The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-06-16
TIE CONTEMPT OF COURT.
Judge Aldricl's Remarks OIL Sus.
npudinr MaSSrS. Earle and Dargan.
and Horror.

The remarks OF Jugdc Aldrich announcing
decision In the case Of Mcssrs. Ear.e and
Darpan were as OllOWS:
State OF South Carolina, Sumter County, IN re.
Mr.: j: J. Dargan. NJ; j. II. Earle.-ln the
Genucmen: Iou have imposed on me the
most unpleasant duty of my professional life.
l must protect the dignity of the Court over
which I preside, O sacred trust; consider the
reputation OF the honored profession of which
We are all members and make an example
that will deter others from o like violation of
law and prOpricty.
With the personal differences that have
brought about this tiagrant contempt OF Court
this violation Of tho law In the very presence
of the Bench, Bar and jurors, ! have nothing
to do. Only two weeks agoa similar outrage
was committed at. Kin2strce, but The was a
were not restrained by gentle breeding and
mental culture. Both of you bear honor
cd and distinguished names In our profession.
AN remember them with honest pride. Chan
ceilor Darean and Judge Earle have shed lus-
tire on the Bar and Bench of South Carolina.
The pages Of our Reports on which their per-
lormanceS are recorded Will ever be source
Of pride to the profession of which they were
lights and ornaments. All me to think OF
what you have done! How could you dim
the glory OF these names and bring sorrow and
shame to all who love you? You are both
young. blessed with high gifts, with q bright
future, and yet you have chosen to make this
reckless sacrifice.
What pains me more is, that in administer
ing this discipline, / must fnflict Il heavy pen
Your dear ones ut home, for whom my heart
bleeds, must suffer with you, and | cannon
help it. To falter now will show I'LL manly
weakness, and l will forfeit not only the con-
fidence which my State has reposed In me
but my self-reSpcct.
Why. gentlemen, If such violations OF pro.
pricty are not promptly andSeverely rebukcu
the court room Will become the arena OF glad,
ipN nrtnl 1tctNln NC npl tho rnI0n mi
department Of our noble profession will be q
thing of the past. The lawyers ofSouth Caro-
lima have heretofore been eGucatedin q schoo
where dignity, courage and delicacy of deport'
nlent were cultivated to a high degree. Here
tofore, If a gentleman of the bar felt hat hi
was aggrieved or his honor impugncd, Will
lofty courtesy he replied, You will hear from
me sir and at once the gravity and dignit,
afforded for the amende honorable. 70 flight Xix,
athletes, in the presence of the Court, was oil
most beyond the range Of possibility.
Tho most violent, the most vulgar mcmbe
q rcproach Oh his profession. 1 cannot con
ceivc why you chose this time and place TO
this unseemly thing. ! only know that 20
have imposed on me the most painful dut,
that n Judge can perform. The more 1 thin
OF IT the more imperatively do I feel the pres
sure of what / owe to the State, the profession
and myself. You have no cause of reproach
1t is you'll own rash act.
L Il iSho LIN ycNt ''bNiio =
t &c rule with profound emotion. Not q momcn
did | suppose you would wantonly dcsrecrat
the Court and otter q public Insult to ME n
the presiding Judge. Your manly and SINGER
expressions of regret touch me to the hear
and make my plain duty doubly painful
What can l do but fiji the order I am abOu
to read / wish / could do less, but I woul
be unworthy OF this position and untrue t
myself If l allowed my sympathy to hinde
me In the performance of my duty.
Gentlemen, I intended to strike your name
from the rolls and had partially prepared tn
order. But when I came to final words, i'm
petuosity Of youth, the lntirmity Of nature
the sudden stoppage OF the bright futur
which awaits you II you will curb your ten
pers and cultivate the high gifts with while
God has blessed you. al! combined to max
me reconsider. As that great Judge snd goo
man, Chief Justice O'Neale, said In a leadin
case on this subject, Personal or professions
honor wa never vindicated by rough wort
used IN the Court House." h conflict |
which you engaged Here must be n source
modification and regret. I trust 1t will ev'
be q warning.
I; It is ordered, that yon Mr.. Joseph II. Ear
' and Mr.. John j. Dargan be suspended frol
practice in the Court Of General Session
Common Pleas INT Probate untill thei FIR
t day Of January next, and that you each pa
la dine OF fifty dollars.
June lO,lSSo. A. 2. ALDKlCH.