New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-06
THE COURTS.

nun GRAND UyRY TOLD THEIR DUTY.
.u.pp cuARGR ny RECORDER HACKETr-HE EN-
yo,Ns THE sTRCTEsr SECRECY. AND WARNS
THEM AGAINST OUTSIDE rNTERFERENCk.
The October term of the Court OF Generai
eessiops Recorder Hackett presiding openea
A Grand Jury, with Sylvester W. Comstock o, nv 1V
Hasr rwenty.third-st as foreman was mpane'eo, a"o
after delivering the usual charge the Recorder saiu'
In addition 10 the statutes just quoted, and TO when
.n..,ayv en,oined 10 call your attention. feel 10
h my duty 10 advert TO the action OF some VI
former Grand Juries who, while impaneeo anu "e'hs
=. such would appear TO have been Improperly >hhu-
encea and 10 have their oath OF Office Grand
yuv is the great inquest between the government anu
the citizen institution to be preserved In lts purity
The urinary safeguard against undue interference on
che one hand OF grand Juror with citizen, ana upon
the other OF citizen with his grand juror, Is IN sict
obedience 20 the oath taken. which requires tnat all
matters that shall be given to the Grand Jury In charge
shall kept secret. The form OF the oath Is OF tue
earliest origin in English law, and has never Seem
changed IL is comprehensive, and stated WIN az
that concseness ana perfection in meaning wnncn h Illus
trates the style early law writer's The reasons wnlSn
require secreev quote now from oooR tnat 1es
with the historical ana are Of nature looking
20 the public good, because II the Graho jury oouu
leave their room disclose what they were dolng ac
sased persons who had been arrested, could make
their escape, and persons would then De aeterrsu t
before them. In the inception of the Grand
Jury system this secrecy was pa rncuanr ~
he check upon the despOc and accusations OF
In later days. would seen d IIas
The secrecy valuable to prevent malicious anu oppS
Influences citizens against each other anu tne GOV
srnmen Observe the 0saG You 9 fsew pnd YOUR
own YOU will keep secret" j emphasize this suplect
u roowledse that within the past six months in this
sounty the Grand Jury has come TO be Dody qute s
much the subject of lobby influences legislative
hodies would seem 10 be. Speculations as to what
lrand Jury will do, and even wagers upon tneir
sose houses Even apparently consistent and credible
carnations have beea ponSs and ooipions OF Grand
yuries in pending matters . ,,...o .,.,,,o
pulse the reporters for what they may nave sao Uu'
certainly some members OF the Grand Jures nave VIC
lated their ah ay sserey n ane Of c%e Grand
have in the past distinctly shown traces ses
81 "G TeconsideratiCHs and references which
can only be- explained upon oehei tnat S Snaiv
nndIng or finally dismissDg bills Of indictment The
Grand Juror who suf, himself 10 be even lmpnealy
approached upon subject matters pepdng DeiOre the
body OF which he is member not only violates BIS oa,
but he transcends common law that loroias su nn
approaches the act OF the citizen or I'D the con
sent of the Juror.
Gentlemen should i, happen during the present term
Of your duty as Grand Jurors. that any person whom
sOever-exceptinE the Attorney who, when de
sired EUar eGa or to YOU
for against the prosecution OF any complaint pena
promptly communicate the facts TO this Court in order
that the person offending nay be summary dealt
bower SH to destroy opportunities for this lobby
Influence with the Grand Inquest; but II Jurors
Allow letters 10 be written ana delivered 10
them by accused persons counsel or visits
10 be made their places OF business or houses
by friends suspected persons lie cannot obVate sucn
a scandal Illustrate The wrong intended Gentie
men, outlining these few suggestions peg you 10
fake them TO heart you CONSIDER Inc oatn that you
have respectively taken.
At the September term OF the Court Judge suther-
hand charged the Grand Jury effect, yet the
Of the Grand jury room were not only disclosed
and published, but tho Grand Inquest Allowed III
one least accused persons To appear BEFORE then
and testify respecting the charges OF maieasance III
Office preferred against them.