The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-03-02
A COURT SCENE.
How Judge, Who Was No Respec,
tor of Persons
DISPATCHED COURT BUSINESS.
He Was Not Seeking Compli-
ments from the Bar, But
Was Bent on Doing
His Duty.

W as BCHC on ~ Il II
His Duty.
a few days ago we made some re-
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 hand OF our
judges, without increase of number.
We did not say that even a majority
of our present judges, however excel
lent men they may be, can apply the
remedy. We doubt that we could
ourself. If we had the necessary
legal qualifications; we hardly think
we could. But men should be elected
Judges who can answer the require
mentS
Ii they could not be found in the
state. then it might be necessary to
supplement quality with number.
In the article referred to we ex-
pressed a purpose to refer in a subse-
quent 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 case which
had been continued time or two, and
Major Jones was his attorney. The
latter wrote urgent letter and sent
him messages by neighbors to come to
town at once. as he must see him Oh
important business. The client
promptly obeyed the summons and
hurried to his lawyers office. Mai.
Jones laid down his pen, turned on
his chair and scarcely waited for an
exchange Of greetings, said, John, old
fellow, you'll have to get up your wit
nesseS in that case and have them all
here promptly at the opening Of court.
Doe: What do you mean?
Jones: | mean that we've got to
go to trial with that cuSe at this term
of court and if we don't take every
advantage possible you'll be breaking
rock down yonder at Raleigh before a
month.
Doe: Why. you told me need not
bother about it: that YOU d have 1t
put Oil again and let it rock along till
all the witnesses on the other side were
dead or in texas.
Jones: Yes. I know, but when
| told YOU that | thought that
Judge Blank was to preside, but
old Clark is to 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 tnan the penitentiary. Clark is
impartial and all right but he's not
the sort of a Judge we need in our
business just now.
Doe had seen all his witnesses be-
fore he got home and they all answer
ed when called in court.
At the opening Of court the jurors
were called and one having failed to
answer. the crier was directed to cal!
him. He started for the door but
was promptly stopped by the Judge.
who said firmly Stand within the
bar and call in a tone distinct enough
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 injustic 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 dispatch 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-toed out OF
the room, evidently for the purpose,
as appeared later, Of warning friends
who were witnesses or were otherwise
connected with the court, and soon a
dozen or more men entered, with the
tread of u 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" a n d
johnson was out in the aisle and rush
ing toward the bar by the time the
last syllable of his name was pronounc-
ed. Before he got there, however,
another witness had answered and
was chasing him down the aisle, and
a third was on the move. Witnesses.
jurors. lawyers and all who had duties
to perform semed to vie with one
another in expediting the business in
hand.
Even the defendants appeared as
if they had caught the spirit and
were content TO compromise on get
ting even justic, some OF them sub
mitting" and throwing themselves
upon the mercy Of the court. 1t was
cheering to see how business went
through. and all parties seemed un-
usually well satisfied with results.
We add an incident or t~o. Jonas
Holman. the wealtllicst man in the
town and father Of one of the leading
lawyers. was a Juror or a witness, we
have forgotten which. He kept a
hotel. and having many guests at
that time. he tarried a little too long
after the recess for dinner one day.
When he failed to answer his name. a
fire Of SO was promptly imposed, and
the Judge refused to modify The SEN