The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1886-03-03
THE COUhT OF 0ENERAL
SESSIONS.
The Grand Jury OrgdnfzeI-Hts
HOnor's Other Matters.

Honor's Charge Other Matters.
The Court of General Sessions for
this county opened its Spring term on
Monday last, his Houor ]. II. Hudson.
Of the Fourth Circuit. presiding. The
Grand Jury was duly organized, Mr..
j. Reeves Wade being appointed f"re.
man. After the foreman and other
members Of the Grand Jury we're
sworn in due form, hi. Honor deliverd
a lengthy and very comprehensive
charge.
He began by impressing upon them
the obligation imposed by the oath
they had just taken. 1t comprehsnded
their whole duty and afforded a safe
guide to their duty. He then read
the oath and explained its full nean-
ing and purport. "You shall diligent-
ly inquire. and true presentment make
Of all such matters and things as shall
be given you in charge" The matters
and things given you in charge are
bills of indictment, the supervision Of
the county Offices, public buildings.
highways, bridges and ferries, and that
which pertains 10 the peace and quiet
Of the people.
In passing upon charges you shall
make deliberate inquiry and invesligs-
tion not a hasty examination of the
testimony. In bills, the charge against
the defendant ia distinctly set forth.
The charge 10 made by the State.
There 10 no indictment until you 6ud
"trus bill". You, therefore. in the
name Of the State, prefer the charge
embodied in the indictment. The sx-
animation before you is er parte. You
examine witnesses for the State only
none for tho defence. You will sx.
anime those who have previously sworn
in open Court, aud whose names are 90
marked on the back Of the Indictment.
You will examine so many witnesses
only As will enable you to conclude
that there is probable cause to believe
that the offence has been committed,
and to put the accused on trial before
a petit jury. If the proof does not
satisfy you. notify the Solicitor. lie
may DO able to send before you addi-
tioual witnesses, whose testimony may
enable you to reach concl usion salts.
factory to yourselves. Your finding
must be based upon the evidence. A
strong suspicion may arise from the
evidence. but to indict anyone upon
mere suspicion would be . very grea,
wrong. There must be prima tacie
proof Of guilt; that lie, admitting all
the evidence to bs true, that evidence
must make out good case against tn.
accused. Evidence means more thar
mere testimony. There may be u,
eye witnesses to an act, yet circum
stances may prove the act as conclu
sivsly ss any testimony out OF tn
mouths of witnesses. Ifsuch circu m
stances satisfy you must Aud . bill
You do not try the accused -yo,
simply decide whether he ought to b
put OH his trial before . petit jury
"True pressntment make. therefore
means that you shall present &C
cording to the evidence before you
No one can be pu. on trial until tn,
finding OF q true bill by the Crane
jury. You stand at the threshold O
the court. You are its strong righ
arm. Judge or jury can't try an,
citizen until you have presented hin
for trial. Ysu are tho grand pslls
dunn Of the liberty Of the people.
} you will it tho vilsst criminal coul,
escape trial or one perfectly innocsn
could be subjected to trial by ysu
finding . true bill.
Not only bills constitute natter
given you in charge. but. there ar,
other matters touching the genera
welfare Of the county, upon which th,
grand jury are empowered to act. Yo,
are to Investigate. and true present
msnt make Of the manner in which
the public officers discharge their du
". Il 10 solemn obligation on you,
part {, exercise this trust faithfully
The Clerk Of Court. Sheriff. COUNTY
Commissioners. County Auditor. Coun
" Tressurer and School Commission
ss srs all suhjeo, 10 .out investigation
1t 10 to the interest Of the people :,
know how these things are mansged
II is too much trouble for each indi
vidual 10 examine aud the law ha.
Empowered you to investigate and %,
that these Offices are proper,v mar