The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-10-29


To Hon. J. P Riehardson, Judge Of the Twenty-set-
en- Judicial District OF TeEas
The undersigned, grand jurors, in addition
TO the bills Of Indictment BY them presented
in court, respectfully submit to the considera-
ton Of your honor and the public the follow
ing report touching matters OF criminal inter
est 20 the county and State, and embracing
some reflections suggested to them in the pro
gress Of their deliberations This we do
partly by way of apology for the length OF
our session, but especially for the purpose OF
answering important complaints 70 which, un-
der peculiar circumstances Of law or fact, we
have been unable to furnish any other re-
Spouse. In this category OF grievances we
present, first, the well founded one of GER
tain persons being engaged in the business OF
catching by dragn and seine the young Shad
recently planted, under the auspices Of the
general government, in the Colorado river
The time of the commission of the oftense
QOr so il must be called) placed il beyond the
reach of our statute enacted for the protection
of fish, game, etc, during certain seasons Of
the year. We mention this matter with the
recommendation respectfully made 10 the city
government 10 pass an ordinance against the
sale of such fish in market until sufficient
time shall have elapsed TO test fully the bennts
of the generous experiment above referred TO.
Secondly, We are informed that during the
current year many instances of burglary have
been committed in the city Of Austin, and
that even during the present sitting of the
grand jury, dwelling houses have been en-
tered in the night time by these villains in hui
man shape, who still defy discovery and evade
arrest. We recognize the notorious fact that in
said city at least two hundred men of differ
ent cOloTs have lived and "have their con
slant being without any ostensible means OF
legitimate support, the habitues of gambling
saloons and houses Of i'll fame, In this crowd
of popular criminals we believe the burglar
and thief conceals his more loathsome identity.
Applying to the police (the proper source one
would think for information concerning the
habits of these persons and places, we were
surprised to find them armed with instructions
against being present at these hauRts Of the
common law breaker, and in absolute igno-
rance of individuals andcrimesy even of those
misdemeanors which every bOyIn town knows
are being committed daily and nightly around
him. In gaming cases we have been COM
PEELED as usual to rely upon the honor and
truthfulness of the guilty parties themselves
for any and all disclosures as to the commits
sion of said offenses. We submit that in a
small city like Austin, every man, his charac-
ter, his habits and pursuits, could be easily as
certained, and that those who live without
honest work and in constant violation of law,
should be pursuedi with unrelenting vigilance
and punishment commensurate with their
crimes and miSdemeanors, until the evils Of
which the community complains are sup
pressed. We demand of the district attorney
Ia rigorous prosecution Of the indictments
filed, and in case of failure of the prompt
payment of fines for misdemeanors, we rec
ommend to the sheriff where it is possible, to
hire the convict as provided by law, to indivi-
duals or corporations, that they may be com
PEELED to dos some good for community which
they disgrace by their Incidence and profit
gacy, and that none be discharged from custo-
dy until the filing with the district clerk of the
legal affidavit Indicating the expiration of
their term of Imprisonment. The honest
toiler in the sun contributes to the support of
the government which protects his person and
property, and we insist that the time should
end when such men are insulted by the appar-
ent immunity from taxation and punishment
awarded to the perfumed vagabond and
''Jerry. Sneak" +. its
Thirdly, Our deliberations have been de-
layed by the tedious investigation of the
many frauds committed, and attempted to be
committed, within the last few years, upon
the Land Office department. In this matter
we deplore our inability, under the restraints
Of the rules of evidence, 10 present number
Of individuals who have been manipulating
records, and stealing and. forging the land
titles of the living and dead. These sharks
operate through false powers of attorney, etc,
prepared in remote counties and States, either
by {" myths Or real personages, without
local habitation or name," and positive proof
of guilty knowledge on the part Of the bold
and Immediate utterers of these forgeries
signally fails We believe additional requi-
sites and checks should be established by law
on the form and manner by which bounty
warrants, certificates and patents are now OBJ
tanned, and respectfully recommend to the
Legislature the consideration of this impor-
tant subject. Respectfully,