Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-03-06
Court

Assembled Mt ~ O'Clock a. NJ. Oh Monday
last, His Honor Judge Fraser presiding. Aftc,
the Grand Jury wcro called and sworn, His
Honor proceeded to instruct them on thci,
general duties and powers. and nlso upon the
course to be pursued in the examination of The
various bills Of indictment handed 10 them By
the Solicitor Tho bills consisted Of two iol
assault and battery with intent TO kill aud one
for riot There are number of other bills for
burglary, grand larceny and other minor offences,
which will be handed out
TIE GENERAL DUTIES
OF tho Grand Jury are extensive and Of the
highest Importance TO the proper administration
Of county affairs as we'll rs TO the preservation
of The peace and good order Of the county The
Court Of Sessions is powcrlcss to punish and re-
strain crime without the proper discharge of
their duties by the Grand Jury, rs no man can
DO tried except OH indictment and prcsenment
by tho Grand Jury. Tho Grand Jury also have
wide scope as general supervisors over all
matters pertaining to the county and to the
peace and good order of the country ut largo
Of the various county officers mono nrc in :
vested with highec powers and duties than the
County Commissioners. Their powers Of levy
ing taxes, perhaps in this county, exceeds the
annual levy for the purposes Of the State Go
ycrnment, and through their orders this large
amount of public money is disburscd. You
should look to tho faithful discharge cf their
duties by these officers for tho public benefit
not in an inqnsitorial spirit, but with an cyc to
tho public welfare. II is the duty of these
officers 10 keep the public buildings in repair
and to, furnish such furniture rs may be neccs-
sary. Thoy also have under their supervisory
care that unfortunate class OF our population
which, from providenlial or other causes, are
dependent on public charity for support. IIu-
manity as well as the law requires at their
hands that this duty should be performed with
fidelity.
The public roads and bridges, which are Of
The highest concern TO every citizen Of the
t0uhly, and Which, above all other ,hngs, are
nm ;;,,dcx 10 the trade and civilization Of every
people, is under their charge AMI il sou know
OF any failure on their part TO discharge ms
high duty you should rcpor. it TO the court IN
your prcscntmcnt.
The public schools Of the county arc under
the charge Of another 8 t of officers, anu tLc
education of the people depends much OH Tho
fidelity with which tho functions of these officers
arc discharged. Except in towns, the public
school fund is m,inly relied on for all the
education the rising generation gets. Teachers
should therefore be selected not from rnvortism
but from thoir fitness and competency to teach
The Grand Jury has an oversight over these
officers TO see thct tho system is carried Out in
a way most likely to realize the best results
The office of Trial Justice is designed and is
capable Of much good, or its powers may be
perverted to purposes OF oppression or Of real
izing money from IT,. Since the loss of so much
wealth large portion of contests about the
rights of property as we'll as strictly criminal
matters find their wa into this court. You
should sec that these officers arc dscharging
!acir hut:cs according TO law.
You also have the right to examine into the
manner in which the Offices of clerk, sheriff,
and report any neglect of duty on the ra,, of
such officers
His Honor then briefly referred to the bills OF
indictment handed to them, and Instructed them
that The concurrence Of twelve was necessary TO
the 'lh ing of a true bill ana that they only
need examine sufficient witnesses TO satisfy
'hcm That the State had made oil, prin.a tacic
case before finding q true bill. In case they arc
not satisfied, then they must examine all the
witnesses for the State before they should ignore
the BILL
Ills Honor is looking well. The only visiting
attorney this Monday morning is lhc Solicitor
who has been with MS several days on business
Phc Court Of Sessions has boon occupied Will.
tho following cases:
Tho State vs. All Henderson, for assault and
batter-guilty.
The State vs. William White, for burglary :
guilty.
The State ys. s. NJ. Poole, for two eases o
basardy-guilty in both
| On Tuesday the Grand Jury found trnc bill
against Messrs. 7. y. McCarey. II. y. Cole b
Z. Sloan, Orr Hamilton and [, d. Fincannon 70,
| riot, and also true bills against s. NJ. Milior,
| and J. D. Welsh, town marslals of Wcsminstc,
| and Seneca City, for assault and battery Tn,
riot case in now going on in full force as we e,
to press. Its result we will give next week.
| Several distinguished gentlemen from ohc
counties are in attendance upon the court
among whom We note General MCGOWAN, Judg,
Reed and Major Wm. H. Earle These gentle
men. from appearances, are in the enjoyment
excellent health.
The weather has been fine for the business q
the court and tho attendance has been urusnall
large.
TuE KEowEE Courier reads the merchants @
Wa!haln sound lecture on buying cotton
The COURIER is right. Let the merchants pa
tho full value for cotton, and let their profits b
in goods sold Thoy shouldn't expect to max
two fortunes--ono by buying cotton, and tn
| other by paying for it in goods The merchant