The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1869-09-29
South Carolina---Abbeville
County.

SSSNAVJs
In the, Courteof Sessions, September
I = Term, 1869. .r..---=-r,.
We, tho Grand Jury of Abbeville
County, beg leave to make tho follow
ing presentment:
BY committees Of our body, wc
havc visited and inspected tho condi-
ton of tho Poor House and Public
Buildings.
We arc pleased to find that the in
mates Of the Poor House arc comforta-
bly, provided for, and seem to be we'll
satisfied with the arrangements mado
for them, and particularly well pleased
with the management Of the steward,
Mr.. Guillebcau.
We find that all tho repairs and i'm
provemcnts upon and about tho
Jail, suggested by our body at the
May Term, have either been conplet-
cd, or arc in progress. We recon-
mond that u supply Of blankets for
the prisoners, some good locks for the
doors Of the cells, and, at least, two
good stoves be purchased for the Jail.
We havo audited the accounts Of
the County Commissioners and of the
Town Council Of Abbevillc, and find
them correctly kept aad properly
vouchcd.
The Boads in many parts fthe Coun-
ty arc reported to be in very bad condi-
ton, and we urge upon the Commits
sioncrs TO have them worked rs soon
as possible.
A communication signed by the
Petit Juries, cmpanclled Mt the present
Term, has bcen presented to us, ask
ing that we recommend an increase
of the compensation to Jurors while
in attendance upon tho Courts. We
have given tho subject that degree Of
consideration demanded by its impor-
tancc, and the intelligence and intcg-
rity of these gentlemen, and we re-
grct that we cannot concur with
them in tho propriety and expo
dicncy of such action. In addition
to the increased burden of taxation
which this measure would impose, VIC
believe that it would have the effect Of
making scat on the Jury an object
OF desire and OF competition among IL
certain class of our population, mere,
ly for the 7'erquisites, and that they
would crowd the court yard on tho
first day Of every term, with the hope
of being summoned as jurors.-thus
degrading the high and responsible
ollicc of Juror, into scramble for
its petty cmoluments.
We feel called upon to present an
evil which seems to be growing in
magnitude. and which. as we have
been Uniformed by Ills Honor Judge
Vernon, prevails throughout his Cir
cult, viz: the practice of some Mag
lstrates issuing warrants Of arrest in
petty cases, and upon insufficient cyi-
dence, and in committing or binding
over the parties, with a long rctinue
OF witnesses, 10 answer frivolous
charges. Besides the enormous cx-
pcndlture Of public money wl1ich
such case involves, it has direct
tendency TO disturb rather than pro-
mote public tranquility; by fostering
/ spirit of contention and litigation;
among our citizens, and encouraging
tficm to resort to 1aw for every trivial
or iancicd wrong. Magistrates, who
thus abuse their prerogativcs, arc dis
turbcrs of the public peace, and merit
the reprobation of all good citizens.
AS part of tho history of the
times, and as an evil calling loudly for
redress, OH account Of the. magnitude
of the interest which it Involves and
IIatfects-being no other than the peace
and good order Of tho whole commu-
nity-we foel it TO- he our duty, under
the solcm obligation of the Grand Ju-
ror's oath, to present. to tho pomers
That be, the actings. and doings of the
State Constabulary in this County.
Not to 60 back on the many acts Of
lawlcssncss, which they have commit