Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-04-01
THE CIRCUIT COURT.

bond, signed by additional securities.
THE CIRCUIT COURT.
The spring term Of the court of general
sessions convened in Yorkville last Mon
day, his honor, Judge I. D. Witherspoon,
presiding, Solicitor Henry representing
the State, and Stenographer McCaw taxi
ing the testimony. AS usual, during the
spring session, all the farmers are busy,
and the attendance Is confined to those
who have actual business as jurors, wit
nesses, etc.
The grand and petit jurors were called
at half-past 10 o'clock and all were found
to be present except Mr.. ]. F. Reid, Of Ca
tawba, who was kept away on account Of
the recent accidental shooting Of bis little
son. The particulars of the shooting ap-
pear elsewhere in this issue. The names
of the jurors are as follows:
Grand Jurors-C. Fl. Sandifer, j. II.
Bales, 8. G. Chaplain, r. 81. Gilfillen, W..
P. Locke, 81. c. Cox, w. T. M. Beard, R.
M. Sherer, j. B. Carroll, F. E. Clinton,
w. D. CASTOR, 8. 8. Smith, w. NJ. White,
Is. v. Wallace, A. M. Black. T. B. Nc.
Claim, Preston Goforth.
Petit Jurors-J. r. Cook, John J. Jones,
Tom Gordon, T. E. Castles, w. W. Aught-
en-, 81. C. Simpson, J. D. Blank, T. B..
Ratchford, j. Warren Moore, w. B.
Hoke, J. M. Brian, p. J. Garrison, G.. g..
Cobb, j. Clinton, w. n. Camp, r. 8.
cConnell, B. F. White, T. 81. Simril, L.
B. McFadden, E. w. Conner, Jonat han
Buice, F. A. Thomas, C. M. Parrot, j. NJ.
Leech, w. 8. Boyd, E. r. Sapoch, j. P.
Hutchison, Sr., D. L. Black, II. L. Hoke,
T. E. Brandon, j. T. Burris, D. NJ. Ford,
John Msllard, 8. W. Robinson, ]. M.
Gibson. ]. b. Coltharp.
The grand jury was organized by the
choice OF Mr.. A. M. Black, Of Tirzah, as
foreman, and without delay Judge With
erspoon proceeded to deliver q quite
clear and forcible charge. Among other
things, his honor said:
Mr.. Foreman and Gentlemen: The law
makes 1t my duty this morning to in
struct you in the performance Of the func-
tions you have assumed. You will, I am
sure, bear in mind that am differently
situated from what would be the case in
any other county of the State. Though
my official duty is the same here as else
where, am a member Of this community,
and therefore, perhaps, better acquainted
with the condition, and especially interest
ed in its welfare.
Your principal duty is to enforce the law
as It is without fear or favor. 1t Is not in
cumbent UPON you to decide. whether or
not the laws are right or proper; but you
are called upon to enforce them just as
you find them. In addition to the indict-
ments that may be given you by the solic-
itor for action, there are numerous cases
of violation of law in which it Is not the
especial duty Of any particular citizen to
appear as prosecutor. If any member OF
the grand jury knows Of such case, he
should see to it that the offenders are prop
erly presented. Not only this, you must
inquire into and act upon any case that
may be brought to your attention by any
citizen. There are no exceptions to this
rule; but perhaps some notifications.
Neither the law nor your oaths require
you to make your position an engine OF
oppression or means to crafty petty
spite. Again, it is quite frequently the
case that grand juries are flooded with
anonymous communications containing
charges of violation of the law. I will
not instruct you to give attention to such
communications. Where an individual
lacks the manhood to come before you
face to face, there is reason to believe that
| he is prompted by other than proper
motives.
Continuing, his honor impressed the
grand jury with the importance ol
looking into the manner in which the
various county officers are dischargin2
their respective duties. He had no reason
to believe, he said, that any of them were
derelict; but all, from the coroner TO the
sheriff, the highest executive officer In the
county, should be investigated, and II
there should be anything wrong, the peo-
pie should know It. The, acts Of the
supervisor should be inquired into. The
duties of the supervisor are important.
It is his business, among other things, to
look after road and bridges. The duty is
very responsible one, and while 1t Is
true that he has only limited means at
ha nd with which to perform such work
as may be required, he must accomplish
the best results that may be expected with
the means at hand.
Referring to the recent attempt of pris-
oners to get out of Jail, his honor called
attention to the fact that previous grand
juries had already reported the insecure
condition of the Jail, and he thought that
if the jail is insecure it should be made
secure. The sheriff cannot be expected
to keep bis prisoners safely unless he Is
provided with the means, and the ques-
ton Of cost in such a matter should not
be considered. The safe keeping of pris-
oners charged with crime is far beyond
such consideration.
His honor had quite a good deal to say
about the enforcement Of the dispensary
law, and introduced his remarks on the
subject with a general reference to the
evils of intemperanee. That the legisla-
ture had the right to pass the dispensary
law, he said, there can be no doubt.
Liquor is proper subject for police regu-
lation. The dispensary law seeks to reg
ulate by requiring, IN the first place, that
it shall only be sold by the State. Then
again, it must not be sold to drunkards
or minors, or after night, and it must not
be drunk on the premises where sold.
The only individuals allowed to sell 1t are
properly appointed dispensers. These
dispensers must comply with the law. If
they violate any of theregulations men
toned, they are just as guilty as any
other individuals who deal in liquor in
violation of the law and should be pun
ished accordingly. His honor instructed
the grand jury to go to the dispensaries,
not "a individuals, but in their official