The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-08-02
GENERAL SESSIONS COURT.
Regular Term Convened Yesterday
Special Judge James Y.
Culbreath Presiding.

The regular term OF the court Of
general session for Newberry county
convened yesterday morning. Special
Judge James y. Culbreath. Of the
Newberry bar. presiding, in the ab-
sence Of the regular Judge. who is in
bad health.
Solicitor Thomas S. Sease and
Stenographer L. L. Note were on
hand at the opening of the court and
ready for the business of the session.
Judge Culbreath's commission as
special Judge was read and the
court Immediately proceeded with
the business before it.
Referee Fred. H. Dominick sub
mitted 20 the court his report on the
chain gang investigation, instituted
at the suggestion OF the grand jury
contained in their final presentment
! at the last term Of the court. The
testimony contains forty-six typewrit-
kten pages. The report OF Refree
FDom:nick accompanying it has al
ready been published This report
was read to the grand jury and was
submitted to them, accompanied by
the testimony. 1t was ordered that
the grand jury. with the testimony
before them, investigate the matter,
examining such other witnesses as
they saw fit, and if they came to the
conclusion that indictments should
be made, that they recommend same
to the solicitor.
Solicitor SeaSe handed out a Nun
Der OF indictments. including two for
murder, several for housebreaking
and larceny, Burglary and larceny,
violation OF the dispensary law. and
one for assault with intent to ravish.
Judge Culbreath took up each of
the indictments separately and chare-
ed the jury as to the course to be
pursued in the consideration OF each
of the charges. His charge was both
as tc their general and specific duties
and was clear ard forcible Mr.. Cul-
breath presides with ease and dignity
and eNpedites the business of the
court. His clear legal mind, his in
cisive reasoning and his calm judg-
lnent eIninently qualify him TO wear
the judicial ernline.
Judge Culbreath charged the jury
as to their general duties as follows:
"Gentlencn OF the grand jury. YOU
were charged upon your general du-
ties at the last term OF court, and
consequently ny charge will be short
Gentlemen OF ,le Jury. yor are the
grand ;nquisitors OF th~ internal at
fairs OF our government. You have
more jurisdiction III that matter than
! the presiding Judge. the solicitor, or
the governor OF the state. You are
Ahe grand inquest OF the county. You
re the great motive power that puts
motion any part OF the machinery
k>~tha county government that has
Stopped. ard furnishes the axle
greas> that causes all the county ma
chiner: 70 move smoothly. And the
county ci NeWberry is to be congrat-
ulated 1hst 1ilere has not been de-
falcation in the public Offices OF the
county in tw enty-iive years, and what
I have said to YOU on this point is
in no way Antended 70 reflect upon
any of our county officers. Now it
remains for ME to charge you upon
! the particular bills OF indictment that
vii be handed ovt by the solicitor,
and your office, gentlemen OF the
grand jury. is - office Of accusation,
nGgins been well termed by the an
law writers. You accuse upon
'e cause, eN parte testimony,
petit jury tries upon the n1er-
he case. 1t is nor your duty
the case. You receive the
u testimony. and if the crime
committed and the prison.
bar IS connected with it so