The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-10-20
THE COURT OF SESSIONS.
Tie Judge and Other Officers OF the
Court Get Down to Hard WOrk---
Notes Of their PrO@rCSS.

The October Term OF the Court OF Genera
Sessions convened last Monday morning al
| ten o'clock, his Honor J. II. Hudson, prrsid'
ing SOLICITOR Orr and Sicnographer Aiken
were in their usual places. Sheriff DuPrc
Clerk Zpi.ler, Deputy Clerk Conner, Jury
Commissioner Bullock, and other attaches
were on hand.
The Judge made no general charge TO the
grand jury, his remarks being contiucd lo tho
bills to be submitted.
After the charge Of the Judge, Mr.. Parker
rose and stated that in pursuance OF Il rcSolu'
tion passed at q meeting of the Bar last week
h" had been requested TO ask his Honor to
continue all criminal cases until the Febru.
airy Term, where the defendants were out OF
sessions Court to Il Jail delivery only; that
owing to the crowded condition of the SEES
SionS docket IN the past, and the time taken
up by this Court, the civil docket had become
very much crowded, and IT, was proposed To
give as much time oil this term as possible to
the trial of civil cases.
The Solicitor making no objection, the
Judge so ordered, but bcIIre doing SO dciv-
cred q wholesome lecture to the members of
the Bar on the valuable time consumed in
the Court of General Sessions in the trial oi
every trivial cause that neither money nor
glory was to be gained, as Il general rule, but
10y long and numerous speeches., unnecessary
cross examination Of wit. CsScS, criminal
causes were prolonged beyond all necessity,
and the civil causes of far more importance
and value 10 the Bar and community were
pushed out of their place; rights were thus
denied by the laws delay, which had grown
to be such IL greviOus wrong: that parties who
did not wish TN perform their contracts could,
by fighting Il case In court, get the Denent ol
an indefinite stay law.
These remarks were greatly enjoyed by the
audience, some OF whom attempted to APP
Sheriff in his familiar and well known cry oi
''Si!ence!' There being II" further interrup.
ton the business Of the Court was proceeded
with.
Mr.. Joel $. Bailey was excused from serving
rs grand juror for the rcason that he has
moved out of the county, he having made
Waterloo his home.
Mr.. Samuel J. Hester was excused from scrv-
ing as juror because of his age.
Mr.. j. II. Watson was excused for the rca-
son that he hNd served as grand juror las;
Capt. ]. r. Carwilc was excused for reasons
which We're satisfactory 10 the Court.
The appeal from trial Justice court In tho
ease OF the State against John Bond, the mcr.
its of which we did not get into. 1t seems
that two or three trial justices had figured on
il. The Judge said the whole proceeding was
Illegal, and the case was wiped out.
The jury thought Eph Williams had been
guilty of larceny from the field, and the
Judge will during the term OF the Court. de-
ton to the State and to society. We do not
know the niInc of the attorney.
Mr.. l.. B. Gary did his best 10 convince the
Jury that Elias Noble and Solomon Noble
were not guilty of assault and battery Of a
high and aggravated nature, but The jury
found them guilty. aud tkcy, like tEph Will
!ams, will he offered an opportunity to work
On the Columbia canal.
The States witnesses failed to convince the
grand jury that William Pendleton and Hen
ry Williams hau offended the peace and dig
nifty of the Slate, and they went hence reioic-
ing in q safe dcllverancc from the hand Of the
law.
The case OF the State against Spencer Goth
ran indicted for murder in the killing Of
Henry Adams last summer, was tried ycStcr-
day morning. The case WAS submitted to the
jury of which Mr.. T. s. Galloway was fore
man. After consultation OF half an hour the
jury brought in Il verdict of not guilty. Par
kcr & McGowan and Calhoun & Mabry for de-
fence.
In the case of the State against Lucius
Thomson for carrying concealed weapons, the
defendant was found guilty. W. y. GrIydon
for the defendant.
In the case of tho State against Alexander
Johnson, charged with murder i'm the Killing
of Adam Brat;on, the evidence was taken and
the speeches of counsel were delivered. The
Judge will deliver his charge in the case on
the assembling of the Court this morning.
Perrin & C1thran and Parker G MCGOWAN for
the defence.
At thc close Of tho day yesterday, tho Judge
sounded calendar No. OF the Couit Common
Pleas, ard found Il large number of cases
ready for trial. The jury eases will he taken
up next Monday morning, and the whole
week will be taken up in the trial of such
causes.
The lawyers seem in earnest and are deter
mined to dispose of much OF the business now
on the calendar, which has been crowded oi
late because much of The time has heretofore
been con>umrd with the criminal business.
The General Sessions will probably adjourn
this afternoon, when the Judge will immcdi-
ately 60 into equity causes, The hcarin" of
which he intends 10 devote the remainder Of
the week..
Wcn"iIcc among the visiting lawyers: Mai.
u. T.. Whtnrr. of Ander>on McSsrs \. l..
W. J. Eichry. Esq, of LaurcnS; ". X. Blake,
Esq. O! Greenwood.
The grand jury will make their present
mrnt this morning, and the jurors will be
discharged.