The New York herald., 1871-11-07
JUDGE BEDFORD AND TIE ELEC rION.
The Grand Jury Charged---A
Warning Note Sounded.
The Rights Of Homes. Voters To Be Protected
"Repeators' and Inspectors TO Be
Looked After.

Al the opening Of the Court Of General Session
yesterday morning Judge Bedford delivered the FOL
lowing charge to the Grand Jury touching the elec
tlOns:-
Mr.. FOREMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE GRAM
JURY-The statute makes 1t incumbent upon me tC
direct your attention especially to the Excise Lot
terry and Election laws also to laws against the
taxing Of Illegal lees by public ofncers. and to an
sale Of tickets upon vessels. It IS my duty also tc
INFORM you that Il you find an indictment against
disclose the fact except to the C0url and District
Attorney, until after such person shall have been
Of misdemeanor In calling your attention q ths
ELRCTION LAWS
unnecessary for me TO tell you, gentlemen. that
the free exercise OF the elective franchise Is the most
sacred right OF American citizenship; It is guaraIl-
teed 10 Us BY the constitution and protected by
The very foundation stone Of our form Of govern
ment the purity Of the elective franchise. Let the
people see 70 II mat tnis high prerogatiye be ever
must necessarily follow tnat our government viii
not only be perpetual, but our country prosperous
and her people great
EVERY CITIZEN
mas an equal right irrespective Of creed, party or
question: and whoever attempts to, or does, In any
manner whatever impede, interfere with or defraud
tnat Gilzen o. tnat right - guilty Of serious crime
ss 1%RS And
I%as 1ians - or ilIessy soina ''
y Tomorrow an I'M election VIII take place.,
and the people of tins cS are wrought TO state OK
intense exclement RumOrs OF all kinds and cha-
racfer pervade the community; put have Implicit
confdence and great faith, as always baYe mad,
in the integrity and law-abdng spirit OF The ma
jorty of fellow citizens feel convinced that no
DISTURBANCE WILL TAKE PLACE,
and that every honest voter wl not onlv be thor
Oughly protected III the exercise or hls right hut
that every fraudulent voter will certainly We de-
tected and speedily punished.
This applies not alone to the class who are not0r1-
ousy rnown as 'repeaters," but also to inspectors
and canvasSers who shall In any manner violate
the election laws AS becomes the duty OF the Dis
rict Attorney promptly to lay before you all charges
OF this character according to your 0aths you
must speedily and fcarlessly investigate the same.
ana II the evidence be sufficient IN any and oil
cases. irrespective Of party or person, lcnarge you,
present them for Indictment. AND, gentlemen, you
may rest assured that where conylctlQn shal follow
your action the penalty prescribed by statute without
lear or favor, will be promptly meted out TO the
guilty. For, at all hazards the Judiciary must re-
nam the bulwark Of our liberties, and criminals
never be permitted to 60 unwhipped OF justice.
The following Is Q list Of Grand Jurors:-Lucius
s. Comstock, foreman; Andrew u Armstrong,
Oscar A. Nathusius John H. Draper. William J.
Ives, Samuel 8. Beckley, Amos D. Ashmead Richard
s. Haty, Joseph Broom, Lewis Fatman, William B.
DmsmOre, Thomas w. Knox, Thomas Dunlap
washington Mckenzie, Ernest Stlger, Wilson Small
william s. Chaus, c. w. McAuline, John B. Ayres,
James Reeve.