The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-03-06
Court of Sessions.

The Court of General Sessions convened
Monday morning, Judge Witherspoon pre-
siding Solicitor Wilson is once more at his
post of duty after a long and painful illness.
The Grand Jury was empannelled, and
consists of a very intelligent and representa-
tive body of men. Mr.. C. NJ. Hurst, IT,,
was made foreman of the Grand Jury.
A lumber of indictments were given 10 the
Grand Jury by Solicitor Wilson.
Judge Witherspoon then proceeded to
charge the Graod Jury, and bis charge WAS
one of the inest and most explicit ever deli
vered from this Judicial Bench. He did DOT
mince matters, but made his charge thorough
and went into details. giving the law so
plain as 10 he very readily understood by the
jury.
Re told the jury that under the law they
would he required to serve for the three terms
of court, or for one entire judicial year. He
forc5bly Impressed upon them the fact that
they were the representatives of the State and
the people. and that they we're under oath 10
see TO it tina. all violations OF the statutes
we're promptly investigated by them, indi-
viduallv and together Their oath required
them TO let nothing which is brcnght to their
AtteDtlOn III tUS Hue VI NCI IL N0'J ~
unnoticed and it was their duty to diligently
enquire into all supposed and direct statute
violations. whether of q criminal or civil
nature, and when "they or he' found any
thing wrong, it was ''his or their" dnty to
report it to their body officially assembled,
and see that it was in vestigated. II was also
their duty TO investigate if a charge Is un-
worthy of the notice Of the law, If Trial
Justices are guilty of oppression or allow
their personal feelings 10 enter into offciai
actions, or judgment upon civil or criminal
cases.
He touched upon the necessity of enquiring
whether indictments were under the Jurlsdic-
ton of n trial justice or the court of General
Session, and in any case when an otense,
was within the jurisdiction OF a trial justice
not 10 allow il 10 be sent to the Higher
| Court, thereby saving the time OF the Higher
Court.
he also brought to their attention their
duty to in vestigate any possible case of op-
preston or corruption which the law does
not sanction, and their duty as to keeping up
with the standing of parties on tile bonds OF
County officials, az he said, sit is possible
that the bond of a County officer may be
good at the time of which be qualities for his
Office. and subsequent business changes or
depression may render one or more OF the
bondsmeu disqualified to he on the bond. He
said it was imperative that the jury see to II,
that trial justices keep correct records of thelr
official transaction, and that they bring their
books and records TO the Grand Jury for 10
vestigat,on and report. They should examine
into the condition and records Of all County
Offices, into the condition of County build
inps. the comfort Of the inmat Of the Poor
House, aud the security of the Jail.
Judge Withersooon touched upoc the un-
comfortable conditions Of County jails, and
the hardships imposed upoo many prisoners.
He said, II charge you, gentlemen OF the
jury, to particularly and diligently lnves''-
gate the arrangements OF your County Jail for
beating purposes" He said there was no
telling how much severe suffering was en-
dured during the past severe cold winter by
prisoners in many county jails improperly
heated. 1t is an outrage 10 lock a mar up 10
a cell and nearly freeze him to death. Many
men, be said, are Locked up in cells who can
no, give bond, and are merely kept there as
security for their appearance al court. The
law deems DO man guilty until be has been
tried by a jury of his county, and they should
be reasonably comfortable, and not subjected
to such inhuman treatment, perhaps to be
afterwards honorably discharged, aud, as an
innocent man, he has been outraged, bis
health and constitution ruined. The law, he
said, coptemplates no such punishment. He
old them TO give this heating business their
strict attention. He said that the sherifs are
not responsible for jsils not being comfor,a-
DIV heated when there are no heating arrao2e-
-.z.. !, &bo, hora M nouna of nrnvlN1np
them.
The Judge then carefully explained the law
in reference to different indictments and the
Jury retired.
After the Judges charge to the Grand Jury
there was some preliminary business attend
ed to and at II o'clock the court was ad-
journed until 2.30 y. NJ, in order to allow
the Sheriff and Master sales TO proceed from
the usual place on The Court House steps.
Tie Grand Jury is pushing the work be-
fore that body with unusual energy, and the
court is proceeding with the cases at q rae
that will clear the docket this term II no &C.
lay occurs.
Solicitor Wilson is performing his duties
with his old time vigor, and his voice caused
fear to possess the hearts Of the law breakers.
The case of Roy Robinson, by courtesy
and custom knowD as Rev. Roy, was the
mos, interesting feature ct the afternoon
session Monday. When the case was
called, and Roy stood before the bar of JUS
tice be was the center of ettraetion. Roy plead
guilty 10 the charge of stealing q hog and
besough, the mercy Of the court, saying that
he had never been caught stealing before,
that he stumped the State with Hampton in
1876, that be always had been a Democrat
and stuck up to the white people, etc. When
the Judge imposed the senteuce-one year in
the penitentiary and SIS 6ue, Roy was profuse
in his thanks, wishing the Judgea long life
in this world and a residence in Heaven here
after.
The cases disposed of by the Grand Jury
asd tried up to yesterday are as follows:
The State rs. Allan Bracy-Burglary.
Not guilty.
The State VS.. Leroy Robinsou-Larceny of
live stock. Plead guilty. One year and S.
The State ys. John WilsOn-Burglary and