Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-07-10
The Duties of Grand Jurors.

of Judge Wardlaw to the Grand jury of
Charleston, in reference to their powers
and duties, which will be of interest to our
readers generally:
The Judge briefly charged the jury on
the nature of their duties. He said that in
all cases the Grand Jury has a large discre-
ton which would warrant them in throw
ing out any bill thought by them to be un-
worthy of investigation, and too trihing to
consume the time of the Court. From con-
sidcrotions Of this kind they might honest
ly and conscientiously throw out large
number of bills without fear, favor or Of
fence lie said that in this District he had
noticed particularly, and had occasion to
notice before that the issue of cross-war-
rants prevails to very great extent. When
a man is indicted for assault and battery,
the first step seems to be for the person
thus brought forward, to prosecute the man
who has indicted him. Sometimes, in this
way, very trifing matters are brought be-
fore the Court of Sessions Whenever the
Jury found a case of that kind, which gen
orally commences from mere spite, and
where there had been no serious harm, it
would be wise in them, sometimes, to reject
both bills. They also had right, in addi-
ton to the bills given by the Attorney Gen
cral to present any violation of the penal
law known to them, or which came to their
knowledge based upon reliable information.
They might present any public officer for
neglect of duty; or by giving the facts Of
any violation Of law, bring him before the
Court, naming the offender, the names of
the witnesses, the time, place and circum-
stances.
lie also brought to their notice the grad
ual increase of cases of nuisances for OBJ
structing the highways. highways were
he said, either public or private. A pri-
vato way was where one or more persons
have partial right through anothor's land.
1t sometimes belonged to several persons--
OF late, there is tendency to increase in
cases of this kind If man is sued for
private righ nc incurs the expenses him
self. But man who indicts another for
| public right, incurs no expense, but moro
| frequently subjects the witnesses of other
parties to very great expense and loss of
time; and there is now very strong temp
tation to resort to the Court of Sessions for
such cases. The Grand Jury, however,
should be very careful and not indct for
obstructing private way. Some of these
| phbliS htOo WClS vi lINUiiul hluNf uIo
have not been established by law Where
a road had been used by the public for
moro than twenty years, it became then, by
law, public road.
GAMBLERS IN CoLUMDIA.--We are
| pleased to sec that the city authorities of
Columbia have expressed determination
to root out, at any cost, the gambling Us
adjustments i'll that city, which VIC are told,
are much more numerous than outsiders
dream of. Ifthcrc is amy place in the STATE
where especial vigilance should be exercis-
cd to break up these vagabonds who prey
upon society, it certainly should bc in tho
city where the young mon of our State are
collected for the Advancement of their cd
uoation. The gambler is scarce a degree
removed from the professional pick-pockct,
and we would rejoice to sec the laws yigo-
rously enforced against them. They are q
silent but numerous and active class, and
many an unfortunate Jonth carefully and
rcligously trained at home, has returned
from College domoralized and undone by
an unsupported intercourse with these
knights of dark alleys and secret chambers
We observe that the gamblers about Co
lumbus, Ga, have bctaken themselves to
the swamps to avoid indictments, and we
hope Mayor Tradewell and his conductors
may be so successful as to produce stam-
pcdc of the fraternity from the neighbor-
hood of our capitol.
Clarendon Banner
SERIOUS CoNFIAGRATIoN.--A fire
broke cut about ten clock last night in
the iron work shop occupied by Mr.. Grun-
dell, and owned by w. L.. Porter, Esq,
situated on the south side of Quecn-strect,
between Church and Meeting. At tho
same time flames were seen to burst forth
from the brick ware house, owned and oc-
cupicd by Messrs. HaYne & Yates, next
: door and to the east the above. Nr.
Grundcll's shop was tela consumed, and
, his tools and stock, whicl Nos valued 90
$4,000, destroyed, together with 3 Small
building in the rear. The warehouse of
Mcssrs. Hayno e. Yates was ALSO destroyed
with the greater portion ofits contents, con-
f sisting of Hay, Sugar, Molasscs, &C., saving
about $40 bbls. of whiskey. From The fact
/ of this fire breaking out simultaneously in
two adjoining buildings, there is nc doubt
of its being the aet Of an ineendiary.---
NIcssrs IIayne s. Yates are sud TO bG.in-
; sured $4,000 on their stock, and $4,000
on the store; Mr.. GrundcPs stock for S2,
500. Mr.. w. j.. Porter's building was in
surcd for $1,000 in the Insurance & Trust
Company. The entire loss is estimated at
!, | $40, ,000. 49, Charleston Actos ,JltlU2 o.