The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-03-28
JUDGE BENET, IN OPEN COURT REFUTEs
A SLANDER

| Inc ET&emuHs " Nc"SphpCE
Having Published n Statement
that the Newly Elected Judge
COasOrted Nightly with Gamblers,
he takes the First Opportunity to
Make n Public and CircumstantIal
Denial OF the Charge.
News and Courier.
SUMTER, March 2l.-Last week the Sumter
Freeman remarked editorially that Judge
| The Manning Times did not like this and
| said some pretty sharp things about the ed
| itor Of the Freeman, whereupon the editor OF
the said paper had the following to say in
| "Since the Manning Times undertakes to
report rumors about the favorable impression
Jadge Benet has made upon our people here,
we regard 1t Us essential to truth and TO
future proper administration of Justice that
we should publish the rumors OF q different
character that are passing around thick and
fast. We hear that since Judge Benet has
been here presiding, In the day time In our
Courts he has been almost every night playing
cards with persons known as profession ais.
or course everybody has heard that Judge
Benet before his election was notorious
gambler, but since bis election IT. was hoped
he would try to mend his ways n little. IT, is
distressing 10 think he has not done so. We
know that the foreman OF the grand jury has
we hope 1t Will be we'll ventilated before we
are through with IT. We want no gambling
Judges"
Upon seeing the above Judge Benet In open
Court this morning had the followin Ing 10 say
] wish the attention Of the members OF the
Bar and the jurors present and officers or the
Court concerning matter which has arisen
since the adjournment OF Court yesterday. IL
IS a very painful matter, which cannot well
pass over.
When I left the Court House yesterday even
Ing and got to my lodging found Ia my mail
a newspaper, published in this town, ad-
dressed TO me and mark ed In certain places.
In that paper I was openly charged with con-
sorting with professional gamblers OF Sumter
and spending my nights card playing and
gambling.
The charge has been made against me open
ly as Judge. have no means Of redress. e3-
cept to answer 1t from the Bench as a Judge.
The Office hold deprives me of the ordinary
personal means OF redress, and while 1t is true
that Office puts In my hands power by which
such conduct nigh be Justly and severely
punished. will not use this power in my
own behalf.
l do say as a true man the charge Is false,
absolutely false. without even the semblance
of truth as a foundation for IL.
the mem bers of the Bar, of whose profession
! am an humble member, feel I owe II to
the officers Of the court, who have been so
kind and courteous to myself. l owe IL TO the
jurors who are present and the grand jury
who are absent. especially in view Of my
charge TO the grand jury concerning their
duty as officers OF the law. know owe 1t
to the people, whose representatives elected
me 10 the office now hold. owe 1t TO the good
men and women of Sumter. whose kind hos
pitality have enjoyed. lowe II 10 the or
flee now hold, however inefficlently. l owe
1t TO myself and 10 those who bear my name
10 say that the man who wrote this charge
wrote what was utterly untrue, without excuse
and without foundation. cannot compre-
| bend what motive he had. hardly know
reason whatever for his attack. He must
have been shamefully imposed upon by his
In formant or he must have wilfully believed
lies that we're told him. therefore feel that
the only way to meet the published accusa-
tion is TO do this promptly and publicly. =
! cannot 60 into the newspapers. Will not.
My hands are tied. Men OF proper sentiments
comprehend what mean by that. The best
the truth. And this Is the simple truth; that
during the three weeks l have been In Sumter
my gOings out and my comings In have been
seen and known oy all who cared to see and
where have gone would seek 10 hide from
the most blameless man and the purest wo-
man. SO far as that is concerned my con-
science Is clear.
Wherever l enjoyed the hospitality of
friends met good men and good women, and
while in their company did not see any
thing that had the appearance OF evil or the
suggestion of 1t.
What probably is the only foundation for
the charge Is this-although 1t seems pitlful
that have 10 make the statements that fol-
low matters purely of private lie. On two
occasions during these three weeks aud only
on TWO occasions. have I seen or handled
cards. played whist In company with three
other men who are players OF whist. We
played In the presence OF ladies for one and Il
half or two hours at a time. We engaged In Il
harmless and innocentgam of whist with no
appearance or suspicion OF money or gamb.
ling.
owe it to the gentlemen who played with
me, as they are charged with being profes-
sional ga M blers, to say that II they are gam
bers the fact Is a revelation 10 me. for never
heard IL Of them nor have ever seen them
gambling.
This is the only foundation for the charge
that have nightly been gambling and con-
sorting with professional gamblers.
sumed the gown OF Judge 1t was with the
honest endeavor and determination TO per-
form The duties OF that office SO rs TO deserve
the approval of good men and OF my own con-
science. and say 10 the men who elected me to
that office and TO the grand jury, If the man
who made this charge can prove the trnth OF
what he says I will take the robe OF office of
my shoulders and leave the Bench, rs ought
to do.
But have said enough. It is very true that
when falsehood starts on Its way the truth
finds it very hard to overtake It, 1t may be
tie newspapers In the State may copy this
false accusation. II they do, hope they will
also state that have thus openly; and court
Ing investigation, denied 1t from the Bench.
have no lear Of investigation, If 1t be con-
Quoted In the white light of truth and hon
esty. Having said this, leave the matter In
the hands of the good people OF Sumter, who,
atlvely stranger TO suffer from false charge
made by one OF their fellow townanen.
leave your town and county in few days
and when | do so / shall feel confident that
| leave my character and reputation In good
hands.
This Ia nv last word on this matter