The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1869-10-01
South Carolina-,-Abbeville
County.
l" the Court Of Sessions, September
Term, 1869.

We, tho Grand Jury Of AbbcvilIo
County, beg leave to mako the follow
| ing prcscntmcnt:
by committees of our body, we
have visited and inspected tho condi-
tion of tho Poor lIouso and Public
Buildings.
Wo arc pleased 10 find that the in
mates of tho Poor House arc eomforta.
bly, provided for, and seem to be we'll
satisfied with the arrangements mado
ior them, and particularly well pleased d
with the management Of the steward,
Mr.. Guillcbcau.
We find that all tho repairs and ih-
provcmcnts upon and about tho
Jail, suggested by our body at the
May Term, have either been conplet-
cd, or are in progress. We recon-
mend that supply of blankets for
the prisoners, some good locks for the
doors of tho cells, and, at least, two
good stoves be purchased for the Jail.
We havo audited tho accounts of
the County Commissioners and of tho
Town Council Of Abbcvillc, and find
them correctly kept aad properly
| vouchcd.
The Roads in many parts Of the Coun-
ty are reported to be in very bad condi-
ton, and we urge upon tho Commits
sioncrs TO have them worked rs soon
as possible.
A communication signed by the
Icut Juries, cmrancllcd ut the present
Term, has bccn~prcsentcd to us, ask
ing that we recommend an increase
OF the compensation to Jurors while
in attendance upon the Courts. We
have given tho subject that degree of
consideration demanded by its impor-
tancc, and tho intelligence and intcg-
rity of these gentlemen, and we re-
grct that we cannot concur with
them in tho propricty and cxpc-
diency of such action. In addition
to the increased burden of taxation
which this measure would impose, we
believe that it would have tho effect of
making scat Oh the Jury an object
OF dcsiro and Of competition among o.
certain class of our population, mere
~ 1or tho 7'erquisites, and that they
would crowd the court yard on the
hrst day of every term, with the hope
of being summoned as jurors-thus
degrading the high and responsible
Office of Juror, into a scramble for
its petty emoluments.
We feel called upon to present an
evil which seems to bo growing in
magnitude. and which. as we have
been informed by His Honor Judge
Vernon, prevails throughout his Cir
cult, viz: the practice Of some Mag
latrates issuing warrants Of arrest in
petty cases, and upon insufficient owl
dcnce, and in committing or binding
over the parties, with q long rctinuo
OF witnesses, to answer frivolous
charges. Besides the enormous ex-
penditure Of public money whieh
such case involves, it has a direct
tendency to disturb rather than pro-
moto public tranquility; by fostering
spirit of contention and litigation
among our citizens, and encouraging
them to resort to law for every trivial
or fancicd wrong. Magistrates, who
thus abuse their prcrogativcs, are dis
turbers of the public peace, and merit
the roprobation of all good citizens.
AS part Of tho history of the
times, and as an evil calling loudly for
redress, on account Of the magnitude
of the interest which it involves and
affects-being no other than tho peace
and good order of tho whole commu-
nity-we feel it to be our duty, under
the solem obligation of the Grand Ju-
ror's oath, to present to the pouers
that be, tho actings and doings of tho
State Constabulary in this County.
Not to go back on the many acts of
lawlessness, which they have commit
ted, Of which We, as individuals, have
knowledge, it is enough that we ad-
vert to tho outrage which was porpe-
tratedby members of the Constabula-
ry during the present week, and
which came under our observation in
our organized ,cspacity. On Monday
of the present fern citizen Of this
County, who was under bond to at
tend the Court, was, without warrant
or process Of law, seized by a member
Of the Copstnbulary, and violently
and against remonstrance, forced in
to the Municipal Prison of the
Town-at this junction nothing
but tho most determined efforts
on the part Of certain influential
persons of the Town and country,
prevented the effusion of blood. A,
warrant having been obtained for the
arrest Of the offender, he was brought
before O. Magistrate; but. instead. of
being committed to Jail, or. bound over
to answer for his crime, by order of