Opinion
9812
September 28, 1977
IN THE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION, APRIL TERM, 1917.
Proceedings in nature of quo warranto by the State of South Carolina, by Thomas H. Peeples, Attorney General. against Wade Hampton Gibbes. The Attorney General proposed an order, consented to by counsel for both parties, referring the issues of fact involved to a special referee, to try the same, and report thereon to the Court.
Thos. H. Peeples, Atty. Gen., and Timmerman, Graham Callison, for plaintiff.
R.B. Herbert and Weston Aycock, for defendant.
September 28, the following order was made
It appearing that issues of fact as well as of law are to be determined in this case, and that the parties have had ample time to have had such issues regularly heard and decided in the Circuit Court, and it further appearing that there is still ample time for them to have such issues there decided, and, if the decision of this Court thereon be desired, to bring the case here regularly on appeal, and have it heard as early as it could be heard in the original jurisdiction, it is ordered that this Court decline original jurisdiction of the case under rule 25 ( 104 S.C. 534, 90 S.E. 11), and that it be remanded to the Circuit Court for hearing and decision.
As the issue involved is one of public importance, the Circuit Court will give the case precedence in hearing and decision, so that, if appeal be taken to this Court, the same may be disposed of with all convenient speed at the approaching term.
It seems to me that the consent order proposed by Attorney General Peeples should be granted.