Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1875-11-26

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Remarks Of his Honor WIN. NJ. Rockefeller, to
the Gentlemen Of the Grand Jury, Noyem-
Der Term, 1878, in the Court of Quarter Ses-
sions of Northumberland County.
Gentlemen ofths Grand Jury:
There has been handed or sent to me through
the post Office, petition signed by numerous
citizens of this county, requesting the Court to
bring matter before the Grand Jury in rela-
sion to the unseated lands in this county, in the
years 1873 and 1874.
As understand it. il was allesed by some citi-
gems of this county that there was fraud COM
mitted BY the Commissioners for the time being,
in relation to these sales. This petition was
sent TO me about two hours ago, or | would have
laid it before you sooner. Ii comes late being
lust at the time when you are asking to be dis
charged. Yet we do not intend TO have il said,
by any one. that the Court refused to lay the mat
ter before you Whether there is anything in it or
not, don't know. If the Commissioners did
commit fraud in tlis particular or permit il to
be done, they ought TO be punished. And the
Court would not refuse any party an inTestiga-
tior if il is found that they have defrauded the
county. I don't know that anything of the kind
has occurred. II vas alleged in the papers dur
ing the campaign that there has been fraud, and
il this is true, it ought 10 be investigated. In
view of this matter don't know what instruc-
tion TO give you.
At tie last term Of Court VIC we're requested
by the Grand Jury to appoint committee to in
vestiga,e the cost of the Court House, &c.
This committee WAS appointed. 1t WAS irregu-
lar Of course their is no law authorizing the
Court to appoint committees in cases OF this
kind. and that investigation only put expense
upoa the county, and amounted to nothing.
Ii VT were 10 appoint committee again,
additional expense would be eutailed upon the
county without having time TO give this matter
consideration. We now lay these petitions be-
fore yoa. and say to you that yon have the
pririIcgr to 20 into The Commissioners office,
and there examine al the papers sni records Of
tha, office until you satisfied in regard to tile
allegations contained 10 these petitions.
If you can there find evidence of fraud so as
TO satisfy you that fraud has been committed
upon the people Of this county, you may report
the matter to the Court. Such thing as the
Courts appointing q committee has never been
the law in this county, or any other, that know
Of The only way that parties can be prosecuted
criminaily in q Court Of Justice is upon Informs
tion under oath.
Any citizeu Of this county has the right II be
believes that fraud has been committed by the
Commissioners, 10 20 before a justice Of the
peace and take out warrant for their arrest,
and have them bound over. An indictment
woula then be sent before the Grand Jury. If
a true bill be found.they would be put upontrial,
and If found guil,y be punished according 10 the
Act Of assembly.
There is another way where Grand Jurors
have knowledge, personsl knowledge, Of any
efence they may make what is called a present
r,s5s. 10 The Court, stating in detail as far as pos
Sjble the character of the offence Of which they
haN. knowledge and then the Court upon the
presenirueni has the right TO direct the District
Attorney to flame a bill of Indictment, and send
ii back to the Grand Jury, upon which they can
act.
There IS still anoiher mode prosecuting crim-
nal cases, that is by the Return" Of the consta-
bic. That public officer has the right to return
under oath, any crimes that he knows to have
been committed, especially in cases Of nuisance.
On the strength of his return the Court may
direct n bill OF indictment to be sent before the
Grand Jury. These are the only three instances
known to the law by which a party can be
legally indicted and tried for criminal offences.
The only way that I can zee by which this
matter can be Investigated is by some person.
Veace for these Comfy Commissioners. Irthey
can state under oath that they believe they are
guilty Of any fraud. they can have them arrested
and bound over. and regularly proceeded With.
in accordance with the lan but gentlemen Of
iha G;aHd Jury If you know % your own knowl-
edge Of any fiaaaa in the County COMMISSIONER
Office, or have TO believe there was fraud,
the Court now gives to you the privilege of
making rresentment, and have no doubt the
Commissioners will not object.
If in this iuvestisAt.-,s.- you-cIn ind OF your
own knowledge that the County Commissioners
have defraudcd the county in this respect, |
then this Court will direct a bill Of ndctmen,
TO b. sent up before you, aud we will try the |
parties, and if found guilty punish them severely
Now whether you will act in this matter or not |
leave 10 You"
We can further state that "a thorough |
overhauling" was had in tha case. and hat
the Grand Jury reported truthfully the |
facts. The only objection we find s that |
The evidence Of Mr.. d. 5. Rietz, County |
Commissioner, before the Grand Jury was |
not reported in full. If the Jury were inn
posed upon "willfully or unwillfully," ;" our
nelghber's man Friday" Mr.. Reitz must
have accomplished that feat. Mr.. Retz
when befnre the Grand Jury stated that
le signed blank certificate TO be filled up,
without knowing what the statement was
% which his certificate was attached, and
hat he knew Of no fraud or any wrong
committed by the Commissioners, and
would have done just as the Commissioners
lid, If he had been in their place. This
statement Of Mr.. ReitZ under oath proves
'ur statement before the election correct,
hat some designing persons got up the
circular" statement, and got Mr.. Reitz
o certify 10 matter Of which he was ig-
lorant and knew nothing, and which he
,oald not comprehend. We desire to know
under such circumstances, first
wearing and certifying TO one thing then
mother, whether such person should be
Illowed to take the oath Of Office under the
lew coDstiiion. Democrats who have vo-
ed for Mr.. Rietz IN good faith. will blush
o find that he was actually the tool of
hose who were actuatsd by mercenary mo-
ives in securing his election. If such
hings are TO be tolerated, God save the
'oor tax payers Of this county.
A NEW TRADE OPENING. Our manu-
acturers Of cotton goods have brought
heir business to such perfection tha. they