Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1874-04-25
THE SACRAMENTO LIBEL CASE.

This suit, which was concluded few
days since by general and special ver-
diets for the defendants, is in many
points remarkable one and deserves
more than passing mention. The facts
of the case are briefly these: One Reder
was an official of the city OF Sacramento,
and as such the Grand Jury made an ex-
animation into his official conduct, and
came to the conclusion that they had
found much cause for blame, and signi-
fed their disapproval in severe terms in
their report. For thus expressing this
censuie, Reder brought an action against
tho Foreman and Members of the Grand
Jury. After trial which lasted sevefil
days, all ths issues were determined
against the plaintiff. The case is i'm
portant and interesting to the citizens Of
Nevada, because the laws regulating
Grand Juries and their presentments,
and also that Of libel, are almost precise
ly similar. For our own part, we cannot
but think that the determination reached
was 4 just one, as the evidence must
have supported the charges made by the
Grand Jury, for the separate issues are
each confirmed by the trial jury. No
Grand Jury would be justified in brand
ing an official with neglect Of duty or
improper conduct unless upon good and
substantial grounds. When, however,
evidence is presented sufficient to satisfy
reasonable mind that an officer has
been acting improperly, it is their duty
to say so, and they will not do their duty
unless they call the attention Of the pub
lie to the specific acts of commission or
omission. In the performance of this pub
lie duty, they certainly ought to be pro-
tected and not rendered liable to civil
suit and criminal prosecution, or either.
The only really useful portion Of the du-
ties by law imposed upon Grand Jury,
is the very one for the performance OF
which the officer Reder brought suit
against them. 1t is that Of the inspec-
officers, and critical examination of
their official acts. 1t is very doubtful, if
the criminal part of a Grand Jury's juris-
diction is not only useless in the prose
cution OF the ends of justice, but actually
calculated to impede the administration
thereof. 1t is a relic of the feudal ages,
and was then intended, and was means
Of protecting the weak against the
strong by the machinery Of a secret inqui
sition. The judgment or conclusion o.
which, was only known to the offender
when he was placed under arrest. Tn,
reason of the proceeding has long, lonl
ceased to exist, and it Is moot poin
whether this portion of the Grand Jur.
should not follow the cause that gave
birth. As rule grand juries besto,
more attention upon this branch of thei
duties than any other, and as the lay
stands they cannot well do otherwise
The supervision of the conduct of of
Gals of all grades, and the e1aminatio
of their books, accounts, papers, an
the correct and punctual performance Q
all official duties, is important in til
highest degree. Grand juries shout
never neglect to perform these duties an
to give fair, impartial and intelligibl
report of what they find. When they d
this, the law should be so framed thu
they should not be annoyed and insulte
by vexatious and expensive legal pre-
ceedings.