The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-09-20
THE CIRCUIT COURT.

on last Monday morning at 1O O'Clock q. m,
his Honor Judge L. G. Northrop, Of the
Seventh Circuit, presiding, and Col. J. s.
Cothran, the able and efficient Solicitor OF
this Circuit, representing the State. The
grand jury of the past two terms serves
during this term also, and the petit juries
were organized by the appointment of Mr..
VIM. NJ. Archer as foreman of Jury No. l.,
and Col. ]. D. King as foreman of Jury No. 2.
After the organization of the juries, his
Honor delivered an excellent and able
charge to the grand jury, of which the fol-
lowing is an imperfect synopsis:
1t is an immemorial custom, and, indeed,
is the duty of the Court, as well as its pleas
ure, at the beginning of the term Of Court
of General Sessions, to advise with the
grand juries and give them such instruc-
ton in reference to their important duties
as it may deem necessary or appropriate:
The Court is advised, however, that your
panel will not need so full and minute in
struction as is sometimes given, because
you have already had the instruction OF
two of my distinguished brothers of the
bench, and your previous experience in the
discharge of your official duties has been
such as to render an enlargement upon
them by the Court at this time unnecessary.
1t is well, however, to impress upon you the
high responsibility which rests upon your
Office. The grand jury is the corner stone
upon which the whole fabric of public JUS
tice rests. It is the ear and at the same
time the arm of the Court. It is your
province to advise the Court as to what
may be necessary or important to the ad-
vancement of public justice in this County.
1t is unnecessary to go into any extended
detail of the history or organization of the
grand jury. For the matters in hand it
makes no difference as to how it has come
down to us. 1t is part of our system of
criminal jurisprudence, and the oath which
you have taken is the best synopsis of the
duties you are expected to perform. The
Judge here dissected the oath of grand
jurors, and commented upon the obliga-
tions it imposes. He continued: You are
drawn from the people because they know
the wants of the public, and can present
the interests of all portions of their County.
This presentment is not expected to be
long and elaborate, but briefly stated,
and as quickly made out as possible.
You should see that economy is preserved
in all the departments Of the public service.
And just here remember that You are sworn
to secrecy in the investigation of all matters.
This is the core and heart of your oath, and
the law draws charm circle around the
Grand Jury room. Nothing goes into that
room without the consent Of The Grand
Jury, and when anything is once obtained
by them it cannot go out. The object OF
this is to remove undue influence from your
panel, and to keep your room quiet from
the storm of public passions which may
rage outside. Therefore you are bound to
keep secret all that transpires in your in
vestigations. The books and deliberations
of your body are sacred. 1t is sometimes
said that the walls have ears, and some
times your deliberations get out, but the
Court desires to impress upon you the obi.
CATION to keep secret everything that tran
spires in your room. You should have no
prejudice or favoritism. Be as far from the
control of human nature in the discharge Of
your duty as possible. Your position is too
high and responsible to allow yourselves to
be influenced by the ordinary motives which
control men in the transaction of their daily
business. The Judge here gave the jury
special instruction upon number Of lead
ing crimes, after which he called attention
to the expense of our courts, telling them
that the trial of ordinary criminal cases
cost the County from fifty to seventy-five
dollars, and hence the Grand Jury may ex-
ercise their discretion in finding bills. If
trivial matters are presented, you may throw
them out il you see proper. Examine care
fully into your public Offices and see how
their duties are performed. 1t is the fortune
of this County to have good officers, but it
is proper that you should examine them.
Look into the conduct of your County Com
missioners. This-is the most important
Office in the gift of a County, for this single
Board now has the charge Of matters which
were formerly committed to several Boards.
They hold the purse strings of your Countys
and not dollar can be paid out without
their order. You will also examine into
the condition of your roads and bridges.
The maintenance of good roads is one of the
highest evidences of civilization, and is Of
the utmost importance to the public well
fare. More money is lost to the poor people
of a country by bad roads and the conse-
quent loss of time and breakage of convey
ances than in any other way. 1t is impos-
sible to calculate the loss from bad roads.
In conclusion, gentlemen, you will regulate
your own hours of business. If you can
conclude your labors in one day do so, but
take as much time as is necessary to proper
ly discharge your duties if it trequires week.
The Court relies upon your assistance and
is powerless without you. The Judge then
announced that the hours OF the Courts sit
ting would be from o. m. to l p. M, and
from p. m. to dark.
The business of the Court was then pro-
ceeded with, and the Grand Jury found the
following true bills: s..
The State VS.. Ransom Blackman. Assault
and battery with intent to kill. The defen.
dant was represented by Messrs. MCGOWAN,
Moore and Allen, and was convicted of as
sault and battery.
The State vs.. Joel B. Newton. Rape and
assault and battery with intent to commit
rape. The prisoner was bailed in the sum
of $1,000 for his appearance at the January
term of Court.
The State vs.. Scott Davis. Murder. De-
Tended by Messrs. Moore and Allen and ac-
quilted.
Tho Cfate vs Vim r. Iou0 SAILING