The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-06-12
Judge ChriSmam'S DIsIrict-EAis
Mode of DfsPaGchin& Business.

Port Gibson Reveille.]
His reputation for judicial exactness had
preceded Judge Chrsman's entrance into
our town and county, and it had the charm
ing effect to bring out, with unwonted
promptnesS, all who had to be at court.
This was evinced by the arrival of quite
number from all parts of the county, as
early as Sunday afternoon Monday morn
ing at an early hour the streets were as
thronged as if a circus, instead of the ''cir-
Gus court" as Sambo calls it, was the at
traction. The bell tapped at nine, and pell-
nell went every body, black and white, law
yer and litIgant, jurors ard witnesses, mag
istrates and road overseers, in run and at
full speed, and Judge ChriSman had an
dience; a more intensely concerned audi
ence, more half out of breath and ''highy
perfumed" audience, and more numerous
one than he ever attracted by any of his
political or forensic etferts.
He delivered his charge to the Grand
Jury tiercely, earnestly, clearly and as if he
meant every word of it, and it was broad
comprehensive volume. unfolding the duties
of citizenshi p-the purposes of the law, and
the obligations and responsibilities OF the
grand inquest, and he had as good a set of
men on the grand inquest as any county
can furnish The roll of county officials
was then called, and every official, from the
sheriff to road overseer inclusive, was on
the spot. and answered TREMENDOUSLY but
loud. Four grand jurors wee slightly"
absent, and striking from the shoulder"
his Honor sent them down under a fine of
$25. Nelson Harris, (colOred) witness,
turned up "not in time" and ''Nels" was
sent to jail until he could pay a fine of $25.
Cases on the civil docket were all called on
Monday and set for specific days-and more
business so the Oldest lawyers told us, was
accomplished in a day than is usual In a
week. Juries are numbered-Jury No. l,
No. ,. and No. 3, and jurors were informed
that the jury, by its number, would be call
ed, but no individual name, and, the same
as to witnesses; hence the screaming and
Yelling from the porticO, all day long, is
dispensed with, and lawyers, clients, jurors
and witnesses sit inside the courl-h house.
and wait, the Court-(not as in the past
never waits.
On Monday evening the Judge said to the
Sheriff. Court will open at 8 O'Clock in fu
ture, and, there is a general upheaving and
'Ehurrying to and fro" in all domestic cir
cles, and eating breakfast at home and
swallowing it in court. is now the Chris
man CUSTOM" The lawyers all like the
Judge, and they pretend to like the NEW
departure''-bnt they take it very much
like sDotheboy's Hall" boys took Mrs,
Squeer's treacle-with ugly faces.
We have had many good Judges, within
our forty years experience in aud about the
court house of this town, but we never be-
fore saw court held just as it should be.
The court room is crowded every day, but
Is as still as a church, and it is evident that
Il sense of restraint, and of profound awe
and respect, fills all minds. We predict
clean dockets, and clear Jail, at the end of
the term, and, in the course of time, a di-
minution of crime, and possibly, OF litiga-
ton.
Ii our Judge will hold tie reins at the
present tension, without relaxing at all or
tightening too much, he will accomplish a
great reform. The court is one of dignity
the weight of the law is felt and own
ed, and rules, and system and prompt
ness govern and control, and people turn
out to court now as they did in the famous
1supercedeas era in this county.