The Osceola times., 1883-05-26


on the subject of malicious prosecu-
tion: We have OF late, frequently
been forced to listen to lengthy ver-
bal TRADES against the present grand
jury system, malicious prosecutions,
&c, with innumerable suggestions
for reform in the present system,
and pointing out isolated cases of
malicious prosecutions as a reason
for desiringa a change While we are
free to admit that now and then a
cnse of this kind is brought promi-
nently to the front, the facts will
bear out the assertion that in nine
cases out of ten brought to the at
tention of the grand jury, it is harder
to get witnesses to testify to the real
facts than otherwiscl in fact, will
squirm, mislead and prevaricate as
far as elastic conscienccs will let
them rather than out with IL; and as
often, when case is made out, and
an indictment is drawn up, the keen
scent of some sharp lawyer discoy-
ers flaw, that's what they call it, a
flaw in the bill of indictment, when
as personal favor to the defendant,
a nolle pros, is entered as . matter
Of course.
The little Blind Tiger, which,
during the sitting of the circuit court
was hid away out of sight, has sud
denly developed into full grown
animal. Eighteen three gallon and
four one gallon jugs, full of " milk"
were brought up on the Dean Adams
last Tuesday to feed it with. Though
such animals are prohibited, and it is
in direct violation of the law to rear
and make pets Of these animals, yet
we find men-ofiicers, sworn to exc
cute the laws, openly and deiiantly
violating it. For shame! Citizens
of Osceola, have you so far back
sided and forgotten all your good
resolutions; have you become tired
OF seeing your neighbor sober, happy
and eontented, and long to see the
little hell that used so frequently be
enacted on our streets, that you must
need ALLOW this monster evil to crawl
like a viper in your midst to lure
your sons and friends and husbands
from the paths of sohriety? Better,
far better, have licensed saloons than
have your boys sneaking in and
drinking on the sly, and then forced
to lie out of it. If they must be
trained as drunkards, better it be
done openly.
II has leaked out that our fellow
citizen Mr.. James ID. Driver, while
in Memphis, a short time ago, attend
ing the races, was robbed while on
the train, of his pocket book, which
contained some s15, or $50, in cash
and notes amounting to nearly So,
600, 90. His'pooket book with the
notes, but minus the cash, was for
warded him by the Sheriff of Shelby
county, few days ago, having been
found near the railroad track. No.
tice has been served on Mr.. Driver
recitlng that suit for $4,000 dam
ages, has been entered in the Mem
phis Court, by gentleman, whom
Mr.. Driver, at the time, accused of
steaiing ms purse, but who on suf-
fering himself to be searched, prov
ed to be the wrong man. This little
affair may yet pruyc interesting,
John McNutt, who stole a hand
ful of money from one of the Mem
Phls attorneys stopping at the Plan
ters' hotel, was captured just one
day too late, as the Court had already
adjourned. He will now have to
lie in Jail and wait until the next
term for trial; not that he does not
deserve to remain in Jail, but it will
be at cost Of not less than five hund-
red dollars to the tax payers, and then
the chances are that the case will be
nolle proscd for want of prosecution.
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE.