Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-08-17
Report OF the Last Grand Jury of
the Criminal Court.


Hon. J. r. Flippin. Judge Criminal Court
Shelby county:
SIR-We, the members Of the Grand
Jury, for the July special term OF your
honorable court, being now about TO close
our labors, respectfully report; That IN
the discharge of our duties, we have had
before us as witnesses in various cases,
citizens from all parts Of our county, and
the patience Of the people appears en-
tirely exhausted in contemplation Of the
numerous crimes committed throughout
this county, and it seems TO be the deter
mination of our citizens to vigorously
enforce the penalties Of the law against
all offenders, they being encouraged in
this resolve by the efficiency and yigi:.
lance displayed by our worthy Sheriff and
assistants in promptly arresting and
bringing to trial violators of the law,
We find that the instigating cause OF
many cases of violence and murder is
traceable to the too prevalent habit
Of carrying concealed weapons; and
although it is evident that this practice
exists to an alarming extent, we find It
very difficult to procure sufficient evil
dence for indictment, except after the
preparation of some act of violence
where weapons are used, in which cases
we have returned bills, and respectfully
recommend that the provisions Of law
relating to this offense be rigidly en-
forced. We regret to say that in our
examinations the unpleasant fact has
been revealed that many of our most re-
spectacle citizens are engaged directly
and indirectly through ageats) in en-
couraging crime and offending justice,
by permitting property on our most pub
lie streets and thorDughfares TO be occu-
pied as houses Of prostitution, when
under the existing laws relating to land
lord and tenant, there can be no reason
able excuse for SO doing; and in the
discharge of our duty, we regret the ne
cessity that has required US to indict
many worthy citizens for the above
offense lDa' ,htD ,ii4
In our visits and examination Of the
County Jail County Poor House, and
City Station House, we have found each
and all those institutions in a remarka-
bly, good and clearly condition, andwell
regulated and conducted in every re-
spect; and the officers thereof in charge
and control are entitled to much credit
for their management, efficiency dis
played in disoaarging their duties, and
in inaugurating u needed rsfoFm oyer
the management of the past sos
We urge upon the proper authorities
the great importance of Immediately
making some provision for the govern
mept of those pests of our city known
as "MaQkerels." Houses of refuge and
correction are, va believe, more needed
than anything else that the pHblic mo-
neys could be expended for. l1a aoI
We also regret to say that keepers of
bawdy houses, gaming houses, and
Others, seem heretofore to have been
prosecuted "a q source Of profit to Off
cials, rather than with the'view of sup
pressing the evils; but in this honorable
court we hope and believe we see the in
dications of much-needed reform, and
recognize in your Honor the evidences
Of q faithful and efficient Judge. who
gives promise Of proving IAN ornament
to the Bench and q teFrqr to evil
doors" pi
In Luke Z. Wright, Attorney General,
and Marcus D. wright, Sheriff, we hnd
faithful, vigilapt and gentlemanly Off
GERS, who will do their whole duty without
favor or prejudice, and we congratulate
Shelby county in their fortunate selec-
ton.
In the other officers Of the court we
have witnessed nothing which does not
command our appreciation discharging
their duties with industry and gentle
manly bearing, and to all we return our
sincere thanks for courtesies shown us
while connected with your honorable
court. u. llslH
James d. Davis, foreman l. NJ Cans,
R, s. Jones. s. Vendig, B. Mcbride, r.
G. Tucker, +. Glassick, d.. Finnerty,
w. w, Sohoolfeld, Il. Marshall, Julius
Behr, Jno, l, Eichberg Chas, Stout,
secretary. t.