The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-13
Staff Correspondence of the State.

Anderson, March This Is not to be a
sensational story after the manner or the
only the bare facts about the labor contract
abuses, the stockade slavery system which
had aroused the interest and the INDICATION
ofa county, q State and even nation
Those facts are all contained In the strong
presentment of the admirable grand jury.
That paper is so thorough, its statements are
SO definite and its wording so clear that 81,
far as the facts are concerned nothing more
can be said.
The presentment tells the whole story, and
no hasty Investigation OF an outsider can aou
anything valuable or reliable. There are
rumors Of all sorts, but rumors are largely
false.
This morning the special term of the court
of general sessions called by Judge w: Z
Benet to receive the report OF the grand jury
began at 10 O'Clock. The jury was not ready,
and 1t was noon before the
pREsESTMENT WAS READ.
The court room was packed. The main
floor was occupied by white people, and the
little gallery was crowded with negroes. In
terest was most intense. Tor not woro OF Ihe
papers contents had been divulged. the
foreman, Mr.. r. A. Sullivan, handed up Inc
paper, which was read.
When the reading was completed, 1t was
time for dinner recess. On recon vening
Judge Benet addressed the grand jury
JUDGE BENET SAID.
"Mr. Foreman and Gentlemen OF the Jury
Your presentment affords me profound salts
faction. You have done your duty, not only
ably and tear iessly, but fairly. am struck
with the statement that you have reiraiued
from reading the newspapers, some of which
have published sensational stories. and that
you have reiraned from seeing or hearing
any comments that would prejudice you in
your Investigation. 1t will surprise you
therefore, 10 know how much excitement
there has been all over the state and the
country.
SENSATIONAL NEWSPAPERS
at the north have forgotten that the investi
CATION was ordered and was being conducted
They conveyed the idea that the newspapers
had discovered the scandal through their OWL
efforts.
"Your work and the work OF the court II
not referred 10 in these articles. IT, does say
that "happily some local efforts are betnt
made" but the reader would infer that thes'
efforts are due &c the newspapers. Little i
found In these accounts beyond what wa WA
little is false. These newspapers woul'
rather be sensational than just.
"In ordering this investis sation this cour
was only doing its plain duly. quietly. unos
tentatiously, but earnestly. 1t IL peculiarl!
the work of this court but the court will az
its duty, and does not propose to be interfer
ed with by political busy bodies in or out o
congress. When the charge was made tire
weeks ago the court had no idea of doin
more than showing you grand jurors you
duty, and 1t had no doubt you would perform
the charge OF the court would be heard be
yond the four walls Of this court room.
STATE PRESS COMMENDED.
Through the journalistic enterprise q
your local paper, The Daily Mail, actuatet
by the purest and most pralseWorthy mC
tives the charge was published. 1t was don
not after the manner OF what IL called, Il
newspaper slang, yellow journalism bu
simply that the good people OF Anderso
county might see that the lniquitous system
would be thoroughly looked into and put a
end to; for the encouragement OF the law
abiding and a terror to evil doers; that
might be seen and known OF all people {
this county. white and black, that the stron
arm OF the law would be stretched out
protect the humblest negro against oppre
sion and wrong.
"Other newspapers throughout the Stat
acted In the same way, not as sensatioi
mongers. but as good citizens aud champion
of righteous cause. There were no hamip
headlines. no startling scareheads. But 10
publication was accompanied with strou
words Of condem nation OF the inhuman urea
ment of the negro, and with equally stron
words of commendation Of the charge OF u
1T was to be expected that newspapers I
other States would take notice OF matter I
40 much public interest-nor had we an
desire TO hide this ugly thing from the eye
Of our sister States. Newspapers were on
doing their duty in giving 1T the utmo
publicity and in condernning 1t In scathin
terms.
"It gives me pleasure to say that, with fe
executions, the great journals In all parts
the country did their duty in this regarc
but some newspapers, ana nolaoiy one, wei
criticism. | refer especially to The Mort
American, a Philadelphia newspaper.
.'It seems that that paper sent staff repor
er tn this county, and while we nave q
desire to discourage the sending OF speci
correspondents from Philadelphia to Ande
son county for the purpose OF finding out III