The Billings herald. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1882-1885, 1883-04-21
Judge Wade's Charge.

w eAAS SAohu JuIy az NAAASo ivy NaS
a voluminous document, referring
at length to every item of the abus.
es which are distracting Custer
county. The following is an ex.
tract:
Understanding now the nature Of
your duties and the extent of youl
powers, | will direct your attention
to some matters, required by law to
be given in special charge. And
first to section 149, page 3OS of the
revised statutes, which, among other
things, provides that the grand jury
must inquire into willfol and cor
rupt misconduct in office of public
officers, ofevery description, within
the county; and for such purpose,
they are entitled to free access, at
all reasonable times, to all public
buildings, public offices and public
records,
The language of this statute is
imperative and commanding. You
have no discretion in the matter.
You must inquire into Willful and
corrupt misconduet III office, of any
and stery public officer within the
county. You would violate your
oaths if you failed to perform this
positive requirement of the statute.
Its purpose was and is ~ subject
every ptliaef 10 the scrutiny of hon
tst and impartial men, whose duties
it is to guard the interests of the
people. IN evory county vast sums
hfnioney are collected from the tax
payers and expended in the expen-
ses OF carrying ON the. machinery
of the government; in enforcing the
criminal and the civil law; and in
public improvements. Officers in
,he business of collecting taxes and
paving these expenses are agents of
the people: They are trustees Of q
sacred tust. They have no author
ity beyond what the law defines.
How have the officers of this
county expended the peoples mon
ey? The people have the right to
know, and it is your duty to inform
them. If common report is to be
beloved the people of this county
are being robbed by a gang of
thieves. | may say more than this.
The legislature, one of the great CO.
ordinate branches of the territorial
government, after a patient cn4ury
and investigati2ls invited thereto
by tie executive, whose duty it is
to see that the laws are faithfully
executed, has in the most solemn
and emphatic manner confirmed
these damaging. reports. This rs
sufficient tp put in motion the ma
chinery of courts for final investi-
CATION of the truth of these charges.
The legislature cannot punish for
crime. That remains for the courts,
if after an honest investigation,
grand juries find that crimes have
been committed.
Gentlemen, upon your oaths and
by the aid of lawful testimony, you
are to ascertain and declare the
truth as to these charges and re-
ports. 4he responsibility is grave
and important. You will take pos
session of, and investigate the books
and records of the..county, unearth
what they contain, and bring it to
the light of day. What has become
of the peoples money? Has it been
squandered and stolen, or honestly
expended? Upon your honor, youl
manhood, and your oaths, you will
enquire and ascertain the truth. 1t
is due to the people of the county
and Territory, and to those suspect
ed and accused, That this be done
Eour' material prosperity, business
interests, and social relations, each
and all demand that this investiga.
ton take place, to the end that the
innocent be vindicated, the guilty
punished, and the law, in its majes.
ty and strength, enforced.
The prosperity of your great
county is blighted, immigration is
checked, money and capital to de.
velop it's resources, and to founc
and foster in our midst institutions
that belong to a high order Of civil
ization. are frightened away or KEEP,
idle, because Of these crimina
charges and reports concerning the
manner in which the public affairs
OF your county are conducted
Money only seeks investment
where the law is respected and en-
forced.
Respect for tho law is the frs
lesson every citizen should learn
titles at the foundation Of every vel
regulated community. 1t is thu
vital principal that animates ane
binds together society. 1t is th'
force that beats back the powers
and influences of barbarism anc
keeps men in a condition of civil
zation. 1t checks the tendency tt
lawlessness and corruption. 1t en-
ables men to form governments, t.
plant the institutions Of peace, tt
lay the foundations Of prosperity
to establish schools, to foster learn
ing, to promote morality and vn
tue, to build hospitals and asylnm'
for the poor and unfortunate, an(
to construct homes in which th'
people can live in security ant
peace. You, gentlemen, are t