Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-06-07
AGRavD IURv PRESENT THE OFF.
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A GRAND JURY PRESENT THE OFF
GERS OF A UNITED STATES COURT
The multiplication Of OnerOus laws,
and the devolving on the United
States courts Of a multitude Of new
and unheard of cases, is contributing
to bring even these into q condition OF
damorsIizstion. It seems to be the
policv Of the Government to create as
many Offices as possible, in order to
enlarge its army Of officers. And so
withal the grab game goes on, and
grows in importance and mischief
with the accumUladng numbers who
have to be fed. AT Rochester, n. Y,
the grand jury Of the United
States Court, sitting there two
weeks ago, adopted and presented
to the court a series of resolu-
tiOns condemning the proceedings
of some of the commissioners and
other inferior officers Of the court, and
persons connected with the Federal
departments who have been and still
are engaged in the persecution Of citi-
zens by taking advantage Of technical
violations Of the laws. Upon dissOlv-
ing their connection with the court
they deemed it a high duty to bring
these things respectfully to its atten
ton. having first in numerous instan-
ces ignored bills which they deemed
trivial. They say:
j. The court is necessarily very eX-
pensive at best, to litigate for legal
rights, inssmUch as the venue is any
where within a radius OF 200 miles
from the center of the large State of
New York: thus often men are COM
DeIled TO travel 400 miles from home
Tor trial. The venue Of all actions is
of the greatest importance to both par
ties on the trial of the actions with
reference TO economy, convenience,
etc. The bare iOsa OF being brought
into this court suggests the going out
of bankrupt to every one with limi-
ted solvent means; therefore, when
ever there is concurrent jurisdiction
In this and in our State courts, actions
should always be brought in the latter,
unless upon good cause shown.
?. Many Of the cases brought before
US more fitly belonged to a police
court or county court, and most likely
would have been brought there, only
il paid the cOmplainants better to
thrust them before this court. The
grand Jury being the criminal gate
way to the courts, we hope we have
sent none uniustly through il, while
we have the satisfaction of knowing
that we have qUashed the indictment
OF some well "put up jobs" and
would more willingly have presented
some of the witnesses than the ac-
cused, had they been charged with
the Ofense, judging by the apparent
motives of both. We desire TO COM
mend those officials whose honest
statements enabled US to correctly
comprehend our duty, thus doing
even Justice to the Government as
well as 70 the accused.
9. We have had presented for our
action quite too many tiimsy, merely
technical violations of the law, where,
IF the authorities that sent them be-
fore Us are held TO their ruling at the
great day Of reckoning, we fear they
would be shOrn Of their power for the
abuse Of il. The people wish to look
up TO the Government for protection
and not for persecution. We prefer
to believe our fellOW-men are better
rather than worse than they are,
while we have endeavored to find out
in the cases before US just what they
were.
4. For illegal voting the proper
place for correction IS in our State
courts. Most Of these cases would
never have occurred without the
greater moral crime Of bribery to in
duCe them. We trust ere long to see
both Of these criminals 4" got up" to-
getheT. However, Indictment fol-
lowed, where the proofs warranted it,
because it was the right Of the court
70 claim 1t.
3. From the nature Of many Of the
cases brought before this jury it is evil
dent that the Commissioners Of the
United States Circuit and District
Courts in this district, and more
especially in this locality, have been
led to issue warrants upon the afti-
davitB of irresponsible parties, which
practice, in too many instances not
only creates an unnecessary expense,
but works great injustice and hard
ship to innocent parties, who are thus
put to the necessity Of defending
themselves from charges brought or
worked up by Deputy United States
Marshals, as this jury is compelled
TO believe, for the sake Of the
fees, a mere technical violation
Of the law sufficing to create
8 serious charge against the in
tegrity of men who are entirely
innocent Of any criminal intent.
Therefore, we do most earnestly and
respectfully ask the court to use its
influence to have the evil complained
Of corrected, and would suggest
reduction in the number of United
States Commissioners, and,cOnsequent
reduction in the number Of paid as5is-
fants, and would further urge an
investigation into the cause and extent
OF the gross injustice TO our citizens,
caused, as we fear, by the cupidity Of
some OF these officers.
8. In conclusion, IS loyal men and
a. citizens of a lOyal State, we have
endeavored not to lose sight Of the
objects and aims of our good and kind
government, and to prOfOundlyres
Ii and its authority, and 10 give
strength, to shield and protect US all
by protecting it in its rights, however
minute, where its principles were
involved, instead Of the spleen OF
interests Of the accusers. Constituting
Its policy to be liberal and just, we
have indicted only on clear proofs.
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