The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-11-16
TIE INDICTMENT OF I. II. MAcKEY

In the Court of General Sessions, yesterday,
the Grand Jury returned the indictment against T.
]. Mackcy, stating that they had found ''no billn
The acting County Solicitor then said that the
prima Jacie evidence against MFR. Mackey was
very strong, and asked that the Judge would
direct O new commitment to be prepared and the
matter to be recommittcd to the jury. Judge
Carpenter, addressing the Grand Jury, sa!d:
In order that Justice may be done in the criml-
nal courts OF the country, II il absolutely necessary
that there should be perfect harmony between
have listened to the remarks OF the Solicitor,
and In accordance with his suggestion shall pro-
coed to charge you nnon certain topics which re.
unkind feeling towards the Grand Jury or any
member OF 1t, bnt simply in obedience to the die
tatcs OF n high and solemn duty.
The grand jury OF q country are O jury OF grand
inquest, and no crime can he punished by law I'M
ject OF an indictment This is the CONNIE commcncement ice e
OF all criminal proceedings. If the grand Jury
are corrupt then the very fountains OF justice are
the fountains OF justice are INSTRUCTED.
In the case before us, it was announced in the
newspapers known to the community nj large,
and published abroad, that a certain incmber OF
the City Council OF Charleston had drawn pist tol
and fired three shots at certain other member OF
not, do not know. The proper place to adduce
II Is In this court and the Grand Jury were iii-
had no right to inquire into the character OF that
defence. They were simply to determine whether
Tie majesty OF the law had been otIended and TO
report accordingly,
Not only With reference TO this case are there
loud murmurs, but there are other mntter5 which
have been the subject OF grave complaint. II has
been remarked that somS portion Of the Grand
jury do not know the parties. or I would
promptly discharge them from onlcc-wcre In
the court said, they would indict or acqnit the
men they pleased. More than that, 1t is alleged.
Grand jury do not proceed apon the he testimony
before them. but with reference solely TO the
color or politics OF the accused. Now, whenever
1t comes to pass that no bill OF Indictment for a
crime committed can be found against man he.
cause he happens to be q Republican or q Demo
administration is contemplate farce.
You and I, gentlemen OF the jury, have solemn
ears tho fgG Tor IN we
mining his guilt or Innocence, commits perjury
before High Heaven. Every juror has solemnly
and not according to the color or the politics OF
the man accused; yet It Is notorlously stated TINT
political status is made the hnss Of dcliberatlon
In the jury room, and justice Is administered with
reference thereto.
cornermit is public opinion, and not confined to
any political party-that the Grand Jury have, In
several instances, not only failed to In.lct the
have been done, but absolutely turned him loose
and indicted the accuser. 1t is commendable to
Instead OF eiTcctIng this object, the Grand Jury
throw around the criminal the shield of protcc-
tion md seize upon and punish his accusera, it is
| tempt TO invoke The mower Of q court.
There Is another subject to which i desire to
| the laws OF the country for any olicer Of this
court, or any other person. to tamper with jury.
And II the Sheriff, the Clerk or any other person,
has at any time tnlked to grand juror, and told
him that certain bill ought not to be found Il is
the duty OF that juror to make the statement 10
this court ana have him presented, tried and pun.
ished The crime is grave onc and, if II has oc-
Cured, demand OF You to expose 1t In the proper
| manner, and bring the offender to justice.
/ n hnln n
things nrc not done In q corner. The public eye
Is fixed oh you ana your actions, and 1t is my
duty to advise you OF the fact frankly, to the end
that you may do your dnty with full regard to
the honest administration OF justice. You will
now retire to your room for the reconsideration OF
the indictment against T. J. Mack y, ana the
other business before You.