The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-06-13
THE OFFICERS IN REPLY.
THE SEPARATE ANSWER OF EACH TO
THE PREsENTMENT OF THE
GRAND JURY.
Probate Judge.

Editor Press ana Banner:
| The report of Mr.. r. E. Hill ms expert ior
the Grand Jury was submitted to the Court
last week, and not having seen the charges
made against me before 1t was read III court,
it except in a brief manner before his Honor
Judge Wallace in open court on the day after
it was submitted. adopt this method for
| that purpose. Mr.. Hill alone examined ny
office; neither the Grand Jury nor the SUD-
committee were present.
| I desire to say that am not unmlndful OF
| the fact that Mr.. Hill has been kind enough
to pay me compliment as to my nyo capacity
| hereby return my thanks for the same.
Mr.. Hill expresses the opinion and argues
| with energy in support thereof, that issued
certificates of various kinds not authorized
by law and not necessary, for which l had
| charged fifty cents each,-and had thereby re-
ceived one thousand dollars since have been
| in this position more than was allowed by
law. The natural and only proper conclu-
sion from his argument is, that did this un-
authorized and unnecessary work to increase
Mr.. Hill is entitled to his opinion, and too
second, @ as a judicial officer. have made
many mistakes in my life, OF many kinds.
and do not claim TO be infallible: But as
Judge of the Probate Court must difer rom
thorlty of law as we'll as the necessity for the
certificates issued, and hold that they are
necessary for the practical admip1stration
Of the estates over which this Court mas
controlled nor perverted my Judgment:
But leaving my judicial opinion aside let
us examine the facts as they are.
Mr. r. E. Hill as Executor OF his fathers
will received q certificate of Executorship
when l qualified him, to equip him for bis du-
ties, and he came back subsequently ana got
one or perhaps two more: He needed them
He may say, however, that he sent them
abroad. Others may need them for q like
purpose. But that Is not the sole reason for
Issuing them. They complete the evidence
the duciarys appointment t..e Mr .Iistes aL can
was unlawful in the face Of this fact He argues
that IL is not necessary to give to O guardian OF
several minors certificate for each estate
am obliged under the law TO take separate
| bond, and issue separate letters for each
ward; separate accounts must be Kept Tor
each separate returns for each are taken.
Indeed there Is great CONFUSION ana greaC ia, so
kept. can show such cases now IN the
| office, because Of this bundllpg together Of
estates. have restored many lost Aertih'
cate aee IL Was have
these certificates for the prompt oese; exc
euon and ssSa not Of paa sher y eens
ecessary papers issued and work done by
| me for which have not received cent Of
pay. This has been done because OF the
tions prin ,ipally in the estates Of minors
Will amount to not less than $3.50 per annum,
and for the time have been In Office TO ., ooo
TSis is fully appsrant upon the re-
cords of this Court If my purpose had
! been to arab fees, l could have issued
Rules againt parties failing to account
| In at least 75 cases at $500 each or Sl5e
per annum, which would make Tor IL
Again: 1t: for every search am allowed
| by law a fee of Is cents and from estl-
mates made some years since, this work
, alone would bring me in about $3.50 per o,
/ have never charged or received
cent for this work: Everybody has a
the TesGpeS aaa Sam WSen
was desired. Also as to the matter OF
Discharges, could have legally Issued
and collected fifty dollars annually IN
this particular alone, and thus got Tor .so
But I 10 protect the estates from this
expense have settled the estates with
out it.. This would have given W , me,
using the methods Of Mr.. Hill In calcu-
lation, an aggregate sum for my term OF
Even if I am wrong in my construc-
e5 Sy of ;Rs Rsa no
have received q uM
the balance to my favor would be.....".: 81 ~
But let the argumentt tb be ,a as IL hensver may m n
| wherever find that am in error, and Ill !
nsk is that the rule shall work both wnys.
have been perfectly candid and fair In the
foregoing estimate Of matters, and am willing
to make affidavit as to the approximate cor
rectness thereof
| But the records Of this Court are the best
evidence Of my fidelity In the discharge OF
| the often very delicate. and ever to me, sa-
cred duties Of this office, which has been
committed and often re-committed, by geli-
erous and conf1ding public and to thcse re-
cords invite the attention OF all who may
/ f,o1 tnfa n nnQffpr before
the people, BY them I am willing aud ready
| to be Judged.
| June 9, 1888. Judge Probate Court.