Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-12-08
The Charge to the Grand Jury.

Yesterday, on the Grand Jury OF the Criminal
Court being sworn, they were appropriately
charged by Judge Fisher, who will preside at
this term OF the court. After speaking of the
CoJect and duties OF a grand Jury, and tn ,
importance Of the Office of grand Juror, who.
Ion the time being, il a conseryator Of the public
peace, VINO should communicate the kno wIedge
OF all ofenses he may hear of to his fellows he
proceeds TO detail their duties. He enumerates
the principal subjects which will be presented
for their conds' deratIon aud defines the various
kinds Of offenses Under the head OF .nui-
sance, he says IL is ssthat which tends TO the
INJURY OF the health of a neighborhood, or 10
scandalize and offend the public morals, TO
disturb the good order and quiet of the neigh.
horhood, as the carry .lg on Of an offensive
trade IL public place, the keeping of a ba wiy
house, or tippliug shop, or gaming establish
ment. or q NOISY and disorderly house, OF what
ever description; so Also common scolds, ca YES
droprers and distractions in public highways,
whether by positive acts or inexcusable neglec,
on the part OF those whose duty it is to keep
the same in good order and repair; and indeed
whatever tends to offend or scand the senses
or morals OF the community, is a nuisance. u
he alludes 10 certain statutes passed by Con
gress, which II is made the duty of the Justice
holding the Criminal Court TO give the grand
jury in special charge. The first OF these is the
.ict 10 prohibit the giving accepting within
the District Of Columbia of a challenge to fl ht
duel, and Tor the punishment thereof" APP
proved February 2uth, 1857. The Congress
which passed that act deemed VI OF so much
t. the oath usually pres cribed for grand iuries,
the grsnd jury Of the District should De- sworn
faithfully ana imparually to inquire into aud
true presentment make of all offences against
ITS provisions. Vol -, p 3T5 The next Is the
act IN reference TO the right of suffrage. In q
ease winch has recently been heard before the
supreme Court in General Term, it was made
c1nClusively to appear that at the election held
IN TINS city for municipal officers on the II 81
day CT June last, there were polled a very large
mG iII, OF votes by persons employed in the
military service in direct contravention OF
the provisions OF the act of Congress passed
Tor the purpose of preserving the purity
at their homes in the States, and with
no intention of becomI ug residents here. and
many OF them not having been in the Dis
mere, such as would entitle them 10 vote under
this act, even had they come here intending TO
make this CITY their future home, went boldly
forward. and having falsely and frauduIentiy
procured their names to be registered and de-
posted their ballots along with those OF the
honest and rightful electors OF the CITY: the
Consequence of which has been that for months
together the municipal government has been
III stare OF anarchy, during which the in ter
ests OF the people have suffered seriously, and
the passions and pre!udices incident to party
strife We're aroused TO such pitch as to CAUSE
very grave apprehcnslons of violence and riot
Gus dstur bance of the public peace and tran
qullity. IL will b. their duty TO make Il thor
ouen inquest Tor all such cases, and 10 omit no
enort TO bring TO condign punishment these
yioiators OF the law.