The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-10-21
Following is the presentment O
the grand jury:
The STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,
COUNTY OF CLARENDON.
IN THE COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS,

D JuGSe.-1 ue Niado o'iy, -N AHo
final presentment, beg leave to report that
they have passed upon all bills handed
them by the solicitor.
It is with pleasure that we announce to
the court that we have no complaints to
make against any Of the county othclals,
and that we have no presentments to make
against any Of our fellowcillzens for any
violations Of law.
Upon examining the Office of county
treasurer we find his books in very pretty
condition, and said books show the follow
ing balances, viz:
Balance from Fines and Licenses. -Sllo.41
Communication road tax, 22l. II
2 mills school tax, -. 1861
i" Poll tax. ..........-.. bl3.9f
During the past summer our committee,
together with the comptroller-general OF
the State, examined into the finances OF the
county by making thorough examination
of the books of the treasurer, audltor,
school commissioner, sheriff, and county
commissioners, and we found Oil 'he u,
nances properly expended and accounteu
for by the necessary vouchers, ana th"1
their books are nicely kept.
The Office of the clerk of court IS Wen
kept, and the books and papers are as neat
ly and conveniently arranged as they can
be in the Office as it now stands, out we
think that the Judgment rolls and State pa
pers should be placed IN boxes and proper
ly labeled, and we recommend that the
county commissioners furnish the clerk
with these boxes as soon as possible.
We also find that the clerk has collected
and turned over to the treasurer SIX hun
dred dollars in fines imposed at the last
term: we recommend that the county COM
missioners provide some means whereby
they can keep the county records, either by
building vault or purchasing safe. This
we think necessity, rs all of the records
are exposed and liable to become destroyed.
The Judge of probates office is well
managed, and all his papers are convenient
ly arranged.
Our attention has been called to the re-
fusa, of the county commissioners to pay
an account of S2.70 for the draping of the
court house in memory of Maj. 81. H. Lee
sesne, who served this county faithfully as
sheriff for years, and departed this llte
while sheriff The commissioners refused
the payment of this account on the ground
that the statutes do not say anything about
such accounts, but we think that the people
heartily approve cf this mark OF respect
shown to faithful officer, and that it is a
universal custom among civilized people to
show respect TO the lead; we therefore re-.
commend that this claim be paid out OF the
fines and licenses.
We would respectfully recommend that
our representatives devise some plan by
which the Jurors and State with esses who
are forced to attend court be paid by the
county treasurer when they receive their
certificates. The present plan is hardship
because Jurors and witnesses are brought
here at an expense to themselves. and when
they get their pay certificates are forced to
discount them in order to get the cash to
pay their board and other expenses.
If it is a truism that the civilization of
country is judged by its public highways
Clarendon county is in state of semi bar
barism The roads are in bad condition,
and the officers are not to blame, because
the system of working the roads and bridges
is a farce, and will continue to be so until
the present system is changed. We there
fore recommend that our representatives In
troduce bill in the Legislature looking to
the changing of the present system, and
bringing about system of working roads
and bridges by taxation.
It having come to our knowledge that the
Governor of the State has issued lnstruc-
tons to the solicitors throughout the State
to examine the books Of the trial justices in
their respective circuits, and knowing that
the solicitor has complied with said instruc-
tons, and knowing further that he will
perform his duty conscientiously. fearless
lv, and Justly in this matter, as he always
does in the discharge of the duties entrust-
ed to him by the people, we deem 1t entire.
II unnecessary to make any examination OF
the books of these officers.
We have examined into the bonds OF the
county officers aud find them good and s1f-
fcient
We finally recommend that Louis Appelt
Esq, be paid the sum of twenty dollars tor
his efficient services rendered this jury.
Having performed the duties assigned us
TO the best Of our ability, and thanking the
court for the instructions given rs, and also
thanking the county officers for the courte-
ous treatment received from them, we sub
NIT this, our final report. Respectfully,
j. H. KEELs, Foreman.
October 20. 1891.
There were two appeal cases, both
from Trial Justice Cantey's court at
Foreston. The first was the case
against q. E. Evans for entry on land
after notice. He had been sentenced
to pay a fine of Eve dollars or go to
Jail three days. The decision of the
trial Justice was affirmed, and the ap-
peal dismissed. The second was the
case against Thos. Sparks for assault
and battery. A new trial was granted
in this case, on the ground that the
trial Justice failed to reduce the testi-
mony of the witnesses to writing.
Wednesday morning the following
sentences were imposed:
Joe Lewis, receiving stolen prop.
erty, two years in the penitentiary.
JEFF McFaddin and Reese Charles,
carrying concealed weapons, each
thirty-6ve dollars OF three months in
jail.
s.No bills" were found in following
cases:
Simon Scott, assault and battery Of a high
and aggravated nature.
John Thomas and Henry Burgess, assault
and battery with intent to kill.
Lawrence Griffin, incest.
ssTrue bills" were found in follow
ing cases, but they were not tried at
this term of court:
John Lewis, larceny.
James NJ. Meachum, selling liquor with
out license; in two other indictments
against Meachum mo bill" was found.
The following cases We're nou
pressed:
Lawrence Johnson, larceny from field.
Wallace Steadman, sault with intent to