The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-10-25
WRIGHT ACQUITTED
Interesting Case Tried in Laurens-
Many Witnesses Testified.
Me State.

Me State.
Laurens, October 2o.-The trial Of
7. Walker Wright, superintendent of
the Clinton Cotton mill, charged with
perjury developed the most interest
ing case heard at this term OF the
criminal court. The trial was begun
Wednesday afternoon and nearly all
Of Thursday was taken up in the
hearing of testimony. The argu,
aents were immediately begun with
the conclusion OF the examination OF
witnesses, ". C. Irby, Jr, leading off
for the prosecution. He was fol-
lowed by F. P. MCGOWAN and W. R.
Richey of counsel for the defense.
Yesterday morning: B. A. Morgan of
Greenville closed for the defense and
Solicitor Sease for the state. After
the courts charge the jury retired
at 1920 with the case and after de-
batting IS minutes a verdict of not
guilty was returned.
The state put up ii witnesses, all
present Or former operatives of the
Clinton Cotton mills, while the de-
Tense introduced 80, comprising the
officers of the mill. overseers Of the
various departments, operatives of
the several rooms and a number of
character witnesses, including some
of the leading officials and private
citizens of Clinton and Laurens.
This trial is the result of sworn
statement made by the defendant, I.
w. Wright, in Magistrate J. NJ.
Hudgens' court in this city on the
10th of August last to the effect that
the Clinton Cotton mill did not dock
,ss operatives for quitting and to his
swn knowledge it had not been done
during his connection with the mill
al its superintendent, which covers
period of five and half years.
Mr.. Wright had been summoned
to testify in suit brought by Solo,
non Bobo against the Clinton Cotton
mill for $S95, which amount Bobo
claimed had been taken out of his
children's tickets-S6, dollar each
for the children and the balance for
rents, ETC., because he had quit and
moved away from the mill without
working a regulation notice of two
weeks.
The contention of the plaintiff was
that his six children were docked 81
each simply for quitting. This was
the only conclusion, he said, although
it was not so itenized on each ticket,
as were the items for rent, fuel, etc
To the direct question Superinten-
dent Wright swore that the mill did
not dock for quitting. Bobo lost his
suit.
Immediately proceedings were in
stituted against Wright, charging
him with perjury The preliminary
proceedings were heard before Mag
istrate Hudgens. who sent the case
up to the circuit court.
When Mr. Wright went on the wit
aess stand Thursday he swore to the
same statement in toto that he had
made in the magistrates court His
testimony was corro5orated by a
number of mill bosses to the effect
that no one was ever docked simply
for quitting their job. On cross ex-
animation it was admitted by some
or majority that it was the rule to
dock when al operative quit or walk
ed out during work hours. The fine.
they stated, was usually 81. The
dockage or fine was imposed, it was
explained, on those who would delib-
erately leave their job without giving
the proper notice or arranging for a
substitute. Not infrequently the
work thus given up was left in bad
shape, which of course entailed loss
of time and production.
AS stated, there were number of
of state witnesses who swore they
had been docked ST fox no other rea-
son than that OF "qtlitting" the Clin-