The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-02-25
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The February term Of coprtls now ID ses-
sion. The general sessions opened prompt
ly at 10 o'clock Monday morning, with his
Honor, James Aldricl, presiding. The u.s.
ual ceremonies of opening court We're gone
through, after which the grand jury was EN-.
pannelled aid sworn. They selected Mr..
]. II. Keels as foreman.
His Honor gave the jury clear and com.
plete charge, covering fully their duties as
Jurors He said in substance, "Custom and
experience have established it, and it is my
duty to instruct the grand jury as to their
various duties. You are drawn from the
various portions Of the county, and you are
presumed to have general supervision Of
the different l-atters concerning the affairs
of your county. Your privileges as ), and
jurors are broad and extensive, and you
have the power to bring to the attention of
the court all matters pertaining to your
county affairs.
ut is your duty to consider carefully the
oath that you Laye taken, part OF which
says you shall well and truly keep secret
the States counsel, your fellows, and your
own You should understand by that not
to divulge any matters that are reported to
you except as they are presented by your
body in open court. The object is to ad-
minister justice and at the same time pre-
vent those who are reported from knowing
who reported them.
"You have other important duties to per-
form. You are to look into the financial
management of your county, especially the
Offices of county commissioners, treasurer,
school commissioner, and trial justices; to
see whether these officers have performed
their duties according to law. The law pre-
c3bes the duties of all the officers; there
are different officers assigned to the differ
eat departments of your courty government;
and it is your privilege to investigate the
manner in which they conduct their Offices
''You have general supervision OF all the
roads, bridges, and ferries, and have the
right to make such suggestions as you think
will be needed for their betterment and I'M
proyement. You also have charge of your
county poor house, and it is your duty to
see that the inmates are properly cared for:
they are to be properly fed and clothed, and
not to be treated like criminals.
'IJ is your duty to see that the county
Jail is safe and comfortable. The law PEE
sumes every person innocent until he is
found guilty by petit jury Of his county,
aud persons placed in the Jail are not placed
there for punishment until they have been
convicted.
ST read few days ago in the newspapers
how prisoner from your jail was taken out
and carried to an adjoining 20 lnty to pro-
tecs him from beinglynched. The accounts
in the papers were somewhat confused as to
whether or not the Jail was strong enough to
keep the prisoner or whether the jail
was strong enough to keep out a
mob who may do violence to the
prisoner. am not certain which 1t was,
but lynch law must not be tolerated in South
outrageous violation of the law should be
punished to the full extent of the law. It
Is a CRYING shame and blot on our civiliZa
tion. I did not believe when read the ac-
count in the newspapers, that any lynching
was contemplated, and now, after looking at
these persons before me, from all sections of
your county, do not believe ole word Of
the published threatenings of lynch law"
The court then Instructed the grand jury
as to the several bills handed them by the
solicitor,
The first case tried was that Of Madison
term of the court for an aggravated assault
and battery with intent to kill. After his
conviction his employer got an attorney to
intercede for him as the witnesses in behalf
of the prisoner did not get to court in time
to testify. Upon this statement being made
to the court new trial was granted. This,
also, resulted in conviction, the proof being
conclusive that the prisoner. who is a young
colored man, struck very aged "mauma"
with large billet of wood, knocking one
eye completely out. The Judge told the
prisoner that the jury very properly convict
ed him, and that he would double the SEN
tence given him at the former trial. He
then sentenced him to pay fine of $500, or
to serve Is months in the penitentiary at
hard labor.
John A. Ward was arraigned on the charge
Of murder. He pleaded not guilty, and b.
agreement Of counsel the case was set for
Wednesday morning.
Edmund Hoiladay was also arraigned for
murder, and the plea being not guilty the
trial was set to be taken up Immediately af-
ter the Ward case.
The next case was that of a. C. Briggs for
selling liquor at Silver without State IL
e.nse This case created considerable IN
terest owing to the prominence OF the par
ties concerned, and was hotly contested by
the State and defence. Court imposed a
6ae of S100 or months in the county jail
The SlQ1 was paid.
Tuesday morning March Holladay (col-
ored) charged with assault and battery with
intent to kill was called and not appearing
for trial the court empanslled jury and
trie.i him in his absence. Guilty. Sealed
sentence.
The case against Thos. ". Brown for as
sa1lt and battery with intent to kill and car
rying concealed weapon was continued on
account of the illness of the defendant
Charles F. McFai din entered plea of
guilty against himself for carrying a con-
ceaied weapon. He was fined $50 or two
months in Jail. He paid the $50.
Henry Owens, (colored) HOUSEKEEPING
and grand larceny. Plead guilty Sentenced
to years in the penitentiary at hard labor
In the following cases the grand jury
found no bill, and the cases were dismissed:
J. C. Stukes, assault and battery with in
tent to kill.
j. C. Stukes, carrying concealed weapons.
Wash Tennison, assault and battery with
intent to kill.
The case against A. c. Briggs and E. P.
Briggs for selling liquor at Silver without
a license was then tried, and as ID the for
mer case against one OF the defendants
great interest was exhibited. The jury rem
6ered verdict of guilty as to beth Of the
defendants, and the sentence OF the court
was q fine of Sl00 each or imprisonment in
the county jail months each. Counsel tor
defendants gave notice Of appeal.
Dr. Sss Of The ssa2S jNSy ssn2sted to