The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-09-09
VAGRANCY.
Severe Sentences by Court In GeOr'
gia.
Augusta Herald.


Hon. Glenn F.. Dunbar was present ut the
CITY court this morning TO witness the first
practical court test ol the new Calvin vagran-
cy law. though none OF the other local rep
ed the short session of the city court.
The fact that the defendants, To the num-
ber of 3D. charged with vagrancy would face
Judge Eve this morning was evidently weil
ence. There were perhaps fifty witnesses and
fully twice that number Ofspectators present
out OF idle curiosity.
Ofthe 33 alleged Vagrants. five or them were
white and OF the total number ii were un'
able to employ counsel and the court ar
pointed as many members of the bar to rep
resent them.
STOLE YESTERDAY: CONVICTED TODAY.
In the case Of Mitchell the court work was
unusually rapid. Yesterday he was arrested
ON the charge of stealing Sl.0O worth OF bags
from Mr.. PhinZy's barn and on plea OF
guilty this morning was sentenced to work
ten months on the county gang.
THE FIRST vAGRANCY CASE.
But one of the SO vagrancy cases was dis.
posed OF, and in that there was aosolutely
nothing worthy OF comment.
The accusation was read TO James Morgan
q white boy between ~ and 81 years OF age,
slightly crippled In one leg and ne entered
plea OF guilty. .
In cases OF this kind the law is so construct
ed that the accused, after con victlon, can
give q bona OIL S0UU abbuTluk BOOu
and industry for the period OF u months. II
this 1s done the court will release MIN on
approval of the bond and he is allowed TO
20 his way and work. SO long as he WORKS
ed, but should be drift into idleness again,
the bond IL collected, the prisoner Is taken
up and made to work out the former SEN
tence.
Morgan, Judge Eve first asked him II be
could give a bond Of $500 for his character
and the prisoner replied that he could not,
when sentence Of % months on the county
gang was imposed as follows:
"Fhe defendant. James Morgan, having
plead guilty to the within charge OF vagrancy
at the present term OF the city court, and
having failed on demand TO give bond ior
his future industry and good conduct Tor one
year, as required by law, 1t is ordered that he
do work upon the public works OF said coun.
ty, or at such other place as the proper
authorities may direct, for the term OF Twelve
moaths nom this date. WIN. F. EVE,
Judge City Court. Richmond County, Geor'
gia." This September 3. 1903.
Following the sentence, Judge Eve directed
on account OF the boy being cripple, thal
he should be assigned to work with the gang
at the county home.
THE vAGRANcY INDICTMENT.
The Indictments in vagrancy cases, or al
least those to be tried just now, differ con-
siderably from the ordinery city court In
dlctrnent, in that they each contain three
-.
view Of the fact that the vagrancy craze Il
spreading all over the state. 1t is as follows
The form of indictment under whlcn the
vagrancy cases will be tried and the one to
which James Morgan pleaded guilty Is a.
M. M. D'Antignac, in the name and behalf
OF the citizens OF Georgia, charges ana accus.
es (James MorgsnQ OF the state ana &c county my
aforesaid, basing said accusation on the lore'
going affidavit, with the ofense, OF vagrancy,
for Tn at the said defendant In the county on
the 18th day OF August, 1893. with force ana
arms did have no visible means OF falr,
honest and reputable livelihood. being able
to work and having no property 10 support
him. contrary 10 the laws of the state good
order, peace and dignity thereof.
Nv. NJ. D'Antignac. In the name ana oe'
half OF the citizens OF Georgia, further charg
es and accuses the said Jemes Morgan, OF the
county and state aforesaid. basing MS sald
accusation on the foregoing afndaVlt. WIN
the offense of vagrancy, for that the SAID de.
fendsnt in the county aforesaid on the 18th
day Of August, 1908. with force and arms ala
wander sbout in idleness, being able 10
work and having no property to support
him, contrary to the laws OF the state good
order, peace and dignity Thereof.
And w. NJ. DAntignae. In the name and
behalf of the citizens OF Georgia, furthei
charges and accuses James Morgan, OF tns
accusation on the foregoing afhdaVlt win
the offense of vagrancy, for that the said De
fendant in the county aforesaid on the lSth
day OF August, 1908, with force and arms it alu
lead an iole, immoral aud profigate life.
having no property 10 support him, oelng
able TO work and not working, contrary u
the laws Of the state, the good order, peace
and dignity thereof"
TRIALS ON TUESDAY.
With the exception of Morgan, all the other
defendants in the vagrancy cases demanded
trial by Jury, and they will be started ON
Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock.