The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-01-30
COLUMBIA, s. G.
Friday Morning. January 80, 1874.
Obstacles In ine AdmlnIstration OF Jus

tlces
We have before Us the report OF the
Attorney General, just submitted to the
General Assembly, of the cases argued.
tried or conducted by him in the su-
preme Court OF the United States aud
in the Circuit Courts of the State, dur
ing the past year. Amongst her other
troubles, the State is head.ov heels in
litigation. Her chief law officer is kept
busy fighting against the claims of bond
holders brought against her for settle
ment, and in suits against railroads for
recovery of taxes, and against County
Treasurers who have failed to account
properly, or have pooketed the money
which they have collected, and trun
away. The REQ ord of his labors in this
thorny field is interesting and instruct
i've. It furnishes testimony to his in
dustry, zeal and ability. It shows that
the Office he Hlls is no sinecure. He
mentions several circumstances and
some new conditions of society, which,
combined, render difficult the execution
of the laws, ind impose upon the law
officers heavy duties and responsible
ties. III these trials and labors, We
must say, thai the Attorney General has
borne himself we'll. He can hardly con-
gratulate himself. however, with having
escaped. out OF the wilderness. He an
ticipates that largely increased amount
OF business will devolye upon him dur
ing the present year.
The peculiar sort of life we are lead
ing in this State, the strange history We
are enacting, is making it's ugly impress
sion in the courts of law as we'll as on
the records Of the legislative body. An
Intelligent stranger from another hemis-
phere, without acquaintance with the
facts of our recent history, could form a
correct idea of our anomalous condition
by pernsing the statutes, or by making
himself acquainted with tie .riaIs il The
courts. In this report we see refeo-
tion OF things far from agreeable or
creditable. Hero we read that the
Comptroller. Generals report exhibits o
deficit OF $445, 900 charged against
County Treasurers in five years. ending
November l, 1872 These startling
figures remain upon the books of the
chief fiscal officer, and let in food of
light upon the necessity prevailing all
over the State for the increased rate of
taxation to meet deficiencies in the
Counties. The Attor aey. Generals at
tention has also been called to the most
fsgrant frauds in the administration of
the Land Commission, perpetrated in
every County, if not in every neighbor.
hood, where the proceeds of the charity
were nominally expended. It would
seem incredible, he says, that men, ele-
vated to Office by their blind and too
confiding trust, should consent shame
lessly to feed upon and consume the
bounty, conferred upon the landless
and homeless freedmen, bnt SO it is.
Matters of like character demand in
vestigation and remedy. The prospect
before the Attorney General is far from
inviting, and VIC are not surprised to
find him asking authority to employ. out
of contingent appropriation to be
provided for the purpose, an assistant
Attorney-Gene eral, to aid him in both
civil and criminal cafes.
The evils which embarrass and affliot
the administration OF justice in South
Carolina are legion in number, and, in
our judgment, incapable OF remedy by
those new in power. The difficulties
are inherent in the state of things and
insurmountable. We give the Attorney
General credit, however, for bold state.
ment Of the evils and some good sug-
gestions concerning them. We copy
: below an axtract, which shows thrt he
both sees clearly and advises judicously:
SIN several Counties. the Courts of
General Sessions have not been held
during the year, because juries have not
been drawn in the manner provided by
law. In some instances, the officers
charged with this duty are suspected of
having wilfuliy neglected it. in order
themselves to avoid prosecution for
offences against the law: whilst. in