The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-11-13
EDGErIELD, S. c., Oct. Is.

t'N''N''~''S'f
EDGEFIELD, S. c., Oct. 2S.
The term of Court which has just
closed here has been such very remark
able one that ! cannot resist the tempta-
ton to apalyzc, criticise and satirize it,
so as to "place it upon the record" for
all time to come, as abOunding in scenes
varying rapidly from the sublime to the
ridiculous. Opening with the tragic and
sublime Booth and Toney trial, in which
genuine cloquence was displayed, it
closed with ridiculous "mock session.
on Sunday morning, ut o'clock, the bar
furnishing the sublime-the Court the
ridiculous
Since the memorable days of '76 Edge
field has hailed the advent of Judge
Mackey much as she would travelling
circus, or to peryert an old couplet we
may say that
"a little Mackey (follyJ now and then,
Is relishcd by the best Of men,
In Edgefeld, where he was converted, Or
rather saw, that it was a good time to de-
sert Chamberlain, and successfully ride
the political wave, from one party to
another. 1t is not that Edgefeld does
not see and appreciate the marked diff
ference between this "relic of Radical
barbarism" and the other judges Of this
State.
at is not that his wit is rich or rare,
The devil of it is, how it came there"
But if we interpret it Alright, it is be-
cause he serves as contrast-a strong
contrast-to warn and remind the people
of the day of their redemption; of the
day "when the Saxon wore the iron col
lar of the Norman" or "when South Car
olina hung like a rick jewel in the
Ethiop's ear" But really and truly
Mackey is a wonder A sort of univer-
sal genius, in fact for his record in short
shows him to be q natural flibuster; a
border adyenturer; a scheming politi-
clan; Radical proselyte; a Democratic
convert foreign ambassador 10 Hayes
Court; public lecturer; an amusing
wag; a vulgar wit, and sophistical
monstrosity. We would also add \
4 but we have shown enough to put
him far ahead Of anything you have over
in Georgia.
Now we have given the amusing side
of the question, but we feel serious when
we see q Circuit Judge Of South Caro-
lima playing the role of the sensational
ist; electioneering from Circuit to Cir
cult, throwing aside his judicial dignity,
and spending his Sabbath mornings
amusing crowds upon the public square
tthe subject of remark to every passer-
by); the retailer of vulgar anecdotes (;
the partisan even upon the bench, where
he bullies the lawyers and juries, argues
with counsel, indulges in low, envious
filings at other Judges (his superiors),
ridicules the Legislature (Which elected
him), and while uttering his stale with
cisns or doubtful law, is always casting
his eyes around the Court room to catch
the cheap applause for which he is con-
stantly bidding. Making great show
of his night sessions, he really consumes
more time than any other Judge on the
bench by his unnecessary and uncalled
for efforts at wit; his quarrels with MEM
bers of the bar; his vain, voluminous
and partisan charges to the juries.
When we see this man sitting on the
bench, with his head bobbing up and
down las he talks like lizard on Il log)
who cares more for an oft-repeated, we'll
worn witticism than he does for time
honored principle of law, and amuses
himself, whilst he wearies the lawyers
and iuries by the sound of his own voice,
ill Of which is evident to the people, who
are standing around freely expressing
their opinion of "his Honor )" when we
see lawyers trying to avoid q trial of their
cases for fear of his prejudice ito say the
least; and at last, when we see one OF
the oldest and ablest members of the bar
making al affidavit that he believes the
Judge is prejudiced, and therefore asking
continuation of his case, we are forced
to say, "this does not and could not occur
with Judge Kershaw, PRESLEY, Wallace,
Thompson, or others on the bench, who
are above suspicion, and this man is not
fit to be Judge in South Carolina"
All of this, and more, occurred at the
last sitting of the Court at Edgefeld, and
though we may this time forgive" those
who are responsible for the election Of
such men, as a reward for political
treachery, we pray that no political ne
cessity" may ever make such another
election even possible. This article may
seem hard, but the great question is it
true? What nearly every one believes
and many know, have written.
AMICus CuRI.E.