Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1916-03-08
SESSIONS COURT.
Spring Term Convened Monday
Judge Ernest Moore Pre-
siding. Able Charge.
Joe Grant Case.

morning with Hon. Ernest Moore of
Lancaster presiding. This being
the first term of the year, Judge
Moore charged the grand jury in
detail as to their obligations and du-
ties. In stressing the importance of
the Office of grand juror, Judge
Moore said:
mo man or body Of men in any
county of the state has been en-
trusted with duties for the general
public welfare more important than
those which devolve upon you as
the grand jurors Of Edgefield coun-
ty. Recognizing the Importance of
the Office, the laws of this state as
to the selection of members of your
panel have been framed with the
view and purpose of insuring the
choice of the most fit, competent
and representative men of the coun-
ty to serve as grand jurors. Being
so chosen and recalling the oath Of
Office which you have taken, the
public may we'll rest assured in the
belief and confidence that you will
discharge the important duties OF
your office to the best of your abil-
ity and without fear or foe of favor
towards friends"
; In urging faithful performance
of duty, Judge Moore said:
Upon the faithful performance
of their duties by the grand and
petit jurors of this court depends in
large measure the effective educa'
tion of the general public in a
proper respect for law and order,
and by the due fulfllment of their
duties by each and every officer of
,this court, the advancement of the
people in due and proper observ-
ance of legal rights will be greatly
-sromotsfl 1T is, therefore, OF the
utmost consequence to the public in
terest that you, as we'll as all the
other officers of this court, shall
zealously strive to discharge the full
measure of your sworn duties, re-
calling the solemn obligation rest
ing upon each one of you to meas
ure equal and exact justice to all
men, irrespective of any other con-
sideration by which it may be
sought TO influence your determine
tion."
Judge Moore charged that it is
the duty of the grand jury to look
into the record of every county Off
cial and see that all rablic funds
are wisely expended. They are to
look after all public institutions
and see that they are properly con-
Quoted. In urging grand jurors to
be on the alert for violators OF the
law, Judge Moore referred especial
ly to the prohibiron law and the
law against the carrying of deadly
weapons. He also urged the en-
forcement of compulsory education
in the school districts that voted for
compulsory school attendance. He
said the deplorable illiteracy that
now prevails is fruitful source of
crime.
Judge Moore pointed out that it
is the duty of the grand juror to see
that the school laws are complied
with, that trustees do their duty
and that competent teachers are
employed to teach.
Atthe conclusion Of Judge Moore's
charge the solicitor handed out
number indictments, and the grand
Jury made a prompt return OF the
following cases:
John Price, murder. true bill.
Mack Minis, assault. and battery
with intent to kill, true bill.
Calvin Mays, larceny of live stock,
true bill.
Rich Bussey, disposing of prop
erty under lien, true bill.
Tom Bussey, disposing of prop
erty under lien, true bill.
Will Griffin, disposing of prop
erty under lien, true bill.
Early Burlington, house breaking
and larceny, no bill.
Will Griffin, disposing of prop
erty under lien, true bill.
Mack Terry, house breaking and
larceny, no bill.
The first case tried was that of
John Price, indicted for murder.
A verdict of acquittal was rendered.
The defendant was represented by
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