The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-05-07
Another Charge from Judge Chris
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| THE GRAND JURT INSTRUCTED SUBSTANTIALLY
AS BEFoRE-vIoLATORs OF LAW CAN NEVER
HOPE TO CONTROL RICHMOND SENTIMENT
| THE LAWS WILL ALL BE ENFORCED. 49,
Judge George l.. Christian delivered the
| following charge to the grand jury yes
terday: ...ta ~. =. 5 "
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury,-Selected
as you have been with special reference to
your intelligence and worth, and knowing
your acquaintance with the varied interests
and wants Of this people, I do not think it
necessary or even desirable to enter fully
into any explanation Of your duties, or to
comment at length upon the obligations
imposed on you by the oath that you
have just taken as the grand inquest
for the body of this city.
1t is not my province to do SO, and have
no desire to dictate to you the forms Of
questions to be propoundeG by you to wit
nesses which may be sent before you, or to
control in any way the manner in which
you shall conduct your Investigations in
your retirement. Your enlightenment as
citizens Of this city, and your knowledge
Of the habits and wants OF its people, will
be your best guide, and the highest guaran-
tees that can be afforded that your duties
will be faithfully and properly performed.
II you need any aid or instruction at any
time, it is your privilege to seek it at the
hands OF the Court or the Attorney for The
Commonwealth, and it will be given you
with pleasure. II anv witness feels ag-
grieved by any question asked, or any ac-
tion taken by you, he is at liberty to appeal
to the Court for protection, and it will be
afforded, if relief is proper, to the fullest
extent.
In my Judgment this community is, with
few exceptions, a law-abiding and laW-lov-
ing one, and am satisfied that the few who
violate the law, and those who do worse in
attempting to back up and sustain the viola
tors, can never hope to control the senti-
ment OF this people, who have shown them
selves to be so noble and true under all cir
cumstances. The offenders aga ,st the law
as it is written on the statute-books OF this
Commonwealth, and those who give aid or
countenance to such, I am sure can never
hope to control the action Of this Court or
this grand jury by any agencies which they
can bring to bear. Whether any law is a
good one or not this Court will not pretend
to determine. But it will enforce what it
believes to be the lGU, and il the law is a
bad one its enforcement is the best way to
insure its repeal or amendment.
In relation to violations OF the Sabbath,
Judge Christian said under that heading
came "selling Intoxicating liquors from y
O'Clock Saturday night till sunrise Monday
morning (refer to Acts 1874, page 76). /
ask your special attention to this matter, as
this law is ia force in this city,"
The Attorney for the Commonwealth will
send you such papers as he has ready for
your consideration. and the Court will take
pleasure in aiding you in any way in our
power in the discharge Of your duties. 1
have directed the Chief OF Police to inform
himself fully OF the condition of affairs in
this city, and you can send for and examine
him fully.
The portions OF the charge here omitted
were substantially the same as were en-
braced in the first charge, and relate to the
classification OF crimes, duties Of the grand
Jury, &c.