The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1883-02-08
Charge to the Grand Jury.

On Monday morning the Grand
Jury. was organized with Capt. S. A..
Hunter as foreman, and Judge Wither-
spoon charged, in substance, as fol-
lows: Gentlemen, You have been
summoned by the State, to the dis
charge of important public duties, at
this and two succeeding terms; the
nature Of your duties was>disclosed in
the oath which you have Just taken.
The peace and security ofthe commu-
nifty depend upon the faithful and
impartial discharge OF those duties.
When you see that the law has been
violated, it is your duty, without re-
spect of persons, to bring the mattar
to the attention of tae Court. Ms
my duty to charge you that any men,
Der of 4 Grand Jury who voluntarily
discloses the secrets of the jury room,
not only obstrpcts the administration
of public justice, but violates the
sacred obligation of his oath. You
are not to try the merits of the cases
brought to your attention and decide
as to the guilt or innocence OF the par
ties accused; but you are to decide
whether ayin,G facie case OF guilt has
been established; whether the evidence
will justify you in sending the party
accused to Court for trial.
The bills handed to you by the So
licitor first demand your attention !;
after that, it is your duty to inquire
diligently and faithfully into the pub
lie affairs of your County, and see
whether the duties Of the public officers
have been faithfully administered.
You shouldinquire whether the tax
es paid for public education are eX-
pended as the law directs and for the
benefit of the public.
The County Commissioners are in
vested with large authority. The law
relating to the public roads may be
defective, but the County Commis-
sioners have the authority to collect
taxes for working tle roads and keep
ing the bridges in repair. And these
matters should be attended to. When,
because of the unsafe condition of a
bridge, any one is injured in his per-
son, or property, on account of the
negligence of the Commissioners, the
County may suffer.
1t is your duty to see that the affairs
of the poor house are faithfully and
economically administered. Private
individuals will not attend to these
matters. and if you fail to do so, these
public duties will not be attended to.
l make this charge in general way,
for I do not know that there has been
any dereliction on the part of your
public officers.
You should examine the books of
your Treasurer, and if necessary, call
to your assistancea person conversant
with these books.
You should ascertain whether your
trial justices are corrupt or oppressive
in office.
You should examine into the securi-
ty of the bonds of your public officers.
These bonds are required to be record
ed in the clerks Office. You can see
them there then you can go to the
Auditors Office, and find out from the
returns, as to the solvency of the sure
ties.
If any violation of the law, apart
from the bills handed out, comes to
your knowledge, it is your duty to re-
port it to the solicitor.
In the discharge of your duties, you
are presumed to be isolated from the
community. You should know moth
ing but the law and evidence, and pay
no attention to outside persons and
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