Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1921-07-14
JUDGE EDWARD McIVER'S
CHARGE TO GRAND JURY
Enforcement of Laws VIII End Crime
Wave, Says Judge.

Wave, Says Judge.
The following news item taken from
Pee Dee Advocate of July eth will be
read with interest by Judge Mclver
friends in this vicinity, which includes
all of our readers:
Bennettsville, July THE duties OF
the members Of the Grand Jury to the
people of the county, the responsible
ties of their position and the splendid
opportunity awaiting them to aid in
keeping the county in the forefront as
a law abiding community, were ably
presented to the Marlboro county
grand jury at the opening of court
OF general. sessions Tuesday morn
ing by. Judge Edward w. McIver, OF
the Fourth Judicial Circuit, presid-
ing at the summer term of court. En-
force'ment of the school laws Of the
state so as to give every boy and girl
a chance for at least common school
education was also urged by the jur-
ist
Judge McIver stated. that it was
not necessary for him to outline TO
the members of the grand jury their
duties, for these had been presented
to them before and each was familiar
with the duties and responsibilities at
tarhe, TO the position He stated that
the custom of charging the grand Jury
at each term of court dates from the
time when a new grand jury was en-
panelled at each term Of court and the
charge was, therefore, to acquaint the
members with their duties.
The grand jury is one of the oldest
systems of government we have, said
the Judge. 1t stands between the peo-
pie on the one hand and the office
holders on the other. 1t is a repre-
sentative body Of the county. He stat
ed that the jurors represent for 1921
the county against those who attempt
to violate the laws of the state. While
coArt Is not in session it is the duty
Of the grand jury to see that the law
Is enforced in the various sections OF
the county. The members of the jury
must see that the office holders are
doing their duty, that the laws are be-
ing carried out, that the county is get
ting the most eff'. cnt serr'oe posi-
BILE, Judge McIver said:
"You represent the taxpayers" the
jurist stated. "You owe a duty to
them and, to the people at large. You
are required to report the failure OF
the officers to perform their duties.
The county will not have the best
government unless you do your duty. "
In pleading for enforcement Of
school laws the Cheraw judge said,
you realize that the county and
state have gone into the education OF
the boys and girls. They do this not
so much as charity, but for the pur-
pose Of securing better citizenship,
for the education and enlightenment
of its future citizens. So the state has
seen II best to secure as good citizen
ship as possible by educating all the
children in order that every boy and
girl may go out in life equipped with
at least a public school education. 1t
has appropriated great deal of mon
ey for the schools. Your duty is to
see that this is properly spent"
The best possible care of the poor,
Of the chaingang convicts, of others
who need the care of the county, was
urged by Judge McIyer. Punishment
is never destined to make somebody
sutfer, but to uplift and make better
men and women of the prisoners, said
the judge. Chaingangs should be con-
Quoted humanely and justly, he sta
ted.
Congratulating the county on the
progress of her schools, Judge McIver
took occasion TO urge upon the grand
jury the importance Of its duty of
visiting at least once year every pub
lie school in the county.
To see that law and order prevails
throughout the county during the year
is a paramount duty of the jurors,
said Judge McIyer. During the last
year there has been throughout the
state more OF crime than before. We
were told to look for wave of crime