The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-11-04
Report of the Grand Jury.

dicial District OF Texas:
.Sir-HaviDg completed the labOrs which
we were called upon TO perform at the
commencement of this term of your hon
OrAble court, the grand jury respectfully
begs leave 10 submit tue following report:
After receiving the very able and COM
prehensive charge Of the court, delivered
ny yourself, we at once went diligently
~ work inthe important part of ferreting
out crime, and by our efforts aiding your
officers in bringing criminals and male
factors to the bar of justice, To what eN-
tent we have met the expectations of our
constituency is left for others to say. We
have at least been Jealous and impartial,
and with some degree of pride point to
the thirty-nine bills of indictment pre-
scented to your honor. embracing almost
every character of OffenSe known to the
law, as an earnest result of our labOrs.
That the number is not greater, we take
it. is attributable TO the fact that crime is
diminishing, and upon this healthy con-
dtion of affairs the commonwealth Is to
be congratulated.
We have agreed most heartily IN the
true spirit of your charge. Texas throws
open wide her portals, and to the honest
immigrant from every cline says: "COmc,
and be thrice welcome" In our climate
and soil God has been lavish in the be-
stOwal of his blessings. Those who come
son and property vouchsafed by our laws.
We have faithfully endeavored to keep
this cardinal principle continually before
us, knowing that upon the strict enforce
ment of the law depends the prosperity
of the state. The special statutes to
which you called our attention. to-wit,
the bell punch law and the road law, have
been Investigated, and we were unable
to hear of violations of either. We are
of opinion, however, that the last men-
toned Is susceptible of many improve
ments, while the former, in all reason,
ought to be repealed.
Perhaps IL is beyond the province of
grand jury to recommend any change in,
or modification of the criminal laws of
the land. but we are constrained. from the
nature of a number of cases which have
been before us, wherein the parties ac-
cused were minors, or the grade of offense
too light to merit confinement In the PEN
itentiary. to, offer few suggestions
which we think viii cover the case. We
believe the ends of justice would be best
subserved by the establishment in our
own county, and others as well, of
house of correction. in which minors, and
others guilty of light misdemeanors,
should be confined. 1t is demoraliZing to
cOntine youths in the common Jail along
with felOns, Tor in almost every instance
they emerge from their cells the most
hardened criminals. The young are too
prone to learn the evil habits of their
elders, and instead of reforming the lad,
sent to prison 1of some petty Otfense, he
is turned loose upon the community Well
vested in all the ways of those with
whom he has been associated, q full
fiedged criminal. How different would
be the case had lie been restrained in a
house of correction, void of all the
rigUr of prison rules. He would not feel
that he was disgraced, and there would
still be hope of his becoming loyal and
lawabiding citizen. In view of these
ideas, we recommend and urge that our
honorable senator and representatives in
the next legislature exert themselves to
secure the passage of a law which will
give the reliefwe have crudely Indicated.
In the pursuance of our laborS we
have, AT all times, been most ably assisted
by the states attorney, Hon. E. Il. Moore.
He is fearless in the discharge of his du-
ties and well versed in the law. What
else need be said of good officer? With
very few exceptions, we have found citi-
Zens summoned before us perfectly will
ing to put us in possession OF all intorma-
ton in their power. The bailitfs fur
nished us by your honor have been faih-
ful, diligent and polite.
We can not close this report without
aging few words of parting 10 your
honor, who will shortly Yacate the bench.
We were touched with the sincerity of
what you were pleasedto term your "fare
well CHARGE" when this body first APP
peaTed before you to receive Its instruc
tons. We regret the inability to give
to the country the eloquent language
used upon that occasion. In taking
leave of you, Judge, this grand jury,
speaking for ourselves, believe WE
utter the sentiment of the community
In which you have lived so long. when We
say it is our conviction that since your
elevation to the bench you have been
honest and sincere in the discharge of
your duty, holding the scales of JUS
lice evenly balanced. That your sue
cessor may do as well is the prayer of
every good citizen. In whatever walks
enjoy the proud satisfaction of having
possessed when judge the friendship
and confidence of your fellow-citiZens.
Upon the eve of adjournment the grand
jury visited the county Jail. We found
the premises as clean and healthy rs
could be expected, rejecting credit upon
the administration of Sheriff Dennis Cor
win and the jailors in his service The
attention Of the county court is invited
to needed improvements in the construc-
ton Of the building, the principal of
which Is n sewer. With this defect
cured, we believe the Travis county Jail
would be as good as any in the state.
The statistical resume of matters dis
posed of by your honor, since occupying
this bench, as given TO us in your charge,
is herewith included as part of this re-
port for the information of the people, all
of which is respectfully submitted.
GEO. w SAMPSON, Foreman.
Will Lambert, Clerk.
Business disposed of by the district
court OF Travis county, Texas, during
the administration of Judge E. B Tur-
ner: Number of felony cases disposed of
by trial. 293; number of misdemeanors
disposed of, 16; number of felony convic-
tons, 2l0; number of felony acquittals,
IS; number OF misdemeanor acquittals, s.;
number OF misdemeanor convictions. s;
number of civil causes finally disposed of,
So. Judgments made final TO the amount
of SlS.67S.00, of which amount the Gov
ernor has RENTED $500 o., and the bal
ance, amounting TO S5S7S.00. has been
paid into the county treasury. The
above does not include the present term
of this court. October 30, 1850.