Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1871-11-09
Jhs 3saufart gspnblieatg,
THURSDAY. NOVEMBER, 9, 1871.
/S2IExpL1NAroRY\

DEAR REPUBLICAN.-Since my arrival at
home, from whence I did not flee to avoid
the yellow. Fever, nor stay away avoiding
the discharge of public duty through fear of
evilse myself, a have learned that my, alb
sencts has been construed to be a most mani
fsstand gross derilection of duty as county
officer, entaihng' among other serious conse-
quenees much peeaniary loss and damage to
theIGountg, already staggering under two
heavy. burdens. IF am really blame wor-
tbv IN the matter of the failure to hold a
term of Court in October under the, admin
istration of the newly appointed Judge, l
must needs now suffer, or ought to suffer all
the evil consequences resulting from my neg
lect, even to the judgement of fines and pen
alties; but trust you will grant me the
space necessary to vindicate myself if | am
able to do so, from the charge which seems
to be Brought against my official character.
Ga the 18th of. September, being then in
Vermont wrote to my Deputy here that
':ifsany one should be appointed to the office
Of Judge in time to secure the Jury say be-
fore End or Sd Of October, to issue the writ
for the Jury, conferring with the Solicitor in
reference to it" On the 23d Sept l ad-
dressed the Solicitor (having heard mean
while that Judge Farmer had been appoint
ed, but had not qualifed) saying, If he
does qualify please tell McGregor, to issue
the -venire and / will be home." Judge
Farmer came down to Walterboro from the
CapitelYwhere he had qualified at about the
10th of October, and on arriving at home
found letter from the Solicitor, stating that
"there was much sickness in Beaufort, that
no jury had been summoned, and little If any
preparation made for term of Court, there
being but six prisoners in the jail. Singu-
larly enough, and most unaccountably, the
letter sent by me to my deputy never has
come to hand, and the one that should have
reached Major Wiggin b. the 9th Sept.
was only placed in his hands on Oct llth.
Moreover Judge Farmer would not have
remained here-as he himself publicly stat
ed-had jury been in attendance any long
er than to have dismissed them to their
homes. AS it was, the Judge did not even
remove his wearing apparel, during the
night of his stay, and left before "duy-
break" of the succeeding morning.
But the chief allegation against the dere-
llct Clerk is the loss,-the expense-entailed
upon Our poor County. BY his forgetful-
ness of duty, or incompetence. Let US make
trial balance First the county loses the
cost of keeping six prisoners-say till Feby.
term, or one hundred days at $40 for each,
500. Had renires been issued, and jar
rors and witnesses been in attendance ioI
two days only, in the event Of the Judge de-
clining to hold Court-as he declared he
should have done-the County bills would
have been at least 5000. Had he on the
other hand gone on with the Term, and
convicted six men, at cost OF $500 to $500
dollars more, the whole of them might very
likely have been sentenced to the County
Jail where they now lie, and would the ex.
pense of their maintenance have been less
ened ''by their trial'
do not pretend to be faultless either as
private citizen or as a public officer, but l do
assume that since | have been in my pres
ent position-and for long course of public
ksryice antecedent to 1868, in which | have
D occupie here, in Beaufort have en-
(eavored to fulfil the duty pertaining to each
station, as best 1 might. If, while [ was
acting for and among the masses of my col
ored friends at Port Royal in military times,
there had been cause for my being sent out
of the Department even-as some we're
the Commanding officer would doubtless
have used his power, and disgrace his undu-
tiful subordinate; and if now there is just
cause for the censure of the people to be Wis
ted upon my head, l am willing to bear it.
/ came back from my northern visit vastly
improved in general health, much better fit
ted for any future labor, and ready to do
whatever l may for the good of our County,
and my only wish in regard to those who
seem disposed'to arraign my official conduct
or misconduct is, that each one of them
might have the privilege of spending two as
happy month in the might of the natural
beauty, the culture and enterprise of the
north as l have done, which am sure would
heal most of their physical if not their NOR
al and mental distresSeS.
Very Respectfully,
H. G.. JUDD
Clerk of Court.