Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1882-04-12
DAILY Observation-Disclosures
JUDGE CRRENE's CHARGE TO TINE
CRAND JVRY.
ZEN OF TIE GRAND JUNK

0lO6G 6RBESES NAAAS1 - ssss
CRAxD jury.
GENTLEMEN OF TIE GRAND JUEI:-
God has given the people Of the Unit
cd States many things to be thankful
for but nothing more clearly thank
worthy than the right and liberty of
sslf Our government: is
not only for the people, but OF the peo-
pie and BY the people. Every depart
n,ent and function, every Office and Off
Ger, originates with tho people ~ their
own idea. belongs 20 them "a their own
property, is established among them As
their own choice and il subject 70 them
as their own concern. In short tbs gov
eminent is their government, and its de-
part ments and methods are under their
absolute control. Whatever 10 done is
their act. and whatever il undone is
their omission. If tho commonwealth
il governed we'll, the people are TO be
commended; if i'll, thsy are TO be blamed.
You and are called by the people ont
from among themselves TO perform Ger
tain duties in their scheme Of govern
ment. We act for them. They have
chosen N TO represent them and they
choice. If We do i'll. they may censure
or degrade as, but that will not relieve
them from the unhappy effects Of their
own unwisdom. Responsible to them
W are AZ servants to master, but what
ever we SOW, be it wheat or tars. they
reap. Theirs is our field OF labor and
theirs the crop it shall yield. God grant
that we may put in such seed As shall
hStrr than vtnh -
leaving not even q cleaning Of shame.
The people Of this country and Terri
tory, in roaring tbs castle of their Iiber-
ties. have built into it the grand jury
system as bulwark against injustice.
BY the Territorial Legislature, it has
been enacted, THAT no person shall bs
held to answer in any court for An al
legged crime or offence, unless upon in
dictment by grand jury. except in
GASES OF misdsmeanor before n Justice
OF the peace or before court martial. y
A kindred provision, contained in the
Constitution Of the United States. is
also in force here. This Territory, Gre
ated by tho nation, is organized and
sustained under the Federal Tonstitu-
ton, apart from which no national act
or creature can exist. Our local author
Twice. oAO hSo8l OtRhu3 u bu0 OIlftcu
States. Through these local organs. tho
nation exercises its governmental power.
All tho general provisions of the Ma
tional Constitution. therefore, which are
intended TO insure tho due administra-
ton Of justice throughout tho range OF
national authority, and particularly the
provision which requirssa grand jury in
certain CLASSES Of cases, are a part Of tho
Territorial organic Law, and a. such are
fully operative everywhere in this Terri
tory. According to Amendment V of
that Constitution, no man can be ''held
10 answer for capital or otherwise in
famous crime unless on q presentnent
or indictment Of grand jury. except in
cases arising in the land or naval forces
or in tho militia when in actual service
in time OF war or public danger"
80 you zoe, gentlemen, that both the
voice OF tho people Of the nation and
the voice Of the people of tbs Territory
call you TO your present position OF ssr
vice and trust. You are summoned 10
do what cannot b done without you.
You are made All indispensable organ of
the government. And for tho present
juncture it rests entirely with you,
whether certain things essential TO good
government shall be faithfully done.
Jhe things you are to do are these
First, to inquire of and present all those
GLASSES Of offences which ought to be in
dicted and tried in this court; second,
toeinvestigate the condition and misman-
sgsment Of tho public prisons OF the
counties from whence you come; third,
TO search within those counties into the
wilful misconduct in Office of public
officers; and fourth, to examine in your
discretion and within those counties the
public records. From this short out
line OF duty, you will discern how i'm
portant Ia the post to which you are AS
signed. Defense Of the commonwealth
against lawlsssness and disorder. vio-
lence and all manner of crime is for the
time being entrusted to you. Your stead
mess and discretion will alright and
discomfit those disposed to break the
law. There il a cry abroad that the
courts are inefficient. Lot all who look
on go whether this court il insufficient.
Lot them 500 what can DO done in the
way OF constitutional government, when
men of spirit and courage and honor
and good sense undertake public mat
ter and throw into il the Same energy
and fidelity that characterize them in
private affairs. For myself. do not be-
heve there exists anywhere in the Union
: community in whom may 10 more
safely reposed the great and honorable
trust OF popular government, than in
that which inhabits the counties of King
and Kitsap in Washington Territory.
AZ l desire to speak at some length mp
on certain criminal matters that will
be before you, ! shall not detain YOU
with any statement of the forms Of pro
cedure necessary for you ~ observe
For information a. to such formalities
refer you directly 10 tho sections of the
Revised Statutes Of the Territory, cor.
responding to Chapters XIV and XIV oi
tho Criminal Practice Act Of 1873, which
sections or chapters l instruct you t.
Cause TO he read over aloud, i'm YOU,
hearing, after you retire to your room
and before you take up anything else
On one particular, however, wish e
say word. Your oath requires tina,
what Ia said aud done before Won M
grand jurors you shall keep secret
Perfect secrecy demands no small
amount Of watohfulnesa. To fail in thi.
II 10 be disloyal to the people and 10 he.
come liable to severe penalties. Re,
frain. therefore, even among yourselves
unleas You are all together in business
session, from mentioning or alludiug e
anything that has been or il to be OF
Totally before you. No ono but your
selves should be allowed 70 be prcscn,
during your deliberations or findings
II 4 complaining witness shoull bs ons
OF yourselves, even he must be excluded
Keep eavesdroppers away from Won,
chamber. Let no hint OF yoar doing.
In any way leak ont. Seek no advics
from any outsider and take none tina
suoh may volunteer. II you want ad
vice - 70 the law--any or all Of YOU
the proper prosecuting officer and tn,
court are at your service, employed ant
paid by the people for the purpose. ane
viii b. found always ready and glad e
assist you.
charge you TO inquire Of and prssen,
all cases Of offences indictable in fhi,
court and included in tho enumeration
which now give.
lat. All crimes either against the lawS
Of the United States or against thoae OF
the Territory, Of the commission Of
which anyone OF y0u personally knows.
ID. All crimes against the laws Of the
United States or Territory. which NAV
b brought. 70 your knowledge in the
coarss Of any inquiry directed BY these
instructions.
Sd. All cassa Of persnna in custody q,
under bail, charged With the oom,nissiou
Of offences against the laws OF the