Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-02-22
TIE p1srRI0r COURT

Tho first Quarterly Session of our District
Court. commenced on Monday last, his Honor
Judge A. c. ,Haskell. our newly appointed
District Judge presiding. and after session OF
| somewhat over two:days adjourned on Wednes'
day last 1t isueedless TO say. that Judge
Haskell presided in a style eminently Judicial
| and by his ability, dignity and courtesey, Sc
| cured respect, and inspired confidence, fully
realized the apticipatious of his friends, and
| justified the opinion of his eminent fitness for
the Office to which he has been appointed. His
charges were clear and to the point, present.
ing q ten perate and discriminating review Of
the Issues of law and fact involved, assisting
,hs jury in reaching their conclusions, without
encroaching upon their province.
The Court was organized by reading the
commission of the Judge. and swearing in the
jury. The jury system of the Court presents
tie somewhat anomalous feature of single
jury-consisting of eight jurors, drawn from q
venirs of sixteen. There is no Grand Jury,
and this provision Of the law in itself, seems
to deprive the Court of Jurisdiction in capital
fclonies, since tho Constitution of the United
States provides, that mo person shall be held
10 answer for a capital otherwise Infamous
offence except on presentment or indictment Of
Grand jury" The opinion Of the Bar here
10 so decided on this point, that the question of
the Jurisdiction Of the Court in capital feo-
MES was not made, and case of arson was
continued over to the term of the Superior
Court. In Laurens we see that the question of
Jurisdiction was made and discussed and the
decision of the Court was adverse to the As
sumption Of jurisdiction in such cases. In
Newberry there were several convictions OF
capital felones before the District Court at
it's last session, but new trials We learn, have
been granted.
There was no civil business before the Court.
The Court bas indeed ooncurred jurisdiction
with The Superior Court to the extent OF 500,
but owing TO the debtors right in this Court to
an Importance, creditors selected the other
Court. The State was represented in person
by our very worthy and efficient Solicitor J.
p. Reed, Esq. with his usual zeal and ability.
Being compelled 10 leave on the second day of
the session, his duties were ably and satisfac.
torily discharged by Col. Il. A. Fair of our
Bar. Tho prisoners were defended by the
beet of legal learning and ability.
The calendar of the term presents the fol-
lowing record of cases disposed of:
The State o. John L. Hsmlin-grand larceny.
Reed, Solicitor, for State; Burt for defendant
Not guilty.
The State Us. George Roundtree and Marshall
Perrin, freedmen-grand larceny. Reed, Solic-
itor, for State McGownn assigned for defeud-
ants. Guilty.
The State Us. Daniel New, freedman-grnnd
larceny Fair for State; Bowie assigned for
defendant. Guilty:
The State o. John Valentine and Rnvennn
Wilson, freedmen-grand larceny. Fair Cor
State MCGOWAN for defendants. Not Guity.
George Roundtree and Marshall Perrin,
freedmen, were sentenced to twelve months i'm
prisonment at hard labor-in the District Jail
until the completion of the Penitcnliary. aud
then in that institution.
Daniel New, freedman, Yves sentenced ~
three months imprisonment lie is an invalid,
and scarcely fit, subject for punishment.
The impression upon public sentiment. SO far
made, by the practical operation Of the Court,
is of the most favorable character, and many
hastily formed prejudices have been removed
by witnessing the cheap, speedy, end efficient
justice which is administered at the Quarterly
Sessions.