The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1869-11-20

ljcct has excited public attention, aud the
action OF the Grand, Jury is such as does
not reflect credit upon the proper I'D
ministration of justice, / ask that your
Honor will direct anew indictments to
DO prepared, and that the matter be
rccommitted to the Grand Jury.
Judge Carpenter:
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury;--Tn
order that justice iruy be done in the
Criminal Courts of the country. it is
absolutely necessary that there should be
perfect harmony between the several de-
partmcnts ofsucl Courts.
l have listened to the remarks of the
Solicitor, and in accordance with his
suggestion shall proceed to charge you
upon certain topics which require your
careful consideration. / do so with no
uDkind feeling towards tho Grand Jury
or any member Of it, but simply in obedi-
ence to the dictates of Il high and solem
duty. .a-,.
Tho Grand Jury of county are a
Jury Of Grand Inquest, and no crime
can be punished by law until it has been
investigated and become the subject of
an indictment This is the commence
ment Of all criminal proceedings Ifthc
Grand Jury are corrupt, then the very
fountains of justice are polluted fthe
Grand Jury arc Incompetent then the
fountains of justice are obstructed.
In the case before us, it was announced
in tho newspapers, known to the COM
munity at large, and published abroad,
that a certain member of the City Coun-
Gil of Charleston had drawn pistol and
frci three shots at certain other mem
Der of that body. Whether that party
has deicnce or not, do not know.
The proper place to adduce it is in this
Court; and the Grand Jury were in
structcd on the first day of the session
that they had no risht to inquire into
the character that defence They were
simply to determine whether the maiesty
of the law had been offended, and to re-
rort accordingly.
Not only with reference to this case
arc there loud mnrmurs, but there are
other matters which have been the sub
ject of grave complaint. 1t has been
remarked that some portion of the Grand
Jury-l do not know tic parties, or l
would promptly discharge them from
oihcc--were ind,scrcet enough to say
they did net care what the Cuut sid,
they would indct or acquit the men they
pleased. More than that; it is alleged,
aud | have reason 70 believe that por-
ton of the Grand Jury do not proceed
upon the testimony before them but
with reference solely to the color or
politics of the accused Now. whenever
1T comes to pass that M Bill of Indictment
for crime committed, eau be found
against man because he happens to be
Republican or Il Democrat, the source of
justice is corrupted aud its administration
is a contcmrtiLlc farce.
You and I, ecntl, men of the jury
have duties tn perform and the judge
or Juror who regards the race or culor
of an individual in determining his guilt
or innocence, c"mmts perjury before
high Heaven. Every Juror has solcn.nly
sworn that lie will present according to
thss facts and not according to the color
or the politics of the man accused; vet it
Is notori'asly stated that political status
is made the basis Of dcliberation in the
Jury Room, and justice is administered
with reference thereto.
Nay more. 1t is boldly asserted, and
not in corner-it is public opinion and
not confined to any political pariy-that
the Grand Jury have, inscvcrui instances.
not only failed to indict the accused where
the prof showed it ought to have been
done, but absolutely turned him loose
and indicted the accuser. 1t is commend
able to bring criminal to justice, but if
ii be- true that instead of eflccting tbs
object, the Grand Jury throw around
tho criminal the sh cid of protection, and
seize upon and punish his accusers, it is
perilous undertaking indeed, to make
an attempt to invoke tho power Of Il
Court.
There is another subject to which
desire to call your attention. 1t isa
grave offence against the laws Of the
country for amy officer of this Court, or
my other person, to tamper with Jury.
And if the Sheriff, the Clerk, or any
other person, has at any time talked 10 a
Grand Juror, aud told HIN that Il certain
Bill ought not to be found, it is the duty
of the juror to make the statement to
this Court, aud have him presented, tried
and punished. The crime is a grave one;
and il it has occurred, | demand Of YOU
10 expose it in the proper manner, and
bring the offender to justice
| want tic Grand Jury 10 understand
that these things arc not done in cor
ncr The public eye is fixed ON you and
your actions, and it is my duty to ad-
wise you of the fact frankly to the cnd
that you may do your duty with iull
regard 10 the honest administration of
justice. You will now retire 10 yOur