The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-09-03
THE JUDGES CHARGE.
Judge Noonan Recommends That the Action
Of the City and County officials
Be Investigated
lie Places the Peace Omoers ON the Horns
of Delemna and Makes Some
Suggestions.


in the District court when the following gen
tlemep we're sworn 10 as members Of the
grand jury: Joseph Ulrch, foreman, J. NJ.
Bell, Louis oge, J. N. Carpenter, James
Applewhite. Manuel Yturri, J. s. Ramsey,
c. S. Noyes, r. w. Wallace, J. W. Sibert
Theo. Diessehurst and J. NJ Foster.
The Judge then proceeded 10 deliver his
charge, which was as follows.
Gentlemen OF the Grand Jury
The business you have to transact is per-
haps not Of more than ordinary importance,
but there is a great amount Of it, The jail
cases demand your immediate attention. The
Sheriff informs me that he has 100 men con-
fined in Jail, which is more than he is
authorized to eonine. For public benefit and
humanity tits desirable that these cases should
be first Investigated, as doubtless there are
prisoners who are entitled 10 their discharge,
or there is not sufficient evidence to warrant
their conviction. The questions to be pre-
sented are not new to you or to the COM
muniy. 1t is your duty in making inveStiga-
ton to give to each other information Of any
EXTRACTION on THE LAW,
and to cause such matters to be investigated.
A few moments ago the responsibility rest
ing upon you was the same as that Of other
CT zens, now the situation is changed by
your being sworn in as grand jurors. Upon
you rests the peace and prosperity of the
county, for the next three months. Upon
you rests the guilt and innocence Of those
who are in Jail. II is true that you will find it
hard to lay aside the prediction and preju-
dice you may have formed, but tits incumbent
upon you TO lay aside all those fellows and
comply with the letter Of the law. The law
has no vitality or force unless it is given by
your action. 1t is true that according to the
papers and the arrests the impression is
formed that we are passing through car
nival OF crime. | do not think So We are
simply
REAPrNG THE FRUITS
Of the past. During the war, and for some time
past, acts of violence were tolerated, and from
the want Of school and proper training, many
men have become criminals. know some Of
those. Their fathers were good men, bu, they
allowed their sons to grow up wild without
education or control. As a natural result, they
have become criminals. Such we depi ecate,
but you have no alternative than TO carry out
the law, though !, may be hardship for you
to see such men indicted, tried, and, perhaps,
convicted of crime. Formerly the grand jury
had only to deal with the foreign, The immi
grant, and the renegade, who had probably
been convicted in their own Country before
they came to Texas, but now you have to
DEAL WITH OUR OWN PEOPLE.
The only thing you can do to stop crime is to
deal sternly with all; to show the law does
not discriminate; that you know no men, nor
no prejudice except that of the law. a num-
Der Of men break the law with impuniiy.
find their names regularly on the docket, and
should feel lonesome If did not see them
there. These are part Of the fittings. The
Judge read the section OF the law which pro
vides for extra penalties where men have been
previously convicted Of the same ofiense.
mention this because it is usual to fine a
habitual gambler the lowest penalty, $2s.
This section gives you the power to make it
500. In the same way
HORSE THIEVES
usually go for five years, whereas they can be
sent for fifteen years without any trouble
to them or the State. Speaking OF
horse thieves, there is n class to be touched,
namely-the men who buy horses. The men
who steal horses are vaRabonds who do not
think it any particular harm to seal
horse, but the men who buy stolen horses
know that it is a crime. The theft benefits
the man who buys, not the man who sells,
who usually receives not more than 10 per
cent Of the value. 1t would. be we'll to inves-
igate the horse dealers on general principles.
II they are honest il will do no harm, and if
they are innocent they may give yod consid-
cradle information on the question. 1t would
be pertinent to give you some Instructions on
the destruction Of fences and and pastures. II
is now a misdemeanor, but it is hoped that
this will be altered. Many men destroy
fences and pastures who do SO in the spirit
Of communism, but communism
MUST BIZ STAMPED OUT.
read you little law upon the duties Of the
officers Of the law. The officers are very nice
gentlemen, but the weather has been very
warm and may have made them inactive. The
Judge then read the laws upon gambling. He
then said ''that he found the streets travelled
by persons described in the 'agrancy statute
which he read and said From the profound
apathy OF the city and county officials in re-
gard to the vagrancy and gaming laws it would
seem that they are ignorant Of the violation Of
the law or obliuous to 1t, II ignorant, the
officers are inefficient, and il oblivious they
have failed to do their duty. They can take
which horn Of the dilemma they choose. II
your verdict convicts them Of inehicisncy or
dereliction of duty il is the duty Of this court
TO REMOVE THEM
This is an important question. This govern.
ment is one of trust from the Governor down.