman,
cha rero1-1rith L-i)1ino n & Go,,