The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-06-23
Grand jury Report.

10 Hon. A. D. Leyisee Judge Of 10th Judicial Dstiet
The Grand Jury of the parish Of Caddo, duly en-
paneled and sworn according to law, regardless Of
color mental capacity previous condition, respect
fully ask leave TO report that have performed the
duties assigned Us to the best7of our abilities under
existing circumstances, growing out OF the present
poiitieaeondition oftie State We deem 1t our duty
under present circumstances TO respectfully recommend
the repeal by he Legislature, OF existing laws which
require the inries of the State be drawn from the
list of voters and would advise that the present law be
80 changed tha. the iufie be drawn from the
ment rolls ofthe parish Assessor The great necessity
for such change is doubtless obvious to all as under
existing laws is impossible for the sheriff to find
one in FIVE whose names appear on The election
rolls owing doubtless to the fact that many OF them
were non residents of the State at the time of sot
while many Of them have iong since lett THIS state OF
existence and gone that distant country where the
wicked cease from troubling and sherlhs seldom CO.
If was the design of the present Legislature by the
enactment of existing laws to defeat the ends OF justice
to bring the courts Of the State into disrepuc and to
sink Them if possible in public estimation beneath the
present Executive and Legislative department OF the
State they have certainly been successful in very
eminent degree. r.r@ ~.''tsm
Experience which is said to be good school, Should,
in our opinion convince the most ardent advocate OF
the doctrine of social and political equality IN man,
that while it may be beautiful IN theory, 1t cannot ana
never will be reduced to practice, violating as 1t doe
all laws human and divine, never having been de
and another glory of the moon, and another glory OF
the stars each star differing from another IN glory
What we ask in all candor has been the erect oi eA
listing laws respects the nte OF the present
Grand Jury? Over onehaf of them are destitute OF
solitary qualification for the discharge OF bis duties
except perhaps loyalty to government Tor when De
has feelings of the utmost contempt: Yet these are
the men placed by the laws OF the State against ther
will and better Judgment into responsible positions as
grand and petit jurors to decide on questions nvoly
ing the right to lile liberty and property We take
Measure in this connection to allude to the uniform
good behavior of the colored members OF the Grand
jury for puncualty at roll CALL for strict obedience to
all orders voting on all bills as requested and when
requested with degree of unanmity seldom eqnaled
by any deliberatiye body Of men, thus enabling the
Jury to expedite business with unusual dispatch, say
ing the parish the great expense usually incurred by
holding protraced sessions of the Grand Jury: We
take pleasure in this connection to add our testimony
the unrng vigilance OF worthy District Attor-
ney, Major J. S. Ashton, and deputy sheriff Sims in
the discharge of their duties. We have examined the
parish prison and find it unsafe for the confinement of
prisoners in its present condition.
Respectfully submitted,
c. H. BURNSIDE, Foreman.