Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-02-17
GOVERNOR HEYWARp.

The story Of "A Day at the Capltal,
as related by one Of our representa-
tives last Tuesday, was necessarily
condensed because Of pressure OF 9th.
er matters on our space, and we VIII
take the liberty Of another installment,
devoted more especially to the Visit 10
Governor Hayward, and individual i'm
pressions Of South Cardinals most
excellent executive.
BY his conversation Governor He"-
ward impressed me that his only con,
cerr Is the preservation OF law and
order In South Carolina and the al
vancement Of the social and material
welfare Of the state. He no doubt
appreciates public approval as mucn
as anybody; but he does not want that
approval except in connection with the
conscientious discharge OF his duty.
I would not have 1t understood that
he made any reference to this sub
ject; but infer it from the frank
manly manner In which he discussed
various subjects.
The Hoyt Hayes case has given tie
governor a great deal Of concern.
Hayes's wife was found dead In her
bed. and there were circumstances
that seem to give legitimate grounds
for suspicious of foul play. The peo-
pie Of Oconee were thoroughly aroused
over the matter and as nine men out
of ten had Hayes convicted before the
trial came of, 1t Is not surprising that
the jury found a verdict Of guilty. !t
was really a case in which 1t seemed
incumbent on the accused to prove his
innocence, and the most important
thing in the shape Of evidence In that
direction was a note said to have been
written by the dead woman telling OF
her intention to commit suicide. Gov
ernor Hayward investigated the whole
matter as thoroughly as possible, came
to the conclusion that this note must
be genuine, and took the responsibility
of committing the condemned man
sentence. A weaker man would nave
washed his hands Of all responsibility
and let the poor devil hang, tnus
avoiding all criticism: but Governor
Heyward is not of that kind. AS
doubtful as he is Of the guilt Of Hayes,
he feels that not to have interfered
would have been no less than murder.
1T is a matter Of grave concern TO
decide what to do with this case,
Governor Hayward said to me. III
Hayes Is guilty, he ought to have been
hanged and II he Is not guilty ne
ought to go free. do not know what
the consequences might be II he should
go back to his old home, and l can't
think of anything better than to wait;
hut I have no hesitation In saying
this. II l knew l were going to die
within an hour would certainly not
go before my Maker until had signed
this pardon"
Just what the governor is going to
think of me for quoting him as nave,
I do not know; but think 1t due him
and the public that do so. l am sat
isfied that he has been misunderstood
and 'misrepresented as to this matter.
and I do not believe he deserves such
treatment. No conscientious man who
has studied the Hoyt Hayes case as
T vernon Hayward has studied II
would have the heart to censure him
for his position in the matter.
Let me tell you what we need in
this state more than anything else
said Governor Hayward with decide
conviction. THAT is two parties.
don't mean a Dem9cratic party and a
Republican party or white mans
party and a negro's party; but our
people should divide. That Is the only
way we can ever hope to secure
proper enforcement Of the laws, anu
of all the problems before our people |
this is the greatest.
"You can't have laws enforced under
present conditions. There is only one
party and 1t Is every man for himseir
on the same side. There Is too much
for dadging. II we had
two parties, the outs would make the
ins enforce the laws or the ins would
become the outs and the outs would
become the ins."