Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1922-08-09
Girding the Law.
In the brief time that he has been

S1S lkAS 4AcAvVs
In the brief time that he has been
governor, Wilson G. Harvey has earn
ed frequent commentator from the
press and public for his stern stand
in behalf of law enforcement. The
phrase claw and order" spoken in
terminably in political compaigns
and disregarded eternally in public
office, is not a hollow generality for
Harvey. He is putting solid qualities
into it. His adamant refusal to con
slider communication of the death SEN
tence of three Columbia m%urderers
was the first manifestation of such
spirit; scrupulous trust Of his pardon
ing power since that time has indi-
Gated chat he is to be in truth a law
and order governor.
Yesterday Governor Harvey boil
stored the law a little farther in a
communication he addressed to the
foreman of the Marion county grand
jury wherein he protested against
the granting of undue liberties to
convicts serving sentence on county
chaingangs. The case in question was
cited last week in an editorial in
the Marion Star, which declared:
Several weeks ago Thomas Turner
and Mack Turner were convicted in
the Marion county court, upon the
charge of being accessories after the
murder of Edwin White. The judge
who presided sentenced them to the
changing. They were placed under
the gang, presumably as punishment
for the crime they committed.
1t is now reported that Thomas E.
Turner simply never stays at the
changing camp, and never works;
that he is allowed 10 go to his home,
unguarded, and that life is made
easy for him. It is further reported
that Mack Turner has been seen act
ing as guard over the other convicts,
that he goes home frequently, and
that he has been seen, more than
once, gathering crops on his farm.
We do not know whether these re-
ports are true or not. If they are
true, there is something wrong. These
men have been convicted of a heinous
crime. When they shall have paid the
penalty exacted by law, we shall not
hound them, but if that penalty is
not paid, and is made a joke of and
held lightly by those in authority, we
may as well tear down the court
house and discharge the sheriff.
Members of the family Of the late
Edwin White, in passing through the
ne%ighborhood, see Tom Turner, seat
ed in a chair, in the shade peacefully
smoking a pipe, and further on find
Mack Turner gathering tobacco, like
an honest husbandman. They feel
that injustice has indeed flown, and
that law is but mockery.
In this article there is no hate and.
no idea Of persecution, but there is
an insistent demand for justice. The
law has spoken and the law should be
obeyed. These men should be freed,
absolutely, or be made to pay the
penalty exacted Of them. Complaint
has been made-will any action be
taken? If not the people of Marion
county should rise up in indignation
and find the reason why.
Such a Ease had also been reported
in Anderson county in the instance
of Will Hays, a life murderer, whom
The Tribune declared had been per-
,mitted to visit his family week-ends
and "sip ice cream sodas and pink
lemonade through a straw"
The practice thrives or has thrived
in many counties in South Carolina,
growing out of the illogical and OBJ
noxious system which permits pris-
oners to serve time in their native
habitats. It is having a telling effect
on the respect for law, making pun
ishment less reprehensible and law
breaking therefore more attractive.
Governor Harvey will do the state
a distinct service if he will pursue
the course he has begun in Marion
County and insist upon impartiality
and strict execution of the sentences