The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1875-05-16
CouRT OF GENERAL SESSIONS
Court met, yesterday, at 10 A. N.
Tho

~ uo V<}Se "a tne Gtste nSnlnSt James A.
Bcwleys jim dietment bribery, was called.
Tie Attorney -Genernl read to the Court
"a certifcatsI directed to the presiding
Judge, from Dr. D. P. Clayton, setting
forth that on last night, General Dennis
was thrown from his carriage and pain
fully injured-so much 80, that he would
be unable to be out for a week or ten
days to come. The Attorney. General
stated thnt'he relied almost wholly upon
General Dennis testimony, in order to
make out the case for the State, and
could not go TO trial without it, and
asked for continuance. Mr.. Youmans
opposed continuance. The continu-
ance was granted, and the Attorney-Gen-
eral directed to examine Dennis bond.
At n subsequent stop of the proceedings,
the Attorney General stated that he had
examined Dennis bond, and found il
sufficient to bind him to appear at the
next term OF the Court
In the case of the State rs. Robert
Smalls, Indictment counselling n breach
of trust, at the instance of the Solicitor,
formal order ~ag made fer the defend
ants arrest, fixing his bond at $4,000,
with one or more sufficient sureties, for
his appearance at the next term of this
Court, to be taken by the Clerk of the
Court of the County of Beaufort.
In the cases of the State Is. J. 81. Bry-
ant, Uriah Portee and j. j. Goodwin and
Ellison M. Weston and VIM. M. Hayne,
County Commissioners, Indictment for
Official misconduct. Mr.. Yonmaas moved
an arrest of judgment and for new
trinl. Overruled.
In the above cases, the Court asked
the Attorney General if he had examined
into the punishment provided for these
offences?
The Attorney General stated the
statute requiring the Commissioners, in
case of failure or refusal to perform
duties required by law, to pay $3.50 and
lose their Offices. He said that the $3.50
forfeiture might work by way of fine,
and that the offence being q malfeasance
IN Office, amounting to misdemeanor,
the Court, under the common law.
might fine or imprison, or both, at its
discretion; but suggested that the fine
should not exceed $3.50.
Mr.. Youmnns said that if the $3.50
clause was n forfeiture, the case belonged
to the civil side of the court
The Court said the sentence would be
passed upon the Commissioners on Mon
day next.
Mr. Youmans moved thnt Raleigh's
peace bond be reduced from $4,000 to
$500, because of Raleigh's inability to
give bond for the former amount
Granted.
James Bailey plead guilty to petit
larceny, and not to grand larceny, as
enormously reported yesterday.
The Court stated that the Court of
General Sessions would probably not
adjourn until the middle Of next week,
because of the unfinished business now
before the grand jury. The Court of
Common Pleas would be held, however,
in tho meantime. SA
The Court stated that Ben. Wood, who,
with Jesse Gaffney and Esop Thompson,
had been convicted of grand larceny. had
had no attorney to represent them, and
in the opinion of the Court he had been
convicted upon evidence of nm insult
cient character, new trial was ordered;
whereupon the Solicitor entered O nolle
proseQui as to him.
The Court then passed tue following
sentences upon the following prisoners:
Jesse Gaffney and Esop Thompson, con-
victed of grand larceny, two years in
penitentinry; Aaron Gilbert, convicted
of receiving stolen goods. knowing them
to be stolen, five years in the peniten-
tiary; James Bailey, petit larceny, two
months in County Jail; James Williams,
convicted Of larceny, two months in the
County Jail; Washington Dotrey, con.
victed of larceny, two months in County
Jail; Henry johnson, convicted of grand
larceny, three years in penitentiary;
Robert Bean, grand larceny, one year in
penitentiary; Edward Thomas, grand
larceny, three years in penitentiary; JAS.
Dickinson, grand larceny, five years in
penitentiary; VIM. Kibler, grand larceny,
threo years in penitentiary; Robert John
son, petit larceny, two months in County
Jail; John Bryant, manslaughter, five
years in penitentiary. The Court admi-
nistered lectures to these prisoners upon
sentencing them. Judge Carpenter ac-
companied the sentences with seasonable
advice and kind counsel to the parties to
reform their conduct, to cultivate habits
of industry and sobriety, and to enter
upon n new and better course of life. In
the case of one who had offered no de-
fence, and had pleaded guilty of petty
larceny, q light punishment of two
months in the County Jail was passed
upon him. This lenienoy was due to the
interest which had been manifested in
his behalf by respectable persons, who
had been moved by the appeals and ear
nest efforts of the mans wife. The Judge
feelingly reminded him of his heavy
obligations to this untiring friend, and
impressed upon him the corresponding
duty of nourishing towards her loyal
and grateful sentiment, and of ever
treating her with tenderness and COAST
deration.
The grand jury have found q number
OF true bills thus far and are atill in ses-