The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-03-15
Cllie9 Justice ncses.

prostrSted him earlier in the winter, anc
It is thought that his anxiety to return Il
the Bench, In order that the decision o.
the great public 'duestiSl:si before The
Supreme. Court might mot be delayed
caused him to resume the discharge ei
the duties of his Office much sooner .hsu
was prudent. The general belief Is that
his senee Of the magnitude of tire issues
to be determined by the Court, and their
varied social and political Importance
provoked his fatal illness.
Judge Franklin j. Moses was born In
Charleston in 1904. His father Capt
Isaiah Moses, lived in Smiths Range in
5iecting street, next TO the Court House.
Capt. Moses commanded a cavalry COM
pany in the State Militia, and was sin
cerely respected by the community. f.
j. Noses, his son, was q boy of promise,
and at On early age was sent to tho South
| Carolina College, where he was graduated
when only IL years old, dividing the third
honor with the Hon. George B1ist. The
hon. w. +. Colcock took the frat homer,
and Robert Spencer the second honor.
The graduating class was a large one, but
disturbances in the College caused the
expulsion Of q considerable number of
students. Tho faculty passed ter young
gentlemen 20 their degree, but four Of
them forfeited their diploma by declining
to perform their exercise, and the gradu-
| ating class was reduced to six.
After leaving College Mr.. Moses CON-
menced the study of law, and was admit
ted to the Bar in 1925, when he was of
age. Having fixed upon no place where
TO practice, Judge Moses took a trip
through the State. In the pinelands Of
Clarendon he met with Judge Richard
son. There were no hotels, but the door
OF every house was open. Following the
custom of the time and cnuntry, Judge
Richardson invited Mr. Moses 10 spend
the night at his house. The invitation
was accepted, and Judge Richardson was
80 much struck by the manners and force
of character of the young visitor that he
persuaded him to stay several days, and
finally advised him to settle at Sumter,
ut that time the shire-town os the District
of Sumter, which included the Counties
of Sumter, Salem and Clarendon. Judge
Richardson and his brothers introduced
MIR. Moses into society, and gave him g
helping hand. Very soon he made his
mark, and acquired lucrative practice.
extending to the neighboring Circuits Of
Kershaw, Darlington and williamsburg.
The opportunities given him facilitated
him in his career, but his shreWdness and
ability would .nfallibly have brought him
to the front, even without the aid of I'M
fuential friends A.. 0,.Ef
Soon after attaining q prominent posi-
tion ut the Sumter Bar he was chosen a
member of the Legislature, and before
1872 WAS elected to the State Senate.
where he served until 1862. During the
greater part of his term Of service as
Senator, he was Chairman of the Judici-
cry Committee. This was n great honor.
ana q signal proof Of his capacity. for
among his colleagues were gentlemen Of
distinguished ability. -.1-.' !.
Judge Moses married Miss McC CIenahan.
of Chesterfield County, who was in ali
respects most worthy and estimable lady.
The offspring of this union were three
children, F. J. Moses, Jr., already suffi.
ciehtly known to fame, and two daughters.
| one of whom married the late Gen. Baker.
and the other Capt. Mikell, of Edisto
leland. IN Mi the private relations of
life Judge Moses exhibited q kindly and
genial nature.
AS a public man Senator Moses was
remarkable for his carefnlness, watchf1l-
ness, thorough preparation and attention,
and for his fidelity to the interests of his
constituents. Nor did ha move in mar
row circle. To I'll that was occurring in
the world nround hir. he was keenly
alive; and no man Of lis day was better
acquainted with the working of public
affairs, and the course of our political
history. A close observer, he allowed
no fact of Importance to escape him aud
it was the halt of his mind to ascertain,
by close questioning, the bottom facts of
any subject that Interested MIN. What
may be called an enlightened inquisitive-
ness, far removed from vulgar curiosity,
was prominent trait of his character.
It is not surprising, then. that he should
have been successful in his profession,
and in the political arena. Nor was the
solid reward wanting. Atthe time of the
breaking out of the war between the
States he had already acquired consider
able wealth.
Even in his college days Judge Moses
confidently looked forward to the timo
when he should hold high public posi-.
tions in the State, and the promoti.n
which awaited him after the war only
seemed the realization of his destiny. In
December, 1865, he was elected d Law
Judge; under the old Constitution, by the
State Legislature assembled under the
proclamation of President Johnson
Judges Aidrich and Johnson and Chan
l. cellors Lesesne and Carroll were elected
ct the same time. i.s Circuit judge
he displayed the rarely cembinei quail
ties OF fairness and quickness, and gave
| constant evidence Of his thorough knoTl-
edge Of the pTecedents and practice In
common law. The promptftude with
which he dispatched bus;ness was especi.
ally noticeable.
| Under the Reconstruction Acts q new
Constitution was framed and adopted !;
the whole judicial systsm of the State
was rooted up. The new Supreme Court
/, Of the State was to consist of O Chief
Justice and two Associate Justices, and
Judge Moses was elected Chief Justice.
| This election took place on July 20, 1868,
the term Of Office being Fix years. Judge
Moses, on the first ballot, in Joint Assem-
bly,, received 58 votes. his only serious
competitor being Mr.. Corbin, who re-
ceived 80 votes. On the third ballot
Judge Moses was elected. Upon tho ex-
niratinn of his first tern, ha .vns ra-r' >ntnll
without opposition. The only other Office
he has held since Reconstruction is that
OF Professor of Law in the South Caro-
lima University, in which he succeeded
the late O. D. Melton. twill be remem-
bered that it was suggested that the ac-
ceptance of this Office, under the Consti.
tuition, operated to disqualify him for
the Office of Chief Justice; but the point
was never seriously pressed.
! Wen!S .1ss It no o0uii1i speak ufr the inst
years OF the public life of Judge Moses