Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-10-20
HOUSE-AFTERNOON.

Report-From Judiciary com, by Mr.. Fiheld, in fa
Of H. 3 authorizing states attorneys to prosecute
ind Indictments aud investing states attorneys with
all the duties and inquiries now performed by such
Mr.. Fi6eid explained the merits and effects of the
bill and considered the objections against it, He did
not believe in abOshing the grand fury and leaving
everything in the hands of man to prosecute That
was too much power be LODGED in any one individual
rhe best way to allow every prosecution to be
loundsd upon information and yet to leave IN the
amy ne ne when 4 may oe MIN & rhs
jury under the present system sat satedy ouy once
ayear, and man arrested for felony the punishment
remain for eleven months before he could be indicted
and tried Il the bill reported By the com was passed
the states attorneys could into court a once after
his arrest te an INFORMATION and in Ten days his case
could be disposed Of The saving 10 expense would be
great aud that was an Important consideration. BY
retaining the grand jury system. but making it's use
in his conduct and any rectous Of duty on his part
Mr. Brown OF Grand Isle was opposed to the project
contemplated by the bill. He thought that nothing
jury system The greatest objection to it was the
pense, but he for Sas willing defray the expense
the power to wreak his vengeance upon his neighb0r
The grand jury to his knowledSe had saved many in
nocent in his county from the disgrace of an in
dtctment II the present bill became law the custom
use the Judges would call out except for murder
and the states attorneys would have the liberty OF his
fellow citizens under his control
Mr. Thompson Trasburgh said that the bill did not
abolish the grand jury but simply ENLARGED the power
with the grand Jury in regard to the prose
from Grand Isle that the iii would lead to personal
persecution by states attorneys was chimerca-such
He hoped the report of the committee would be adopt
Mr.. Smith of St Johnsbury hoped the report would
be adopted because it would dispose of criminal bus
aWss TO posspo5e a % in bopes tha
after awhile the witnes es would disappear After a
6e 81 hs SeT s es
we're apt TO be disnosed Of and hence conviction
lend to quick trails # the stae's attorneys dd not
neglect, since it would be called together year
as Nc noT Erovr tn,t hi. ot tno. tro r,oso
they would be to- frequent; that individual malice
would ignore uSder the prsse vtns.ses W could
up 50 s po se BY yni he rS
from st Johnsburv q regard to the dispersion of wit
Mr.. Palmer Of Waterbury was as reluctant as any
body to interfere with system which was created in
in Disturbing IT. G but This s BIN dR did not e. really enarSs
IKE Ss H. OF state while i
attended by a multitude of witnesses He did not
guard OF the liberty OF the individual; and this bill
did not contemplate it.
grand grand Jury .lwa,s indicted every, man whom the
followed mis- advice The grand Jury had never failed
the pages Of the statute book the present bill would
appdrel increase the power of the states attorne'
great deal of needless expense and the speedy
trial and punishment of crimes.
Isle that the Theoretical dinxer ii the bill was that it
stye % statts att rney an opportunity to abuse his p9
TO sersaln lex exfen and had f never been abused s.
$l6.Oooa year. The grand jury was not abolished by
But the states attorney had done his duty, there
asked fer for tho 5e SS and They
rsfd rsak aHd wa. re5a eTerei 3 ay r. SO the third
JOINT NeSOlutiOns.-ErOm the senate providing for