The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-06-20
or the Times.
An Effort to Please Reform"

For the Times.
An Effort to Please "Re form
Mr.. EDiToR In your last issue find n COM
munication over the signature REFORM which,
| think, calls for some notice from me, as in that
article am singled out. by name, as n target to
be shot at, together with scattering blaze at
the whole Grand Jury, of which l have the
honor to be Foreman. This chronic grumbling
correspondent of yours, Mr.. Editor, must be n
man of bad heart, for he can nothing good
in the act or intentions of n public Officer, and
has q chronic suspicion that all of them are
downright dishonest OF guilty of mafeasance in
office. So notorious has he become, as an i'll
tempered, dsconcutei suspicious and jealous
individual that | have not met half n dozen
persons who think his remarks are worthy a
reply lie can't hide his long ears when
he writes-thcy will stick up at every bray
Ills cyc-sight is rema rkable. lie can see
farther and more hidden sights behind n mill
stone than any man ever knew. There are
two positions, l think, he would fill to per-
fecion-a police detective and standing
Grand Juryman. lie can ferret out more
crimes without finding n criminal and imdg
inc more reform in public Offices than any
other man could think of. Either one of those
positions would prolong his life many years, as
he could satisfy the cravings of his nature by
prying into everybody's business Except his
OWN and could give free vent to that disposi-
tion to snarl and growl and complain which
alone makes life tolcrable to him ; SO let him
growl, it does himself good and can do no harm
to any one. AS to his uncallel-for attacks upon
the County Commissioners aud MIR. Hill, the
Clerk Of the Board have nothing to say, only
so far rs he couples my name and the Grand
Jury of which am Foreman with them. No
doubt those gentlemen will act as they think
best in the premises
The Jail seems to engage his special attention.
lie wants it fixed up in style, and complains
that the Grand Jury don't examine its condi-
ton. lie appears to be in sympathy with its
inmates and wishes it made secure as n place
of refuge from the sneers of the outside world.
Is it superstition or presentimcnt' that makes
this model man of Reform so anxious about the
comfort and safety of that final retreat of all
Reform, snug and secure spot in it will be pre-
pared, rs tempory lodgment for candidates for
the Lunatic Asylum. You'll be safe AMI COM
Portable.
The indecent and insulting alusioE to the ac-
tion of the Committees Of tho Grand Jury is so
palpably false and malicious that am at a loss
for dignifed words sufficiently strong to ex-
press my contempt of the fasifer who penncd
them. simply pronounce it m unmga,ed per-
90 Al, 10 hot ba
Grand Jury showed favors to any one is only
what might be expected to come from one who
lives entirely within his own shell and brca,hes
continually an atmosphere of distrust, suspi-
cion and jealousy
That Mr.. Hill wrote the Prescntmcnt Of the
Grand Jury, do not deny but the "presump.
ton" of Reform, that the notes, &C., were left
with "Mr. Hill, TO be used as he thought prop
err is another downright falsehovd Mr. Hill
wrete the Presentment in the Jury room, in the
presence of the Grand Jury, and according to the
reports handed to me by the Committees. Mr..
Hill made no suggestions, but wrote it rs the
Jury dictated. l asked Mr.. Hill TO write it be.
cause he knew the form of getting up such doc
umcnts, he having performed the same duty be-
fore. No member Of the Jury knew anything
about drawing up such an important report and
all were reluctant to attempt it, Besides, it is
n long established custom Of Grand Juries TO
call upon one outside Of their panel 10
draw up their Presentments. If that cxplana-
tion is not satisfactory to Reform, he come
to me, personally, for further information, MS |
do not intend getting into newspaper discus.
sion with him.
IL Reform wishes to be Grand Juryman. n
County Commissioner. or Clerk Of the Board
and believe he will not stop growing until he
does get an onice-in the name of all that is
truthful, pcaccahle and rctormabIc, let us he
charitable and save his intellectual faculties by
giving him something. What say you, Reform,
to taking charge Of the Poor House You
could there put stop TO the sisters and :hc
cousins and the aunts Of any family being pen
| s'oners npOn the County. Respectfully.
". T. BETSILL.