The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-02-08
JUDGE COOKIES CHARGE TO THE
GRAND JURY.

Gentlemen cfMc Grand Jury:
Among the various duties of the jury
liz their grand inquest of tho County is to
visit nll the offices in the Court House
and to see that the various Offices OF th.
County are faithfully dischargng their
respective duties. You should visit each
of the officers and make true report OF
their condition to the Court
desire particularly to call your atten-
ton to the Jury Commissioners, with the
hope that you will strictly inquire into
the manner in which they have been
heretofore dischaFging their duty. There
are three Commissi0ners--thc Auditor
and Chairman of the Board of County
Commissioners are e.r o6fcio Jury Com
sioncr appointed by the Governor
sumcs the whole responsibility. This is
not right, as the others are equally re-
sponsible. The name of no man should
drawn unless he is personally known to
at least one of the Jury Commissioners to
DC possessed OF the necessary qualifica-
tions, OF sound judgment, good character
nnd free from legal exceptions. The law
does not require that he shall be white
man or black man, but man of good
character and sound Judgment.
1t is part of your .luty to visit the
Jail, examine into its condition, and as
certain whether or not the inmates are
properly fed, clothed and kept comforta-
ole. In most prisons the use of fire. place
and stoves has been discontinued, owing
to the danger OF the inmates setting fire
to the building, but in many Other pris-
ons stoves have been put up in the halls,
by which means the prisoners may in
some degrye be prevented from unmeces-
sary suffering from cold during inclement
weather. The law does not assume TO
punish prisoner awaiting trial in prison.
Aside from humanity it is our interest to
prevent II prisoner from becoming sick
Tor should he be sick the cost of attend
ing him would be greater than the ex-
purso OF keeping fires.
You should also visit the Poor House
oi the County, and inform yourselves as
to the truo condition of the paupers.
The poor unfortunates of the County are
cared for Mt the public expense, and it is
your duty to see that they are humanely
treated. and the intention of the law car.
ried out.
Especial attention is directed to the
Trial Justices. 1t is your duty to en-.
quire into the manner in which they per.
form their duties. They often abuse
their power by arres:ing parties fol
trivial offences, and inflict an unnecessa
ry cost upon the country. They are re-
quired by law to hold a preliminary ex
animation in every case, and they otter
neglect 10 perform this important duty
The neglect OF this duty on the part o
these officials is often embarrassing t,
the Solicitor, and frequently delays tn,
work of this Court. BY such course o
neglect the Solicitor is kept in the dar,
as to the merits of q case, while the dc,
fendant may in the meantime employ tn
best of counsel who is fully informe,
upon the case.
Gentlemen of tho Grand jury: In con
nection with your County government
the Office of County Commissioner is sec
ond t.. none other. These offices are in
vested with power to tax your people, t
pas upon, audit and direct the paymen
o. all claims against the County. Sucl
being the case, you must readily discove
low very important 1t is to the peopl
that the duties and powers Of the Count
Commissioners be so performed and ex
ercisrd as to seizure the interest aud vel
fare OF the whole people. Their du.,
does not cease here. They are charges
with the care OF the unfortunate poor O
| your County. They are required 30 kee
your br. ges in good repair, and you
public roads in good travelling order; an
the law provides for their punishmen
for default in the performance of an
duty imposed upon them. You will
therefore, make such investigation an
inquiry rs to the management IF you
County affairs by the Commissioners, Il
will secure the best interest of the peopl
whos you represent. ~