Lancaster enterprise. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1891-1905, 1901-03-09
DUTY WELL DONE Is THE
REWARD.

Anderson Grand Jury. COmpli-
mentcd by Judge Benet for
their Faithful Presentation of
the Labor contract Abuse i'm
that County.
Anderson, March Z. - This
is not to be a sensational story
after the manner of the Phila-
delphia North American. 1t will
give only the bare facts about
the labor contract abuses, the
stockade slavery system which
had aroused the interest and the
indignation of county, a State
and even a nation.
Those facts are all contained
in the strong presentment of the
admirable grand jury. That
paper is 80 thorough, its state
ments are so definite and it's
wording SO clear that are con-
cerned nothing more can be said.
The presentment tells the
whole story, and no hasty in
vestigations of an outsider can
add anything valuable or Ee-
liable. 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 G Benet to
receive the report of the grand
jury began at 10 O'Clock. The
The jury was not ready, and it
was noon before the present.
ment was read.
The court room was packed
The main floor was occupied by
white people, and the little gal
lery was crowded with negroes.
Interest was most intense, for
not word of the papers contents
had been divulged. The fore.
man, Mr.. r. A. Sullivan, handed
up the paper, which was read.
When the reading was com.
pleted, it was time for dinner
recess. On reconvening, Judge
Benet addressed the grand jury {:
JUDGE BENET SAID.
"Mr Foreman and Gentlemen
of the Jury: Your presentment
affords me profound satisfaction.
You have done your duty, not
only ably and fearlessly, but
fairly. l am struck with the
statement that you have refrain
ed from reading the newspapers,
some of which have published
sensational stories. and that you
have refrained from seeing or
hearing any comments that
would prejudice you in your in
vestigation. 1t will surprise you,
therefore, to know how much ex
element there has been all over
the State and the country.
SENSATIONAL NEWSPAPERS.
at the north have forgotten that
that the investigation was order
ed and was being conducted.
They conveyed the idea that the
newspapers had discovered tho
scandal through their own efforts.
"Your work and the work of
the court is not referred to in
these articles. 1t does say that
fhappily some local efforts are
being made" but the reader
would infer that these efforts
are due to the newspapers.
Little is found in these accounts
beyond what was taken from
the records Of the court, and
that little is false. These news
papers would rather be sensa-
tional than just.
"In ordering this investiga-
ton this court was only doing
it's plain duty, quietly, unos-
tentatiously, but earnestly. 1t
is peculiarly the work of this
court, but the court will do its
duty, and does not propose to
be interfered with by political
busybodies in or out of congress.
When the charge was made
three weeks ago the court had
no idea of doing more than
showing you grand jurors your
duty, and it had no doubt you
would perform it. 1t had no
thought nor expectation that
the charge Of the court would be
heard beyond the four walls of
this court room.
SITbroupb tbo ;ou.,ol;st;o m