The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-23
WOULDN'T Be FAIR
TILLMAN SAYS, TO TRY HIM In
COLUMBIA.
THINKS THERE IS PREJUDICE
THAT WOULD PRECLUDE JUSTICE
BEING DONE HIM.

James III. TiIIman Appeared Pm Court
When AfRdavits Bearing Upon the
Motion for Change of Venue Were
Presented-His Wife and Little
Boy with Him-seaatOr TiIIman
Also Present-SIany Counter An
davits Presented by the PrOsecu-
tiOn.
Columbia, S. c., June 22-Playing
with his 5-year-old son, who ran about
the court room, James H. Tillman
heard affidavits read to-day for and
against a change of venue for his trial
on the charge of numbering N. G. Con
zales, editor of the Columbia State. At
the time of the shooting Tillman was
Lieutenant Governor of South Caro-
lima.
He. was brought to the court room
from the Jail where he has been since
Jan. Is. Senator Benjamin r. Tillman
led in his nephew's wife and mother,
the latter the widow of the late Con-
gresham George Tillman. The Sena-
tor walked about the court room,
chatted with people and was conspic-
uous.
The prisoner wore a new black suit
with black tie. He was sallow, but
seemed confident and smiled often at
his child.
Mrs. Tillman was pale and looked
weary. She had nothing to say to her
husband and did not look at him.
Judge D. A. Townsend presided.
1t is the purpose of the defense to
have the case changed to Saluda, if
possible. This is territory recently cut
off from Edgefield, Tillmans home
county. 1t has always been a strong
hold of Senator Tillman and very par
tisan.
Had Over 200 Amdavits.
Something over 200 afidavits, saying
that fair trial could not be held in
this county; that preachers had arous-
ed the people against Tillman, and that
the newspapers of Columbia had in
cited them, were read. The chief af-
fidavits were by counsel for Tillman,
making sworn statements as to the
feeling of justice.
Before the prosecution had present
ed half its affidavits court adjourned.
First were offered affidavits of every
preacher in the city, denying that they
had preached against Tillman and re-
pudiating the charge that a fair trial
could not be held here. Two of them
said they had held their peace in re-
spect to the wishes of the State, which
itself kpt silent, wishing to avoid the
possibility of the cry of persecution.
AffidaVits from managers and editors
of both Columbia papers followed. 1t
was shown that since the killing of
Mr.. Gonzales thousands of newspaper
and individual denunciations of Till
man had been excluded from their COL
umns, and that nothing had been said
editOrially to excite the people.
The affidavits along this line from
lawyers, doctors, bankers, merchants.
clerks, workingmen and farmers were
read. Every walk in life is repre-
senteds f r7e ar-raF, r.
Prosecution Has 800 More.
The prosecution will have about 300
more affidavits to read tomorrow.
Many of Tillmans friends say he can
get a fair trial here.
In his race for governor, with i've
candidates in the field, Tillman receiv-
ed more than thousand votes here In
a total of 5000.
Counsel on each side to-day contest
ed very heartily every point and sew
eral eloquent speeches were made. The
prosecution is conducted by Solicitor
J. w Thurman, assisted by Messrs. G.
Duncan Bellinger, formerly attorney
general Andrew Crawford and w. Ell
lott, Jr The defense is represented by
George w. Croft of Aiken, the prison
er's law partner; ex-Judge Q. w. Bueh-
anan, the prisoners brother-in-law; r.
H. Nelson of Columbia, formerly sohc-
itor; George tombstone, ex-member OF
Congress, and George r. Rembert OF