The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-09-18
The Circuit Court.

The September term of the Circuit Court
began on last Monday, his Honor Judge
c. P. Presley presiding, and Thomas P.
Cothran, Esq, acting as Solicitor in the
place of his father, who was detained by
sickness. The juries were organized, and
his Honor charged the grand jury in Sub
stance as follows:
am informed that there is very little
criminal business to come before you at this
term, and congratulate you on the near
approach of the end of your term of one
years service. am glad to see this dimi-
mutton of crime in this State, and especial
ly to see the extent of this diminution in
the up-country. The amount of crime N
this State is now six times less than it was
when the present Judges went upon the
bench. attribute this diminution Of crime
to good grand juries, good petit juries, and
Governor who does not pardon criminals
Us soon as convicted. When crime is GER
tainly punished, and certainly stays pun
ished, those who are outside of criminal
conduct are very apt to stay out of crime.
I am very glad to see that this certainty Of
punishment is relieving the county of the
Hood Of crime. which has been on us. I
will not charge you to examine the public
Offices again, az am informed that you
have already done go, unless you have some
information which leads you to think there
is some special reason to do so. It is the
duty of Trial Justices to submit their dock
cts and books to you for inspection, that
you may see If they are conducting their
Offices properly, and not flooding the coun-
try with litigation, and if they promptly
turn over the fines collected by them to the
County. 1t is not necessary for you to ex-
anime the roads, bridges and ferries of your
County unless you know of something
needing the attention of the Court. Ii
there is, you have the right to call on the
County Commissioners for information, and
report the same to the Court. His Honor
then charged the jury as to the law of bur-
glary, and three cases were submitted to
them, in which true bills were found, and
they were tried as follows:
The State vs. William Dixon, for bur-
glary. The State was represented by T. P.
Cothran, Esq, and Messrs. Murray & Muir
ray. The defense by 81. G. Scudday, Esq.
Verdict, guilty. Sentenced to one year in
the penitentiary.
The State VS.. William Dixon, Mahala
Dixon, William Robertson and Isaac Rob-
ertson. The State was represented by 7. p.
Cothran, Esq, and Messrs. Murray & Muir
ray, and the defense by Il. G. Scudday, Esq.
Verdict, guilty as to all except Mahala Dix
on, who was acquitted. Sentence of each
of those convicted to one year in the peni-
tentiary.
The State VS.. Bob. Mattison, Stewart
Sampson and Henry Pinson for burglary.
The State was represented by T. P Cothran,
Esq, and the defendants by II. G. Scudday,
ESQ.,, and Messrs. Moore & Allen for Henry
Pinson. Verdict, not guilty as to Henry
Pinson, and guilty as to the others. SEN
tence, one year each in the penitentiary.
The criminal Court was concluded so far
as the juries are concerned, on Monday
evening: The juries in the civil cases will
be dismissed this week, and the other cases
will consume perhaps until the middle or
last of next week.
Judge Presley has made most favorable
impression upon our people by his modest
and gentlemanly bearing, and his great
ability and accuracy on the Bench. He,
indeed, represents the dignity of the South
Carolina judiciary in its palmiest days, and
the State IS fortunate in the possession Of
the services of one so eminently qualified
for his important duties. He is an orna-
ment to our judiciary, and would adorn
and give satisfaction to the people of the
whole State in the highest position in oul
system, He is clear, courteous, accurate
and impartial, without any attempt at dis.
play, and evidently bent on doing right
For these qualities both the bar and the
people admire him.