The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-03-26
Court

Inc spring term OI SSuSEdI SSSSIouo
opened here last Monday morning and
was presided over by His Honor Judge
C. G. Dantzler.
The new Judge made an excellent
impression from the start, and although
new upon the bench he shows the abil-
ity of profound lawyer, by the ease
in which he has taken hold Of his new
duties.
Charles Glover DantzIer was born
March 9th. 1854. near ST.. Matthews,
Crangeburg county, attended Mt. Zion
Institute, Winnsboro, Kings, Mountain
Military school at Yorville, graduated
at Woford college in 1875 and in his
class was DR.. Z. W. Nettles of Fores-
ton. December y, 1876 he married
Miss Laura A. Moss, and served
prominently in the legislature from
1856 to 1890. He is so highly regarded
by the members of his local Bar that
they became a working committee to
present his qualifications before the
General Assembly of 1902, and he was
unanimously elected Judge OF the First
Circuit.
After the formal proceedings in the
opening of court Judge Dantzler IN a
clear and pleasing manner delivered in
part the following charge to the grand
jury:
There is no inter-regnum with
grand juries: they are on duty at all
times, during the sessions OF courts and
while courts are not in session. The
| obligation rests upon, and remains
with, each grand juror in his commu-
nifty to be vigilant for the public good.
Whatever appertains to the public well
fare should concern grand juror.
"Your jurisdiction, so to speak, is
co-extensive with the limits of your
county. You have the oversight and
supervision OF the public institutions,
the public buildings and the public
highways of your county. And, at the
outset, permit me to call your attention
to the condition of your court house.
You represent patriotic and enter
prising people, and it seems that there
! should be an improvement made in your
court house: that you should have a
| building which would reflect the public
spirit and patriotism of your fellow cit
izens.
sin the next place, unless the public
highways of your county are in better
condition than in many counties, you
should see to it that your public high
ways are improved. In some sections
| the highways are not more than one
half the width required by law: and,
often, telephone poles are almost near
enough to be touched with the hand OF
a person in vehicle travelling in the
centre of highway. 1t seems that
public convenience and public safety
are subordinated to the making of few
bushels OF corn and a few pounds of cot
ton. Behind the disregard of law, in
this particular, is that materialistic
spirit OF the age which has projected
itself into social life and, in many in
stances, set up the money standard or
the standard of responsibility instead OF
character, in abrogation of human
rights and contrary to divine law. 1t is
your duty to notify your County Board
;of Commissioners of any dereliction OF
duty, if any, relating to your public
highways and require the members OF
such board to discharge their duties.
You should examine into the manner in
which the county Offices OF your county
are kept.
Your special duties appertain to the
conduct Of ,Sour deliberations while
court is in session. Your deliberations,
gentlemen, should be secret. Each
grand juror should have the assurance
that what is said in the jury room will
not be repeated on the outside, for it is
only by free and unreserved discus
sion OF matters among yourselves that
the public interest can be best sub
! served and advanced. You should be
impartial in the consideration of the
bills of indictment. Every citizen
should receive the same consideration
at your hands.
You are part and parcel of the ma,
chinery of the law. No person can be
tried in this court unless twelve OF your
number say that trial ought to be had.
The grand jury system rests upon the
necessity of preventing vindictive pros