Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-12-14
of affairs existed, would be to employ
Mr.. BleaSe as attorney and get one OF

Of affairs existed, would be to employ
Mr.. Blease as attorney and get one or
his followers on the jury.
But we believe that the York cor
respondent erred in his surmise. we
don't believe that the men Of York
county or any other county would SOL
emnly take the oath of a juror and
then vote according to politics instead
of according to their conscicnces. We
have more confidence in ell Of the peo-
pie than thGt.-SpartanbGrg Journal.
We have not seen proper to comment
on this case since it's transfer to York
county, and we do not much feel like
commenting on it now, because there
are other cases still pending; but in
view of comments like the foregoing,
we feel that it is our duty to say
something.
1t is a fact that after the drawing
and organization Of the jury, certain
parties connected with the case made
the statement that the panel consisted
Of ten "Bleasites" and two "antis." 1t
was also claimed that the foreman was
bitter anti, who would, If neces-
sary, hold out for conviction until he
rotted." AS to whether anybody knew
what they were talking about in this
connection, we do not know: but we
do know that this coloring fioated
about all during the trial with but
little dispute, just as docs many other
lightly spoken Characterization that
has no foundation in fact.
This writer does not know the poll
tics Of all those jurors; but he does
know some Of them, and he does not
hesitate to say that it was about as
good jury as could have been gotten
in York or any other South Carolina
county.
OF course Governor Blease's person.
ality figured very largely in the case;
but we do not believe it had one par
ticle Of influence on any Of the jurors.
BY able management, the governor
succeeded in throwing most reasonable
doubt against all of the really damag-
ing testimony, and made en- honest
conviction impossible.
Solicitor Henry brought to bear all
of his long experience and splendid
ability, and made Of the case every
thing there was in it. Solicitor Hill
was no less vigorous than Mr.. Henry,
and Mr. T. F. McDow exerted himself
to his utmost. There was certainly no
discount nn tho nrnoacutinn
The writer talked to two Of the chal-
lenged jurors, who listened to the
whole case and both Of them asserted
that had they been serving, they could
have not found differently from the
verdict that was rendered.
1t is true that Governor Blease
stressed the "unwritten law" in
which he is an avowed believer. AS
to how much weight that may have
had with the jury we do not know.
However, until he declares to the con-
trary, we are doubtful as to whether
Judge Rice himself is fully convinced
that Ernest Isenhower did not feel
that he was shooting to save his own
life. Neither is anybody certain that
the bullet fired by Isenhower was real
ly the bullet that killed Raleigh Boul-
ware.
AS to whether Ernest Isenhower was
really guilty as charged, we do not
know; but we certainly do not feel that
the charge against him was anything
like proved beyond reasonable doubt,
and let people harp as they may, that
is absolutely essential before there can
be lawful conviction.
We have never before felt called
upon to defend a York county jury,
and we do not feel that there is any
need for defense now. We believe
that the verdict has the endorsement
of every fair-minded man who heard
the testimony and that is all there is
to it. AS to whether a majority Of
the jurors were "Bleasites" or "antis,
makes no difference, for there Is GER
tainly nothing in the verdict to sug-
gest other than that they are honest
men.