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WINNSBORO, S. C. Tuesday, October 30,:: : 1877. R. MEANS DAVIS, Editor, JNO. S. REYNOLDS, Associste Editor. HOW WOUtD it do to introduce the Moffett bell punoh in South Caro lina 7 It seems to be working admirably in Virginia, and we down here surely need money as badly as our friends in the Old Dominion. SOME WAsHINOToN correspondent has started a report that "friends of General M, C. Butler declaro that some of the leading State offlials of South Carolina do not want him admitted to the Senate, and are shaping their course so as to throw obstacles in his way." This we believe to be one of the many sehaational stories, with not the slightest foundation in fact, gotten up by newspaper men. Gen. oral Butler was fairly elected to the Senate, and the people of the State, "leading officials" and all, want him soated. Judge Kershaw. It has been so fashionable of recent years to complimont the judiciaryj in the newspapers-a fashion, we believe, born of Recon mtuction -that we hesitate, for obvious reasons, to express a judgment on the judicial inerits of Judge Kershaw. Of course, when he came here to hold court, much was expected of him. A reputation, both as citizen and jurist, had accompanied him to his first sitting, and that reputation had followed him *on his round of the sixth circuit. Patient, refined, dignified-just a little soldierly, perhaps-impartial, systematic, laborious, he seems to combine in a remarkablo degroo the qualities that were sought for in the judiciary in the time when the ermine was bestowed as a reward, not for political fealty, but for charactor and learning.-The recent term of court here was a long and hard one. No civil busi noss had been dono for two years, and the dockets wore crowded. By good work during a long term Judge Kershaw disposed of all cases except those in which the parties desired a continuance or were not ready for trial. In leaving us, the Judge bears with him the kmndest wishes of the bar and of our comnmun ity generally, coupled with that appreciation of his worth as a man that the people of Fair field have always felt. County Courts. We publish in this issno a most excellent article on the trial justice system of this State. That there have been any number of absurdi ties, not to say outrages, committed under the guise of a justice's au thority, no one will deny. Of course, under the new administra tion there has been a great imnprove .ment in the persenmlfl of these officials, but the evils necessarily incident to the system itself remain to a very large extent. Some of these are set forth in the letter of our correspondent, and we have no doubt that all he says is based upon the very best evidence. Instances of indiscretion, ignorance or parti eanship have come under the per sonal observation of the writer of this article. Admitting that the system, with its incidents, is a bad one, it must be determined whether it is beat to abolish it altogether or * so to amend it as to remove the * obnoxious features it now has. We incline strongly to the abolition of the system. One great difficulty - about trial justices is that the law is to be construed and administered by men who, in most instances, know nothing of it. To remedy this evil, there must he an entire change in the charactor--..we mean intellectual and educational charac ter-of those who shall be appoint ed trial justices. A man who has never studied law cannot be ex.. pected to know much about it ; and few lawyers can afford to accept a trial justico's office. This being the difficulty is to abolish tho office of trial justice, and introduco justices of the peace, -with powers similar to thoso exercised by the ante-bellum magistrates. The funds necessary for the pay of the present trial justices in each county would be sufficient for the maintenanco of the county court. The jurisdiction of the latter court could be such as to bring before it nearly all the criminal business now engaging the time of the circuit courts. All crimes, except murder, rape, perjury, forgery, arson and aggravated burglary, could be tried in the inforior court. The civil jurisdic tion could cover cases involving from $20 to $250-which would relieve the dockets of the circuit court of a largo quantity of litiga tion that should not go there. The coats of attorneys in the county court could be much smaller tin at present in the circuit court, thus removing a coiituit cause of com.. plaint on the pf rt of litigants whose claims are not very large. Another great advantage of the county court system would be in the sj)cedy con viction and punishment of crimi nals. The jails would not bo-as the one in Winnsboro has often been-a place of fun and frolic for persons awaiting trial or under going sentence. The county court system is not altogether a now thing in South Carolina. The district courts established in 1866 were in many particulars just such tribunals as we now wish to see introduced. The system then worked admirably, and, with the improvements that experienceo will have suggested, it must do well again. Certain it is that the trial justice system has been a great source of complaint, and it is the judgment of many that the evils attending it are to a great extent inseparable from tho system itself. Such being the case, it would be best to try some other. That other we believe to be a well digested, p ractical and economical system of county courts. There are some suggestions in the letter of our correspondent which do not strike us favorably. The county solicitor, for instance, should not be appointed by the county commissioners, or the circuit solicitor, but by the justices of the supreme court, the governor or the county judge. The judge and solicitor should hold office for a term not less than four years. Too frequent changes in offices of this character are not advisable. We cannot go further into details at this time, but may have some thing more to say on another occasion. Meantime, the subject is well worthy of thought on the part of the taxpayers and their represen.. tatives. T11IL JUSTiICES AND CO UN TIY COUR~TS. Why a Change Should be Made--The Burdens of Petty Litigation--A Dir ference Beotween "Shanl" and "May" in Construing the Fee Bill--Ignorance a Poor Excuse. .LeICsr3. Editor8 I see by your paper that a corre spondent in the Abbeville Medium olpposes a change from a trial jus tice system to a county court, upon the score of economy. It seems to me that he has not closely watched the workings of tihe present system, nor has he correctly added up the column of its expenses. Now, some of us here thinkc that to restore the old order of magis.. tratos, with the jurisdiction formerly attached to their sittings, and to establish a county court with four or six terms a year, will greatly add to the economical management of the county in several respects. In the aggregate it will save time, it will save money, and, in a great measure, will stop any number of the petty vexatious neighborhlood litigations that are worrying local communities. It is an incontroverti ble fact that many persons of the class who most generally resort to a trial justice's office, go there simply because a trial justice is near at hand for them to submit their cases to, and they would never have a case if they were compelled to go to Winnaboro to hav it attnde to i the court house. What potty grievancos they might laavo would be settled by neighborhood compro, nisos ; and thus a large sum would be saved annually to the taxpayers. Lot that correspondent examine the books of trial justicos, and ho may be surprised to see the amount the county has to pay directly every year for this justice rondorod. Then lot him add also the large amount that has to be paid by individuals, and he will conceive the burdens entailed by the present system. A trial justice with a sharp eye to his own intorost can indirectly have many a case brought before him, that would never have boon hoard of otherwise. Then oh ! if that cor respondent could only attend all the trial justicos' courts, and hear many of the casos there tried, the con structions put upon the statutos, the straw bonds accepted, the time allowed to the party convicted to hunt up funds to pay costs or go to jail, tho sentencos passod, the minu tie of the workings in a court that has a jurisdiction to send a man to jail for thirty days, and decido a civil suit involving the pay ment of a hundrod dollars ; a court in which the foo bill for a trial justice is construed to read "you shall chargo so much," whereas, in reality, it should be con strued to read "you shallnot chargo more, but less if you wish." Whero the law allows twonty-five cents for administering an oath, and two dollars for writing down tosti imony, the justice nabs ono dollar and Jifty cents costs for each jury, twenty.-fivo cents for the oath of each witness, and two dollars for taking down the testimony of each witness in such a manner that a Philadelphia lawyer could not under, stand it. The excuso is given that the law makes the charges compui., sory, not optional. Then, as the costs will be greater if many oaths are adininistored, and still more if the testimony is taken down, why the more witnesses the better,for the justice. Where preliminary emi nations, only, should bo had, the case is tried, and not sent up to the higher court, because more money comes in this way. Cases involving real estato are often tried. Now, this is done frequently through igior aice, and not from intentional wrong. But, if ignorancu is pleaded, does it not mako out aLstrongwer case against the present system ? Again, we have heard of a man's being sont to jail by a trial justice, for debt Now, establish a county court, with four or six terms a year. Have no fees, but salarios. Let the judge get a salary of from $500 to $1,000 )er annum, a solicitor with a salary of from $200 to 8000 a year, the judge to be elected by tihe Logisla ture, the solicitor to be appointed by the board of county commission ers or tile solicitor of the circuit. The term of service not to be less than one year, nor longer thman two years. The jmlisdlictionl ini civil eases to be increased to $200, and in criminal cases to fines of not over three hunldredi dollars, nor over six months' imprisonment. Let it have exclusive jurisdiction in all petit larceny cases, of all assaults and batteries where there is uno intent to kill, and inl other speLcified cases. As the duties of this court wvill not interfere with the p)ractico in the higher courts, except as to appeals from tihe county court, ab)le and compecten t young lawyers can be found at the bar of each county, who will discharge tihe duties enfi ciently, fairly andl willingly for those salaries, and schools will be estab lished to furnish nmaterial from which to select justices, circuit judges and solicitors. The law will be better understood and ad ministored, justice will be more equally dispensed, and as there wvill1 be no fees, litigation wviil not be en couraged, expenses will thereby be curtailed, and county taxes wvill be decreased. ANOTHER TAx PAYER. Tihe impression is becoming op. prossivo th)at tihe Senate will not seat either Spofford or Eustis. Some Republicans, not wishling to have Kellogg and Pinchback thrust down their thlroats, favor allowving Louisiana to hlave her sober secondl thought. It is not beyond possi . bility that the question will be postp)oned until the people elect a new Legislature. It is assorted, however, with some positivoness that the majority report of the committee wvill follow what MIorton had outlined, which, if adopted, seats Kellogg. The temptation to make the worse appear the better reason is great, as ascendoney in the Senate for at least three years depends thereon. A Methodist minister, being re cently asked if lie had moved to his new appointment, said, "Yes, but it is a disappointment." A MARRYING GOVERNoR.-ClaibOrn F. Jackson, a native of Kentucky, was once governor of Missouri. The most reinarkablo fact connectod with his life is perhaps that ho married five sistors in one of tho most respectable, weidthy and dis tinguished families of Missouri. As soon as ono wifo would die ho would marry her sister in roasona blo time. In connection with the marraigos thoro is a standing joko told at tho oxponiso of the Govern or, naroly, that when he went to ask his father-in-law's consont to marry the last daughter, the venerablo man replied : "Yes, Claib, you can have her. You have got them all. For goodness' sake, don't ask me for the old woman." A GENERAL WANING.-Glon. B. F. Butler was asked the other day howl he liked being in Congress this session, and ho answered. "It feel very comfortable to sit in the House without any responsibility and have your bat full of brick bats." General Miles, who captured Chief Joseph, began lifo as a clerk ii a crockery-waro store and was only twenty years of age when tho war broke out. 11 l'MXEA L. 1AittlRE1, at ile restf!-one of tihe brire's Whathr. ott i h :0'1 lUst., 1 i he V. It. 1,. Mll'er, Mi. ... . otiis, of Waitallk, to NiAs LLA ite aig, luigte of C. S. l3-ce, Esti., of Fair NE W, CII AP -AND ATTRACTIVE GOODS! Enil the attention of the L-idies 'totrnew stock of libCollars,Collerettes, Linen Collar4, Silk 'ies, lhabrg ldg os, Alerlin and Kid Gloves, Ilosiery, liuandlkcn-hiufs, iibbons, and varioils >ther goods which we are offering as low is anybody. a~licoes from Cj to 8j ceis. Brown lionospun from i to 10 cents. Bleached Hoilmespuns from .3 to 12J 7-ents. ChleTed Honespuns from 10 to l2M cents. Ticking from 10 to 25 cents. 10-1 Bleached and Browit Shoetings, very low. A nice assortment of Dress Goods an(Id Fancy, Dress 3utt,ns, Shawls. Ladies' and \Bisss' Ioulevardl Skirts, white, red aind plad, ianneis, Jeans, Cassimicres and Reiielants. Our Gents' Department is full and com1 >lete. Everything froimi a pa Ier collar to in overcoat. A good assostment of Carpets on band, very cheap. Our stockc of Shoes and Hardware is .'all and examine our goods, end we vill convinco you that we dlon't intend to bo undersold by anybody, anywvhere. MoMASTER & BRICE. Columbia Business Cards, lTEAD)QUARTRIS f'or cheapest Gro L.ceries and Hardware in Columbia, to be found at the old reliable house of LORICK( & LOWRANCE. ITTIX'S, Portraits, Photographs, Store ILOscopes, &c. All old1 pictures 30ptied. Art Gallery Building, 1241) Main Street, C'olumnbia, S. CI Visitors are cordially invit('d to call and examine. CIIARtLES ELiIAS,formerly of Camden, htas muovedi to Columbia, an I opened large stock, of Dry Goods andt Not ions, Iloots, Shoes, Trunks and Valises. Satis faction guaranteed. D IEROKS & DAVIS, imiporters and dealers in Watehes, Clocks,,Jewel try, Silver aind Plated Ware, Ilionso Ft rn ishi ing Goods, &.c. N. ]B.---Watches and jew alry repaired. Columbia, S. C. oct 27--y Ti'lO 8tRto of 80111h (Carolinn. To Daniel WV. Gladden, 'James Tidwehl and Keziah TidIwell his wife, Isaiah TF Giladden, William II. H. Mingo a l M'ary Jane Mingo his wif"', h10ii heirs andi rep)resientaitives of Minor Guladden, who died intestate: Y OU0h are hereby required to appear at theoumrt of Probate to he hoelden at F?airlleld Court House for Fairieold County. on the 10th day of Deeember, A. D). 1877, to show cat,se, if anly you can, why the real estate of Minor Gladden, dieceased, diescribedi in the potition of Ehzia J. Powell, filed in my oli co, should not be divide~d or soldi, allotting to the said ElizaJ. P~owell one-half, and to the andi Isaiah TV. Gladden thft other half in egqu.l prop)ortions betw een th em. Given under may hand and seal, this 4th day of October, A. D. 1877. L. s-Judgo of Probate '- Fairfild County. TO the defendants Daniel W. Gladden, James T1id well and (o'ziah Tidwell his wife, William H1. II. Minge and Mary Jane Mingo his wifo.& r 3AlE notico that the summons in this Iaction, of whi,'h thle foregoing is ai copy, was ftlod in the oflloo of theo Probate Court, at Winnsboro, in the county of I Fairfield, in the State of South Carolina, I on the 4th (lay of Oetob)er, A. D. 1877. J AS. HI. R ION, Petitionor's Attorne, oWinnsboro, 8. 0 Augusta_ Afortisements, 1 E'ST Dry Goods House in the South. 3 All expross freights paitt whro the order is $10.0). Writo a Postal for Sam plos and Prico List. V. ItICHALDS & BRO., oct 27- Augusta, Ga. G. V. DeGraaf, .IV holesale and Retail FURNITURE DEALER -AND x.cLe3rtatlv.c '. Undertaking in all its Branches. 147, 1474 and 149 Broad St. PARLOR SUITES. Six Chairs, IIair Cloth or 1eps, $21 24 PARLOR ROCKERS. [arved Top, IIair Cloth or Rep, 900 4. 4 11 00 a 4 ' 14 00 1700 MATTRESSES. 3traw and Cotton, $' t-0 4 "a 4 00 Shuck and Cotton, :3 75 4 " 4 25 Cotton, 900 SIDEBOARDS. Marble Tops, $22 " "' 30 " "4 35 " " 40 " " 45 S 4 50 150 PARLOR SUITS. Seven pieces, Hair Cloth or Reps, $ 45 50 "44 4 70 " "6 80 " "s 90 " "4 125 Nino " Leather or Cann 150 l':ight " Fiu-, upwards to 450 G. V. DeGIZAAF, oct 27- Augusta, Ga. Zf' No chargo for drayage or packing. SIt E3? LFFV'S SA L H. B Y virtt e of an execution to mo direct ]ed I will off.er for sale before the Court Jllse door in Winnsboro, on the first klonday in November next, within tho egal hours of sale, FOR CASH, the fol owing described property, to wit: All that. plantation or tract of land ying in Fairfield County, on waters of Beaver Creek, containing '-runEE HUNDRED IN YOUnRT:N ACUES, more or less, and iounded by lands of "Ars. J. P. Coleman, ,.iss Sallie .P. Lyles, T. M. Lyles and Ahers. ALSO, One tract of land lying in Fairfield ?ounty, on waters of lo10ky Creek, con taininig ONE HUxDm.s A)sEvE.:-riIErn-. Acni:s, more or less, and bounded by lands of Wesley Maytild, J. C. Feaster, Estatte of 11. J. Lyles, Mrs. M. E1. Means, [saac II. Mdeans andl Samuel B. Clowvney, ill levied on as tho prIopert.y of WV. S. Monteith and ltichacrd O'Nele, at the quit of Edwin S. Scott, survivor. S. W. 11UFF, Shcrifrs Office, S. F. C. Winnsboro, S. C., Oct ober 13, 1877. act10-.11x2 ______________ Tho State of South Carolina COUNTY OF FAIBFIELD. In the Pr'obate Court. Samuol A. Murphy, as Administrator, vs. T1arleton Murphy and Others. T N pursuanne of an order from the Court of Probato for Fairfield County, imade in the above sbat.ed ease, I will offer for sale b)efore the Court House door in Winnsboro, on the first Monday ini Novem ber next, within the legal hours' of sale, all tho right, title and interest of Eph.. raim M. Murphy, deccased, in a certain lot of land lying arnd situate in the town of Winnsboro, containing one-fifth of an acre, moere or less, aad embraced within the following area, to wit: commencing at the south-west corner of let number one llhundredl and thirty-two of said town and1 thenso running south1 along Congress street thirty five foot, thon cornering and running atright-angles to said street in in easterly direction about two hundredl and. fifty-seven feet to the track of the U'harfotte, Columbiia and1 Angusta Rtail. road (eCompanay, then cornering and run, nogin a northerly direction along said track thirty-frve feet to the southern line >f lot nambemr seventy-twvo,then cornering md running in a wvesterly direction along he southern line of lets number seventy. wVO and one hundred and thirty-twvo ibotut two hundred and fifty-five foot, to hce beginning points. TF.nMs OF SALE: One half cash, the balance on a eredit fone year, with interest from day of cal, purchaser to give his bond Secured y a moertgag e of the promises sold, and o pay for all necessary papers. ALSO, FOR CAsR: All the personal property, c-maisting of )1o Gob4i4 Watch andl the uncollectedl 'motos and accounts belonging to the estaito if the said Ephiraim M. Al urphy, do. eased. S. WV. RLUFF, Sherff's Offioo, S.* y",' Winnsboro, 8. U., October 9, 1877. >ot 13-tas A'nowv Piano, made by one of the lead. Aing manufacturers of the United Statos. The instrument has~ a comupase 0 seven and one-tbird octavea, and is alnished wvith all the latest imp)rovements It can be bought at a great reductior' from retail price. Apply at the ofieo of THE Nzws AN HEALDt. hune mA