Edgefield Advertiser

No Executive Clemency.

The electrocution of Joe Grant, the negro who killed Mr. Durst at Johnston 10 years ago, closes a case that has been given unusual prominence and undue notoriety. The wide publicity resulted largely from his resisting being brought back to South Carolina for trial after being arrested in Philadelphia. Grant was tried at the March term of court and was found guilty of murder in the first degree. Yielding to the efforts of Grant's counsel, and in order that he might make a thorough investigation of the case, Governor Manning granted a reprieve of 30 days. During that time influences were brought to bear upon the governor by both sides. While the governor was at Red Hill the other day, learning that there were several jurors present who sat on the Grant case, he held a conference with them in order that he might get first hand what information he could bearing upon the case. Monday morning he again gave the attorneys for Grant another hearing in his office in Columbia. But after a very serious and careful consideration of the matter. He decided that the sentence of the court should stand, giving out the following statement: "I have carefully considered all phases of this case and have given it my best thought. I have reached the conclusion that Joe Grant received a fair trial and that the verdict of the jury was in accordance with the evidence. Therefore I do not feel justified in interfering with the sentence of the Court. The verdict of the jury and the sentence of the Court will be carried out." While some citizens who felt that there were extenuating circumstances and that Grant's sentence should have been commuted, yet we believe the vast majority of the citizenship of Edgefield county are of the opinion that Governor Manning acted wisely in allowing the verdict of the jury and the sentence of the court to stand.