The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-12-09
Governors Message.
CONCLUDING EXTRACTS. ]
THE STATE CoNsTNBULAGY.

The report of the Chief Constab
tprcsents full and satisfactory q
count Of the proceedings and expel
diturcs Of the body under his contr,
tduring the past year. Captain HUI
bard, in the discharge Of his respol
sible and unpleasant duties, has a
Quilted himself creditably and eff
ciently. Strong hopes were cnte
tanned that, after the expiration {
tho late heated contest, it would hay
been deemed advisable to dispense er
tlrely with the services Of this force
and orders had been given looking t
that result on the first Of Novcmbc1
but the unfortunate and disgracefr
occurrences recently in the Countic
of Laurens, Union, Spartanburg an
Ncwbcrry, in which outragcs wer
perpctrated, and.valuable lives wer
sacrificed, have compelled the post
ponement Of that desirable result
Recent indications, however, cncou,
age the hope that the postponemen
will be but temporary. and that tn
police duties of the State will sool
revert to the local authorities. u
to this time no arrests have beer
made of the authors and participa
tors in the recent murders and out
RACES, and, having thus long waited OF
the local. authorities in vain, active
measures are now in progress for th'
arrest Of the criminals.
TRIAL JUSTICES.
Owing to the existing prejudiccs
and the difficulties of obtaining i'm
partial decisions in litigated cases
tho Executive has, unfortunately
been thrown exclusively upon the
members of one political party fol
his choice Of Trial Justices, and, ir
many cases, persons without the re
quisitc qualifications have been rec
commended: 1t is very important
that this evil be corrected, and We
may reasonably hope that in future q
wiuor field may be opened 10 select
from, among such Of our citizens as
are distinguished for theirintelligence
impartiahty, and love of justice. In
4 PROMPT, equitable and economical
administration Of tile laws, depend
much of the peace and harmony Of
the community, by tho oblitcration
Of causes of discord and the cstab-
lishment Of friend y relations between
individuals. But essential modifica-
tons are necessary in the existing ad-
ministlation Of justice. Complaints
are prevalent that in many cases a
spirit Of litigation is promoted and
stimulated with a view solely to per-
sonal acquisition; and it is. asserted
that not only individuals appearing
be fore these magistrates are charged
extrava CANT fees, but there is too
much reason TO believe that in many
cases the cost have been not only
charged to the parties, but in addi-
ton, have been charged and collected
from the State. A correction Of these
abuses is loudly demanded. There
should be, also, IN essential modifica-
ton Of The amount Of costs permit
ted to be charged. and the State thor
oughIy protected against the abuses
of unprincipled men holding these
positions. The extravaganza Of the
cost at present, in cases before trial
Justice. are, in many instances, de-
nial of justice, as, in most Of the
minor Courts, they are greater in
amount than the sum in litigation.
Tho powers and the duty Of the Mag
strate should be we'll defined. and the
severcst penalties imposed for theil
violation. Mono should be held more
rigidly amenabic to the law than
those who are chosen to administer it.
would here remark that I must nee
csSarily depend vcry much upon the
Of tho Legislature for the
character and fitness Of Trial Justices.
and I am disposed TO consider cduca-
sion as an essential element among
them This would not be only be
proper in itself, but would afford an
stimulus to it's acquisition.
BY making Il knowledge of the elemen-
tary branches an indispensable requi-
sire to appointment for Office a higher
grade of service would be secured, as
well as a more efficient performance
IF it.