Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-10-09
The Grand Jury.

Messrs. Editors:-The state pays, every year,
about $4,000 to maintain this institution. which
is not only entirely unnecessary but positively
pernicious. Think Of it, In this age Of boasted
civilization, evil-minded men make complaints
against some whom they wish to ininre and
destroy and trial is had as secret, and often
times cruel, as the Old Star Chambers attacking
the most sacred of human rights, while the ac-
cused never has suspicion of evil until the jury
have decided his case, and the grapple of the law
has seized upon him and he is placed behind the
bars, among the lowest thieves and murderers
Reputation is dear to most people. There are not
many but would sooner lose their property, or
even life, than to be branded as a criminal Be-
sides persons good name is an inherent and
sacred RIGHT. And the state is bound to protect
that right as truly the right of property, or of
personal liberty.
Who steals my purse, steals trash;
But he that hlches from me my good name,
Robs me Of that which not enriches him.
And makes me poor, indeed"
Hence, every person has a God-qicen right to
meet his accusers face to face when his repu-
tation aud liberty are attacked, and the govern
ment has no right TO have a one-sided trial, AZ
secret as the famous council of Venice with its
Bridge of Signs, and allow accusers to destroy the
dearest well as most sacred of earthly pos
sessions.
Then there IL not the least necessity for this
institution which the state is supporting at the
tune OF fifteen thousand dollars. Criminals are
prosecuted and tried every day in the cities with
out the aid OF this secret conclave. In fact, II a
crime has been committed, the work of the grand
jury is the merest formaty, except in cases where
the family of the respondent is likely to become
a town charge, and then the jurymen of different
towns sometimes aid each other in letting the
criminals escape. We can cite numerous cases
Of this kind. But the worst feature is where
innocent men Of good standing have had blot
put upon their reputation that woald last TO their
dying day. We can cite many instances where
this has been the ease, when no complaint would
have ever been made in open court man
was indicted by the grand jury for forgery and
rested. So soon the defense commenced, the
matter was dropped There was not a shadow OF
u lie had changed the date OF a writing at
the request OF the parties interested all in fair
business-like way But the grand jury in a
secret trial heard but one side and found the bill OF
course The accusers knew ii would never be tried
in open court, but their end WAS gained They had
injured the reputation OF the accus ed beyond re-
pair. Years after, in another part of the country.
this man was a candidate for an honorable office,
and the opposite party, following American ideas
OF conducting elections, were ready TO rake perdi-
tion itself with fine-tooth comb to find some
thing against the candidate to defeat his election;
so they fished up the old record OF the court,
State u.s. SO and So, for forgery" and sent it
upon the wings of the wind. In like manner a
man of good standing indicted for burglary,
and nearly ruined and many other cases could
be cited where honest men have had their names
put upon the criminal records and their fair fame
injured beyond repair, when, II they could have
had the divine right Of meeting their accusers
face to face, the matter would not have lasted
half an hour, In fact the most of these cases
would never have been commenced at all in open
daylight 1t is only because we have this relic of
the dark ages where the evil-mnded may iniure
their fellows and still drdlo pay as witnesses that
such case, occur and the innocent are made to
suffer, And we pay $4,000 every year to main
tain this horror of barbarous age, and yet boast
and boast of our perfection Of government and
civilization The truth is the government has no
more right to imperil persons good name in a
secret trial than we have to enslave our fell
low-men