The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-02-13
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 1889.
Political Speech to a Grand Jury.

Political Speech to n Grand jury
We see by our exchanges that Judge AL
drich has given the grand jury OF Beaufort
and the people generally, lecture on the suo-
test OF Reform" While we presume few peo-
Die will deny the need for various reforms, we
are equally confident that any defence OF the
present high salary which is paid to Circuit
Judges Is hardly appropriate on the opening
OF q Court Of Sessions.
The Judge seems to think that s., 500 mere
tribe to pay a Judge for about six months ser.
vices. He estimated the travelling expense OF
Judge at 81 600, which would leave him the
pittsnce Of only $500, after paying expenses
without questioning the Judges estimate as
to expenses, isn't 1t rather q novel way TO
count up what would be LEFT to an officer after
paying bis expenses? Does any county Of
ncer count up what will be left, after paying
the expense Of himself and family? AS
rule, the county omcers are glad TO get the
fees, and then scuf1e with the expense side OIL
the question. For our own part, we believe
$3.50 excessive fees for q Circuit Judge. We
are inclined to think the Judge merely esti-
mated the expenses Of Judge on Circuit.
We take It for granted that Circuit Judge is
not ont more than one hundred and twenty
dayrdurins the year. But suppose he is out
ono hundred and hfty days. What will that
oost9 He will pay at hotels from s2 to s. a
day, unless he goes TO private boarding
house where. We presume. 1t may be had for
about 81 day. One hundred and fifty days
ut g day would be $3.50. To buy railroad
tickets would not exceed, In all probability
SO . year.
But let the figures be as they may, we think
the Judge erred not only in reference to his
own salary, but In attacking the offices ol
Auditor and Treasurer. In the first place, the
duties Of these offices are discharged by mer
who, like himself, receive pay from the public
crib. On1cial courtesy, It seems to us, would
have prevented the Judge from virtually say
ing 'the magnificent salary Of q Circuit Judge
10 scarcely enough for me, but the Auditors
and Trsasurers may very we'll afford to be de-
prived Of part Of their exceedingly small sala
riss." Even II he deemed 1t either necessary,
or right, for him to refer to his own salary, we
are acquainted with no rule OF ethics which
jus.iGes one oticer in proposing to cut of the
limited fees or salary Of another officer.
But laying all this matter OF salary aside,
the uniting OF the Auditors and the Treas
ursr's offices IL utterly and absolutely imprac
ticsbie. Any man who will put himself to
the trouble Of inquiring into the facts may
readily enough sse that 1t is out Of the ques
ton 10 Jotn tho duties Of Auditor and Treas
ursf In one man.
II the Judge had been really desirous OF ef
:Sscting change with the possibility OF bene
ntting the people, he might have suggested
y that she uf'lcs Of Treasurer and Sheriff be con-
.solidatsd, That might be done. He might fur.
Nther have effected some good, II he had rec
ommendsd to the crowd that listened 10 the
learned Judge, the necessity for Judge Lynch
taking hold OF, and hanging sundry jury COM
nissioners who draw juries that acquit noto'
riously guilty men. This country would
soon be set right II the nelghboring trees
about tho Court Houses we're ornamented by
dersliet Jury Commissioners.
or course we do not recommend any such
action In Abbeville county. We know our
juries are properly drawn. We saw them
/, drawn for the last Court.