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 "Reform"
Mn. EDITOR I'm your last issue find a COM
munication over the signature "Reform," which,
1 think, calls for some notice from me- as in that
article nm singled out. by name, as n target to
be shot at, together with n scattering blaze at
the whole Grand Jury, of which l have the
honor to be Foreman. This chronic grumbling
man Of bad heart, for he can see nothing good
in the act or intentions of public Officer. and
hns n chronic suspicion that all Of them are
downright dishonest or guilty Of malfeasance in
office. So notorious has he become, rs an ill.
tempered, discontinued, suspicious and jealous
individual that have not met half dozen
persons who think his remarks are worthy
reply. lie can't hide his long ears when
he writes-they will stick up at every bray.
His cye.sight is rema rkable. lie can see
farther and more hidden sights behind mill
stone than any man ever knew. There are
two positions, 1 think, he would fill to per-
fection-a police detective and standing
Grand Juryman. lie can ferret out more
crimes without finding q criminal and imdg
inc more reform in public Offices than my
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-
ton TO snnrl and growl md complain which
alone makes life tolerable to him so let him
growl, it does himself good and can do no harm
tn any ono. AS to his uncalled-for attacks upon
the County Commissioners aud Mr.. 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 net as they think
best in the premises
The Jail seems to engage his special attention.
He wants it fixed up in style, and complains
that the Grand Jury don't examine its condi-
tion. He appears to be in sympathy with its
inmates and wishes IL made secure ns n place
Of refuge from the sneers of the outside world.
Is it Superstition or presentiment' that makes
this model man Of Reform so anxious about the
comfort and safety Of that final retreat Of all
evil thinking men? Don't bother about il now,
Reform, q snug and secure spot in it will be pre-
pared, as tempory lodgment for candidates for
u
Portable.
The indecent and insulting allusion to the ac-
tion Of the Committees Of the Grand Jury is 30
palpably false and malicious that am at loss
for digni6ed words sufficiently strong to ex-
press my contempt Of the falsi6er who penned
them. simply pronounce it an unmigated per-
version Of the truth. The insinuation that the
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 breathes
continually On atmosphere Of distrust, suspi-
cion md jealousy.
That Mr. Hill wrote the Presentment Of the
Grand Jury, do not deny but the "presump.
tion" 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 Presentmsnt in the Jury room, in the
preseneeOf the Grand Jury, and according to the
reports handed to me by the Committees. Mr.
Hill made no suggestions, but wrote it as the
Jury dictated. 1 asked Mr.. Hill 10 write il be.
cause he knew the form Of getting up such doc
uments, 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 Il. Besides, IL is
long established custom of Grand Juries to
call upon some one outside Of their panel 10
draw up their Presentments. IL that expIana-
tion Is not satisfactory TO Reform, he can come
to me, personally, for further information. as
do not intend getting into newspaper discus.
sion with him.
II Reform wishes to be Grand Juryman. q
County Commissioner. or Clerk Of the board
and believe he will not stop growing until he
does get nm ofice-in the name OF all that is
truthful, peaceable and reformabie, let us be
charitable and save his intellectual faculties by
giving him something. What say you, Reform,
to taking charge Of the Poor House 4? You
could there put stop 70 the sisters and the
cousins and the aunts Of any family being pen
sioners upon the County. Respectfully,
w. T. BETSlbL.