Osage Valley banner. (Tuscumbia, Miller County, Mo.) 1879-1881, 1879-06-05

offenders 70 justice.
Public roads and highways also come un-
der your supervision. Il Is your duty 70
Inquire into their condition and zee that they
are kept In good repair, - the law requires.
You will nnd the law now In forco In Session
Acts OF 1877, page s9s.
The oath you have taken, gentlemen, adj
monishee you not to present any one from
hatred, malice or ill-wili, neither shall you
leave any one unrepresented for love, fear,
favor or affection, or for any reward or the
hope or promise thereof. They may be
persons who will 20 before you for the pur-
pose Of having some one against whom they
bear malice or ill-will, indicted. Their object
will be to crafty thei- private malice, not
10 subserve the public good. They care not
tor the costs that they may entail upon the
State or county. They win attempt 10 use
the grand Jury 70 work out their ends, and,
at the same time, 20 shield them from costs.
You cannot guard against such persons too
strictly.
Your foreman is authcTised by law to ad-
minister all oaths necessary TO be administers
cd to Witnesses called before you.
II any witness that you have snmtroned
before you refuses TO testify when called upon
80 10 do BY you, you will report that fact 10
the court. II the question is such as he
should answer, In the opinion Of the court
the lAw provides means Of compelling the
witness TO answer, or to punish him for
refusing 70 answer.
Whenever required by the grand jury, or
your foreman, the clerk Is required and will
issoe subp9nRs Tor ali witnesses you may
want.
Let me urge upon you, gentlemen 10 use
such dispatch tn your business as the public
good will permit. Indict no one upon doubt
ful testimony. may 90 even further, than
this and say, indiet no one unless there is
. reasonable assurance that there is evidence
sufficient TO convict him on trial before
petit Jury. The State and your county are
oppressed by the heavy bills Of costs that they
are called upon, from time 70 time, 20 pay.
Take no chances Of conviction.
II takes the concurrence OF nine OF your
lumber TO return true bill into court. Un-
less biDe OF you 90 concur, you should ignore
the bill, and report the fact 70 the court, so
that the accused, II In jail or under rec0gniz.
ance, may be discharged.
The Constitution OF 1875, authorizes all
misdemeanors 10 be prosecuted by informs
tion before Justice Of the peace. This 10 q
concurrent remedy With al Indictment by
the grand Jury. II was thought 70 be less
expensiye and more speedy than trial by
the circuit court on indictment. 1t is the
duty OF every public officer Of your county,
who hiss knowledge of the commission of
any misdemeanOr In your county TO give In
formation Of the fact to the prosecuting attor-
neg Of the county Of the fact thst he may
take steps 10 prosecute and have the offender
punished.
Should the proper officers fail TO perform
this duty, 1t win then become your duty 10
| lndict, let the consequences be what they
may. II is NOT the policy OF the law TO let
offenders Of any grade escape punishment
for want OF prosecution.
The law authorizes you to regulate your
own hours OF meeting and AdjouTnIng. You
e 49,,
munity expects OF you the sane diligence
and promptness In tho dischsFgs OF your
duties that 1t expects and requires Of the
court.