The Sierra citizen., 1854-11-04

names are appended-but we wish it to
be distinctly understood that it did not
emanate from the Grand Jury, hut from o
few persons who happened to be among
the number. A large crowd collected to
read the document, and great was the mer-
riment occasioned by the ludicrous mis-
takes. Several of the Grand Jurors look
ed at it in blank dismay. 1t was finally
brought to our Office, and we give our
readers the benefit of the legal document
verbatim ct lateratim ct puaetuatim,
Had the manuscript been sent to us for
publication, we would have corrected the
errors and answered the interrogatories re-
spectfully we never eondescend to ridi-
cule the ignorance of any one, when we
are justifable in concealing it, but this
paper was posted in the street, with the
design of "wiping ont the CHi-en; it
was taken down and brought to US to dis
pose of as we thought best, and we lay it
before the public as curiosity.
To these anxious inquiries for " informa-
, ton" we have only to say, that We are not
in the habit of answering interrogatories
posted up on the street corners. One or
two we will answer presently. If the au-
thors assert that the Citizen is the organ of
the Court of Sessions or of any party or
faction, they, Individually ana collectively,
utter falsehood We wish this last OBJ
servatiop to be clearly understood, and
have to remark in addition that any bull
lying or shoulder-striking arrangement
will not answer with us. 1t may be well
to bear this observation in mind. Our pa
per has been inofensive-too much so per-
haps, but if any individual or reasonable
number of individuals attempt to brow
beat or terrify US into publishing or sup
pressing anything contrary to our inclina-
tion, they will discover that they have mis-
taken their man.
Question: Is the Citizen a public or a
private organ?
Answer: The Citizen is public "organ'
for whatever we choose to make public
through its columns-nothing more. Its
columns are always open for the discussion
of any subject of public interest, for the
investigation of the public acts of any
county official, so long as the communica-
tions are not libellous, or evidently mali
cious; but the Citizen is not a vehicle in
which every malcontent may vent his
spleen, to the injury Of private character
or to the destruction of confidence in q
public officer, when we do not think his
public character deserves such structures
| With regard to the doings of the Court
of Sessions we have nothing to do. Let
them answer for themselves. That Court
! is composed of responsible men, as vel
as this fragment of the Grand Jury; ap
ply to them for information; we are moi
their keepers any more than you are ours
If you think they are not fulfilling theil
duties, address them through the columns
of this or some other paper, make youl
charges boldly, and compel them to an
swer. We don't dispute your right to in
vestigate their acts, but we do disput,
your authority to peremptorily demand O
us to do what you are unwilling to under
take yourselves.
/ We have already given our reasons 70
not publishing the Grand Jury Report
and don't think worth while to repea
them under the present head-we may d.
SO for general information, but not in an
swer to the questions propounded in tn
street poster. There is another paper ii
Sierra county; why not demand of it tn
publication Of the Report.
In conclusion allow us to state that yo1
will gain little by gnawing file, but tha
|
if you really want information, you ha'
better apply for it in different manner
Also please understand that we do no
recognize that disgraceful fragment G
street literature as the production of tn
: Grand Jury. Its paternity is somewher
, with the individuals whose names are ar
|
pended It is truly most creditable doc
ument to go out of Sierra county, and W
hope that it may make you immortal, fo
it is your last chance. The number {
, "squashed" indictments may be ascertain
ed from some dealer in vegetables: an
other information in our power to comml
nicate may be had by applying for IL
D same in civil language; but in your ne,
$ it would be advisable to try another scrib