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The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
THE ACQUITTED MURDERER
From the Boston Herald.

from tile Boston deralQ.
The acquittal of j. H. Tillman, of
criminal intention in shooting and
killing Editor Gonzales, is not an un-
expected outcome of the recent trial.
It marks, it is true low tide in the
civilization of the State Of South Caro-
lima, when, in a political controversy,
one prominent public man can in cold
blood shoot and kill defenseless citi-
zen and find in jury of his peers
complete justification for SO doing.
Though different in detail, this expert
ence, like the murder of ne
groes by irresponsible mobs, is
Indicative of relapse towards barbar-
ism, which is cause not SO much for
censure as for sorrow. The proud
old State Of South Carolina is in a
demoralized condition II one may judge
by such experiences as those to which
We have rc-1red. The reasons for this
Generalization are, no doubt, suff-
ciently numerous, and for some of
them, we at the North may be as much
to blame as the residents of the State
itself. In most of the Southern States,
and we think in nearly all of the
Northern States, crime such as this,
committed by man holding one of
the most exalted Offices in the Com
monwealth, would have inevitably
brought about the punishment of the
offender as she outcome of criminal
proceedings inz the courts. In South
Carolina the. precedent has been estab-
lished that defenseless man can be
shot and killed by fellow citizen who
has been provoked by the criticisms of
the former, and the courts of the State
will hold that it was a brave and salu-
tary proceeding to in this way wash
out in blood any aspersion cast upon
one holding prominent political
Office.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
The Shame of Our State.

How in Gods name any twelve men,
pretending to represent the people OF
South Carolina-claiming to be fair
and honest to the living and the dead
can brazenly come forth and declare
that James 81. Tillman is not guilty
of his crime, is more than any good
citizen can answer. It is too merciful
to use that old hackneyed phrase
about miscarriage of justice, for it
is greater than that. The verdict is
an outrage and it will forever stand as
the scarlet letter of shame on the rec
ord Of our State. No more can We
preach against crime and anarchy in
high places, when we foster and en-
courage the lawless element by free
ing a man who took the life of an
other without warning, shooting him
down like dog in the street. That
verdict brings u.s. face to face with the
insinuation and the hint of iugglery
and crooked work. Think what we
may of the TRADES and volleys of abuse
heaped upon the slayer, there is not
in his testimony one tangible point on
which it is possible for any honest
man to countennce the manner of his
deed. To fill an unsuspecting heart
with cold lead under the plea of self
defense, and then have jury com,
mend it, shows the utter depravity OF
our legal system and the damnable in
Justice Of the jury box. x x x Il
is terrifying to know that human life
is so cheap, and when we rememb Del
that our iuries, swept away with sym
pathy or poisoned by spleen, will not
regard the evidence, then we must re-
main silent and bow our heads in
shame. We looked to the people Of
Lexington County to uphold the ma
iesty of the law, but they failed US,
and they have openly invited assasslns
to come in and slay, guaranteeing te
them every protection from harm:
Justice of this sort breeds crime ane
the spirit of lynch law, and still We
sit down and allow it to continue.
Greenyille News.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
Stands BY Marine Band.

From the Philadelphia Record.
Washington, D. c., Oct. l0.-The
Marine Band is TO be allowed by the
President and Secretary Moody to play
at all functions OF sufficient national
Importance to warrant It's presence,
notwithstanding the protests of the Ia
Dor unions. Is is stated on high au-
Ehorisy that the matter of whether the
band shalt be allowed TO play where it
receives extra compensation for SER
rices will not in any manner enter into
Ehe decision Of the navy department.
Navy department officials are not at
al concerned at the recent protests
and objections made by the Fedora
lion Of Musicians because the Marine
Band played at the Chicago Center.
nal celebration and received pay.
Although the navy department was
never informed that the members OF
the band would receive extra pay for
playing in Chicago, the department.
never gave the question the slightest
consideration when it authorized the
band to go to Chicago. The Only
question considered was whether or not
the Chicago Centennial was of suf-
cient national significance to warrant
the senGing of she band, and it was
decided that such was the case.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
the RUSSIANS at PORT ARTHUR.
IT Appears That Fully $4,000 Men
Have Been Gathered at That
Stronghold.

Cbee Foo, China. Oct. 1e.-The
Russian administrator of New
Chwang, Manchuria, proposes to or
ganize municipal council, with one
American and two British members.
Their decisions will be subject to the
administrators approval.
a closer Investigation CT the number
OF troops reviewed by Viceroy Alexief
at Port Arthur seems to indicate that
the official total. rs. COO, would have
been correct if all the corps engaged
contained their full complement. 1t
appears, however, that most of the
regiments had only about tWo.thirds
Of their nominal strength, 80 that the
number reviewed was about As, 600 men.
The total of the Russian army about
Port Arthur is rs, 600 men.
RETURN OF RUSSIAN FLEET.
Yokohama, Oct. 16.-Tne Russian
SQUADRON has returned to Port Arthur.
Correspondents there report that prep
arations have been made against an
apprehended attack on the ninety
three war vessels in port. The entrance
ia protected by boom Of heavy logs.
The negotiations at Toxic, though
critical. are proceeding peaceful:
America and Europe are cautioned
by the officials against alarmist reports.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
REsTER'S COTTON STATEMENTS.
The Aggregate for the Forty.six
Days of This Season is $4,000
Bales Behind the Same Days
of Last Year.

New Orleans. Oct. 16.-Secretary
Hester's weekly cotton statement issued
to-day shows for the sixteen days o.
October decrease under last year o!
80, 600 bales. and decrease under the
same period year before last of 10000
For the forty six days of the season
that have elapsed the aggregate is be-
hind the same days OF last year 5S9, ,0O(
bales, and ahead Of the same days yeal
before last 47,G00.
The amount brought into sight during
the past week has been 394, 942 bales,
against 449, 486 for the same seven days
last year and 473, 2l2 year before last.
The movement since September
shows receipts at all United States
ports to be 1876, 1876 bales, against
/. .57S, ssl last year; overland across the
Mississippi, Ohio and Potomac rivers
to Northern mills and Canada Il, 957,
against 81, 23s last year; interior
stocks in excess of those held at the
close of the commercial year 142, 646,
against 2s5, 472 last year; Southern
mill takings 239, ,000, against 2S9,OOC
last year.
These make the total movement fol
the forty-six days Of the season from
September to date 1,646, 1876, against
z, 235, 091 last ysar.
Foreign exports for the week have
been 27l, ,O9l bales, against 218, COS last
year, making the total 6hus far for the
season IT'S. IA, against 1.036, 939 last
year, decrease Of 263, 695.
Stocks at the seaboard and the
twenty-niae leading Southern interior
towns. have increased during the week
%, oo4 bales, against an increase dur
ing the corresponding period last
season of 1880, and are now 296, 5l4
less than at shis date in 1902.
Including stocks left over at ports and
interior towns from from the last crop
and the number Of bales brought into
sight thus far for the new crop, the
supply to date is 1913, 985 bales,
against 2,450, l65 for the same period
last year.
WORLDS VISIBLE SUPPLY.
New Orleans, Oct. 16.-Secretary
Hester's statement Of the worlds visi-
BILE supply Of cotton issued to-day,
shows the total visible to be 1,827, 1882
bales, against 1,6G3, 767 last week and
3,3o4, ,4lS last year. Of this the total
American is 1926, ,3S2 against 1,097, Az
last week and 1858, 4lS last year, and
of all other kinds, including Egypt,
Brazil, India, etc, 502, coo. against sos, :
900 last week and Ali. 600 last year.
OF the world IS visible supply Of cot
ton there is now adoat and held in
Great Britain and Continental Europe
$50, ,OW against 1,122.000 last year ;
Egypt 49, COO against sc, coo last year ;
in India 222, 900 against 200,0 last
year, and in the United States 606, 600
against GIG, 600 last year.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
"a FAaCIAL VERDICT"
From the PHILADELPHIA Press.

From the Philadelphia Press.
Trial by jury has proved a wretched
farce in South Carolina. J. Fl. Till
man on public street, in the city of
Columbia, in broad daylight, in the
presence of many witnesses, shot and
killed N. G. Gonzales, who was IN
armed and able to make nc resistance.
Tillman was prepared and his oppon-
ent was unprepared for hostilities. No
words were exchanged. The men were
bitter political opponents, and Tilnan
selected his time and killed his oppol-
ent when he could do SO with no per
sonal risk to himself.
9 In the face of these facts sympa-
thetic jury sets Tillman free by pro-
nouncing the verdict of not guilty.
The jurymen had no doubtful evidence
before them. They simply did not
propose to punish Tillman for killing
a political opponent, and SO they
argeed to verdict which, though d.
rectly opposed to the facts, would re-
lease the Ex-Lieutenant Governor of
the State from the penalty which the
law prescribes for the crime of mur-
der.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
A Throat Cat at Wagener's.

ri
Columbia, Oct. ga report reach
od here tonight from Perry's shat
another tragedy has occurred IS a re-
suit of the Tillnan trial. The report
is that Mr.. Gunter, of Wagener's,
this afternoon got into personal diff
Guilty with Mr., Bushnell or Busby,
and as result Mr.. Bushnell or Busby
was severely wounded, his throat be-
ing cut.
The only information received here
up to midnight is from Perry's, near
Wageners' and from that point the in
formation is that telephone mes
sage was seat to Perry's for physi-
eian, and that Mr. Bushnell was Sc
Versly wounded by Mr.. Gunter and
not expected to live.
The difficulty sross out Of the Till
man trial.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21

James Fl. Tillman had shot Gonzales
down in the first heat of Ibis resent
ment and rage, he would have had in
a large measure, the sympathy of his
countrymen. But he waited Eve
months after these editorials appeared,
was defeated for the nomination he
sought, and just before he went out of
Office sore, disappointed and smarting
under his loss of political favor, he
met Gonzales on the street and shot
him down. Tillman's long delay and
many circumstances tended to give
his deed the aspect of cold -blooded
assassination which is always resented
by popular sentiment. But the re-
action came, and the trial just closed
at Lexington fairly reflects the prevail
ing opinion of this section regard
ing the tragedy.
The defense could have rested its
case with the reading of the Gonzales
editorials for they acquitted Tillman.
The Jurors who listened to the un-
measured abuse contained in this voice
Of hate lifted, as it were, from the
grave. felt that Tillamn's shot was no
more murderous than Gonzales words.
Here is the whole significance of the
acquittal and of the manner in which
it will be viewed in the south. There
is still among the Southern people that
feeling at which the Northern press
finds it SO easy to sneer, that mans
honor, reputation, character-call it
what you willis a-dearer thing than
life, and that to destroy it calls for
death. This is what the acquittal Of
James 81. Tillman means. Whether this
is the significance of the Tillman mur-
DIRE is another question. The self-ce-
Tense theory was very week and the
circumstances in the view Of most IN
prejudiced persons point more to cold
blooded revenge than to honorable re-
sentiment at white heat.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
The Testimony of Psriurers.

To those acquainted with the per-
sonnel of some of the witnesses on
which reliance was placed by counsel
to save Tillman's neck from the hal
ter; to those familiar with the life,
habits and characteristics of NC. Con
zales, it is amazing that intelligent
attorneys should have put them upon
the stand. It is not conceivable that
they expected twelve honest men to
accept as truth what was so manifestly
barefaced perjury. 1t is impossible
to credit the defense with submitting
in good faith testimony which it would
be an affront to ask men Of unbiased
Judgment and ordinary sound sense to
accept. The only explanation which
seems reasonable is that, assured Of
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
"TRE ASPECT OF COLD-BLOOD
ED ASSASSINATION.
From the Nashville News.


The acquittal of James H. Tillman
in the Gonzales murder trial closes a
case which has been the centre of the
iercest political and personal feeling
in South Carolina, and has attracted
national attention and criticism.
When Lieutenant Governor Tillman
sought denomination from his party
nearly two years ago, he was violently
opposed by the Anti Tillman element,
of which n. G. Gonzales, editor of the
Columbia State, made himself the en-
phatic spokesman. Editor Gonzales
dipped his pen in vitriol and assailed
Tillman wish accusations and personal
yileness and political corruption. Pro
badly never IN Southern journalism
was man of social prominence so
abused and villifed. When an
editor uses such language in
this section OF the country he
takes his life in his hands, and if
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
WILL NOT ENCOURAGE CAPITAL
OR Settlers.
From the Hartford Post.

From the Hartford Post.
IF the people of South Carolina think
that the acquittal of Tillman helps to
invite outside capital or settlers to
come to their State, they are mistaken.
OF course the more intelligent and re-
putable people the State do not excuse
a murderer. But the people that choose
the Tillmans to Office evidently do.
The jury which acquitted the muderer
of Gonzales was composed of seven
farmers, four cotton mill operatives and
a carpenter.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
EEnY REVIEW OF TRADE.
some Contraction in Trade and
andustry---Many Branches of
aanafacSurs are Working
Full Force.

New York, Oct. 16.-R. 6. Dun q
Co.'s Weekly Review # Trade tomor-
roW viii say
While some contraction in trade and
industry undoubtedly has taken place,
It is nos in proportion TO the reduction
OF 20 per cent. in pig iron output OF
the reaction in prices Of securities, al
Eheugh In normal years these have
usually proved fairly reliable barome-
Hers. Many branches Of manufacture.
however, are working full force, with
large orders still untitled, while the
latest returns ef the crops are most en-
couraging. Finance and labor are the
disturbing elements this year, neutral
5zs5 very lSrgely by favorable COM
naercial and agricultural conditions.
Tho net result is q fairly well main
tanned volume of trade, onset by con.
gsrEatism IN carrying out proJecSeo
new undertakings and proposed extern
Siolas Of facilities Railway earnings
shus Far available for October are 6.2
par cent larger than last year ana LII
er cent above 1901.
Widely conflicting reports are re-
csived as to the condition OF the iron
and steel Industry. There is evidence
that the decline IN quotations has been
checked, although it IS occasionally
stated that special terms are made on
smpcrtanS contracts. A better inqul-
n IS noted IN the West, pig iron being
freely taken by open hearth steel lux
naces and makers Of railway supplies,
and II some favored lines the new or
I'll. all
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
ALASKAN BOUNDARY NOT FIXED.
The International Commission Has
Not Yet Reached a Decision.

London, Oct. 16.-The Associated
Press has the highest authority for
saying that the nouncement made by
the Morning Advertiser to-day that the
decision of the Alaskan boundry COM
mission virtually comedies theAmerican
case, is entirely untrue. The commits
sion thus far has reached no decision,
and no vote has been taken even in the
private sessions which would indicate
Chief Justice Alverstone's position.
It is quite true that the general trend
OF opinion among those connected
with the tribunal, aside from the COM
missioners, is that the ultimate de-
cision will be in favor of America, but
there is as yet not the slightest war
rant for saying it has been reached.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
MILLIoNAIRE's SON hissING.
A Reward of $4,000 Provided
he Shall be Found Alive.

Bristol, Tenn, Oct. 1S.-Five days
have elapsed since E. L. Wentz, the
son of Philadelphia millionaire.
mysteriously disappeared in the
mountains of Wise County, Virginia,
and, Notwithstanding that party of
a thousand men has been securing the
mountains for four days, no clew has
been gained as to what has become OF
him. Daniel L. Wentz, brother OF
the missing man, has increased the
reward for finding the young man
from $1,000 to s25, 900, provided he
shall be returned alive. Should he be
found dead, the reward will be S.. O0o.>
The father has been summoned from
Philadelphia.
E The theory is held that he has been
murdered as a matter OF spite by
marauders on the property of the coal
company, which he represented, but
it is not impossible that he is being
held by kidaappers for reward.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
Where Responsibility Lies.

There are several places where a
share of the responsibility for the out
rageous verdict rendeed yesterday at
Lexington can justly be placed. OF
course, in the main, the odium of JUS
tifying and excusing tie deliberate as
sassination of peacaple and unarmed
citizen rests with the twelve indiyidu-
ais who composed what was known as
the jury in this case and it is we'll to
place in the pi1lory of public contempt
their names, as follows:
George H. Koon, foreman, former
county supervisor and farmer.
Jacob E. Saylor, merchant and far
mer.
Irwin Risinger. farmer.
George E. Leitzey, farmer.
Martin L. Lybrand, cotton mill
operative, Lexington Mills.
Milton Sharpe, farmer.
Jonas Corley, cotton mill operative,
duck mill.
Marshall Shealy, farmer.
j. B. Jumper, farmer.
Willie L. Hicks, cotton mill ope-
rat;ve and police officer.
James E. Price, farmer.
Homer Woods, boss operative in Red
Bank cotton mill.
There is a heavy responsibility rest
ing back of this on those who allowed
the determination of this grave and
important case ever to get into the
hands Of these men. There is Judge
J. G. Klugh of Abbeville, who, at
the April term of Richland court,
granted a continuance on no showing
at all and took the first step in allow
ing an outrage to be committed on
Justice.
There is Judge D. A. Townsend OF
our own circuit, whose conscience al
lowed him to transfer this case to q
county where he knew the people
we're prejudiced in favor of the family
of Tillman and against the political
faction with which the deceased in
times past had affiliated. There is a
great weight of responsibility for this
rape of justice resting upon the shoul-
ders of Judge Townsend.
It sounds like the methods Of al
Italian vendetta to suggest it, but
there is good reason to suspect that
| one of the Ubiquitous witnesses for the
| defense, who saw everything anc
heard everything and was at all times
conveniently on hand just at the prop
er moment was actually engaged il
advance to go to Columbia and be
prepared to act as witness in the
tragedy that was already contemplat
ed and designed. There were other:
on the stand whose testimony was 81
manifestly perjured as to be clearly
apparent to any Intelligent person.
And the lawyers who connived a
perjury and stopped to arouse the low
est passions of an ignorant and preju
diced jury, have share of response
bility for the defeat of justice. ant
will wear henceforth tarnished repu
tations. They may jingle the assas
sins gold in their pockets, but the.
can never square their consciences TO-
their participation in this infamou:
trial nor rehabilitate their character
in public esteem.
The dead man rests in his grave il
peace, his memory unsoiled, his char
acter untouched, with his recort
written where all may read and hi
friends be unashamed. He is better of
| dead than the assassin and periurer
and suborners Of perjury and prejudic
ed jrrors alive.-Spartanburg Journal
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
WHAT BROWN SAYS.
Cotton King Says That Price Of
Cotton Will Stay Up.

New Orleans, Oct. ls.-W. p.
Brown, the cotton king, returned
home today from New York. He az
nounced the complete success of the
bull campaign which actually handled
800, 600 bales of cotton. He admitted
that French capital was largely inter
ested in the corner and claimed that
the campaign would permanently raise
the price of cotton, the fact that a
corner could successfully be accom-
plished preventing low prices in the
future.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
The BALKAN SITUATION.
1t Seems to be ouieting Down
Turkey Will Restore Towns.

Constantinople, Oct. 1S.-The coun-
ell of ministers has decided to grant
so, 600 pounds (Turkish) to rebuild VII
lagos and alleviate the distress in
Macedonia.
In an audience held with the Ger
man AMBASSADOR to Turkey, Baron Won
Bieberstein, last Friday, the sultan
said that the present rebellion vas
almost entirely suppressed and that
Turkish troops were today meeting
with opposition only in the Djumbala
district.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21

We are very slow to criticise the
verdict Of q sworn jury. In law it
may have been technically right. But
from this distance it seems an out
yaeeous miscarriage Of justice. It is
csrsainly not the verdict Of the people.
AS for Tillman, be had fair trial
by a jury of his peers, - and he was
acquitted. His partisans are jubi-
lant, and they may lionize their man
and even try to put him into the Gov
ernor's chair. But outside Of his own
CLIQUE Tillman will forever be held in
ssontempt by every brave man who loves
cbiyalry and fair play.-Richmond
Times Dispatch.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21

Two petitions for the ablishment
of new counties are before Gov. Hey
ward. Calhoun county would have
Mccormick as the county seat and
Hammond county would have North
Augusta as the county seat.
The Grady Hospital in Atlanta was
burned Friday night.
The people Of Dillon held a mass
meeting Friday and adopted strong
resolutions condenning the "outrage.
GUS verdict rendered By the jury in
the trial of James Fl. Tillman for the
murder Of N. G. Gonzales -
Dock Wilson, colored has been con-
victed in Marion and will be hanged
for criminal assault on negro girl.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-10-21
GA BARBAROUs COMMON
WEALTH.
From the New York World.

It was John SeIden, the great Eng
lish law writer, who said that "equity
is according to the conscience of him
that is chancellor. and as that is larger
or narrower SO is equity" The final
standard by which every community
must be measured is the attitude OF it's
juries toward the laws and toward hu-
man life. Judged by that simple rule,
the acquittal of Tillman is the convic-
tion of South Carolina as barbarous
commonwealth, disgrace to Ameri-
can civilization.