Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1904-03-30
N covar mar vas susY.
Some Examples Of How Much Valuable Time
Could be Saved In tho Court Room.

marks IN this column descriptive of
the dilatory practices of our courts,
explaining the cause of the crowded
dockets and the apparent need of
more circuits, and contending that
the remedy is in the hands of our
Judges, without increase of number.
We did not say that even majority
OF our present judges, however ex-
cellent men they may be, can apply
the remedy. We doubt that we
could ourself, if we han the necessary
legal qualifications we hardly think
we could. But men should be elected
judges who can answer the require
ments. If they could not be found
in the State, then it might be neoes-
sary to supplement quality with
number.
In the article referred to we ex.
pressed a purpose to refer in sub
sequent issue to examples we had
seen of the dispatch of business
which were complete proof of our
contention. Here is one:
Court was coming on, and John
Doe was defendant in q case which
had been continued time or two,
and Major Jones was his attorney.
The latter wrote Doe an urgent; let
ter and sent him messages by neigh
bors to come to town at once, as he
must see him on important business.
The client promptly obeyed the
summons and hurried to his lawyers
office. Major Jones laid down his
pen, turned on his chair and scarcely
waiting for an exchange of greetings,
said, John, old fellow, you'll have to
get up your witnesses in that case
and have them all here promptly
at the opening of court.
Doe: What do you meanr
Jones: mean that we've got to
go to trial with that case at this
term of court and if we don't take
every advantage possible you'll be
breaking rock down yonder at Ra-
leigh before month.
Doe: Why, You told me
needn't bother about it; that you'd
have it put off again and let it rock
along till all the witnesses on the
other side were dead or in Texas.
Jones: Yes, l know, but when
told you that l thought Judge Blank
was to preside, but old Clark is to
b be the judge, and that case is going
to be tried as sure as the sun rises
on the first Monday in October.
know it will put you to some trouble
to get ready, but better that than the
fpenitentiary. Clark is impartial and
all right, but he's not the sort of a
Judge we need in our business lust
now.
Doe bad seen all his witnesses be-
fore he got home and they all ans
wered when called in court.
At the opening of court the jurors
were called, and one having failed to
answer, the crier was directed to call
him. He started for the door, but
was promptly stopped by the judge,
who said firmly, "Stand within the
bar and call in tone distinct enouG h
to be heard over the room. There
will be no calling from the door or
windows. These seats are for the
accommodation of persons who have
business with the court, and must be
reserved for them as far as necessary.
They must be here when called.
They are here to attend to public
business and not to trade or lounge
around town. Every moment of
our time is paid for and it is an in
justice to the county that one man
be allowed to detain the whole court
while waiting for him to be called in
from the streets. Mr.. Sheriff, YOU
will see that there is no noise or
confusion TO interfere with the dis
patch of business.
The juror was called again as had
been directed, and having failed to
answer, the clerk was ordered to
enter "Judgment nisi'' with fine of
$40.
Several spectators tip-tosd out of
the room, evidently for the purpose,
as appeared later, of warning friends
who were witnesses or were other
wise connected with the court, and
soon dozen or more men entered,
with the tread of cat, and took
seats.
The electrical effect of the judges
little speech was seen in the calling
of witnesses. 1t proceeded thus:
"John Johns" "Here 20 And
Johnson was out in the aisle and
rushing toward the bar by the time
the last syllable of his name was
pronounced. Before he got there,
however, another witness had ans
wered and was chasing him down
the aisle, and third was on the
move. Witnesses, jurors, lawyers
and all who had duties to perform
seemed to vie with one another in
expediting the business in hand.
Even the defendants appeared as if
they had caught the spirit and were