The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1880-11-19
HARRISON COUNTY.
Meeting % Circait COurt-COurt
Omcen-Charge 60 the Grand
jury, Etc.

ctts3 nthOets Vi tue uAIi lufOts
aud witnesses, aud proceeded to
business at once.
The mssterly charge OF his
honor. Judge HSmm, to the grand
jury, If reported in full. would take
considerable space in the DEMO
CRAT-STAR, but that space would
be most yalusbly occupied as con-
tanning on- of The clearest elueids.
tions Of somewhat complicated
code. Unfortunately did not ob.
tain the charge in full, and can
only give you synopsis of the
principal points mentioned by him
~ coming within the duties of the
grand jury to investigate.
Aitrrbrirtiy reviewing the powers
endowed upon the members OF the
grand Jury ssgraud inquest, aud
instructing them ia their rights
and privileges az such, his honor
proceeded to impress upon the
minds Of the jurors the necessity
Of full and fair inquest iuto any
Violations OF the laws under the
following heads particularly:
The Law for the protection Of the
lives aud hb~rtirs OF individuals
WAS 40 explicitly laid down to the
jurors and explained that any case
which might come under this head
can he decided by the grand jury
without doubt. Murder, asssu' {
and battery, and all otienses CON.
ing under this head we're most
clearly defined, AS was also all OF.
lenses against the babitations and
property of individuals, such AS
arson, robbery aud the like.
Acts tending to operate against
the public I-sce, such as r0wdy ism,
drunkenness, profanity in public
places aud the like, and al acts
against public Justice, whereby
that Justice may be treated with
contempt, were plainly explained
by his honor. Acts detrimental to
the public health and public safe
ty and public conveniences were
made clearly defined. In speak
in OF the laws regarding the right
of suffrage, his honor was pleased
to know that be dwelt on that
charge because the Law required
aud not that any occasion in Har.
rison county demanded.
The respect due to religion, de.
cency aud morality Was held up Il
the jury in y manner which called
their most minute attention, and
this portion OF the charge WAS de
liv, red in u manner quiet bat &c
determined that the spectator,
knew ut once that any violation VI
these laws would be severely deal,
with.
The laws prohibiting gaming and
betting, and the sale OF intOIica.
ting liquors in violation of the Law
were handled in u m0st instructiv,
manner. While allowing the ful
benefit Of existing laws to thos,
who are engaged in traffic which
cannot but be deplored, the charg,
OF the court to the jury WAS tha
no encr0achmemt upon those law,
must be toleI atrd. He plaeet
special emphasis upon the evils ~
sul,ing from the evils Of intoxica
tion and gaming, aud portraye'
briefly and feelingly the sad con
sequences ot indulgeuces in tbes,
~nlicing out immoraliziDg vices.
Regarding ot-nsrs against tn,
public revenue the jury were prop
erly instructed, but his honor cal,
didly admitted, and with pleasure
that that portion Of his duty wal
extremely light in Harrison coun
ty; that the duties Of county otti
GERS AS performed hy Sheriff Nor
throp and Deputy Florian Seal
and Fred s. Hewes, Esq, ~ clerl
of the courts, w-re such that non,
could speak Of the manner ot tlri
performance without praise; tina
the revenues of the county in th,
haujs Of those gentlemen were /
the hands ol faithful and ener
getic officers. The compliment wa
delicateiy delivered aud reflect
highly upon the Official career O
the gentlemen named. In fact, al
OF the county officials were iu
cluied in the Judges general CON
piiment, Dut the three named con
Ing 80 frequently under his specis
notice received special comment.
All officers Ot the county wer
reminded that they were coDsrrvs
tors OF the peace, and when ii wa
required OF them they must act y
such, aud the citizens must su,
taia them In their conduct AZ sucl
The law regarding road Owe
seers, their duties, their powers
ETC., and the penalty tor nrglectin
TO perform their duties faithful
was dwelt on at some length, hi
honor arguing that the com.itio
Of public roads indicated the pro-
perity or poverty of country q
we'll AZ anything else.
In conclusion the foreman of til
grand jury was carefully instrnc
ed AN to his powers and dutie
. and the caution made to regar
well the oath to keep secret a