The Dawson journal., 1883-11-15
Duties of Grand Juries

'iiS Hlo9' UpilSHts lIlIeIIl9eut ana
| experienced citizens of the several
counties, because to them must we
look not only for the institution of
proceedings for the punishment of
crime, but for the supervision of
our governmental affairs and the gen.
eral welfare of the people. The
grand juror is something more than
a person in authority, having the
privilege of presenting or suppress
ing such things as he may think
proper-he is an officer of the law,
sworn to perform a special, though
often hazardous and unpleasant du-
ty, and to perform it "without fear,
favor or affection, reward or the hope
thereof, as well as without envy,
hate or malice"
The character of the grand jury in
any particular county may be accu-
rately gauged by its moral condi-
ton, the frequency OF crime, and the
degree of efficiency of its officials.
Go into community where there is
a grog-shop at every crossroad,
where the county seat and villages
are made disgusting and dangerous
by the presence of drunken men on
the streets, where the Sabbath is set
apart for ball playing aud gambling,
and where the public officers are in
competent and powerless, and there
you will find county that does. not
have a true and faithful! grand jury
at each term of its court.
There are many such counties in
the country, but they are growing
fewer every year. Ia every case it is
the tried and true grand juror that
begins the reformation by fearless
and faithful discharge of his duty.
The better clements of society grad
ually, perhaps timidly at first, gather
to his support, and at length the
corrupt and degrading classes are
either driven out or suppressed.
Threats, insults, and often actual as
saults are indignities he is often
called upon to submit to or resent
sometimes his very life is in danger
but a steadfaSt adherance to duty
and right prevails. the latent good in
Ihe community crystalizes around
him and adls to his influence and
strength until the victory is won
Every grand Juror is sworn to
keep secret his own counsel and that
Of his fellows. This, when the oath
is observed, is his greatest protec-
ZION; but, shame upon humanity, in
very many cases important secrets
leak out from the body even before it
has time to pass upon the questions
involved. This not only frequently
embarrasSes the free actisa and ex.
preston of opinion by the juror, but
submits him to the annoyance of the
attentions of the almost omnipot ent
lobbyists who infest every village,
especially during sessions OF court.
Sometimes men are worked on or
off the jury by the connivance OF
officials to attain certain ends, and
very often two or three shrewd men
can carry a whole jpry of good but
timid men, even against their own
convictions. These two points, the
secrecy and inviolability of the grand
jury, are of the greatest Importance
and judges should always especially
charge them to search out the par.
ties involved and present them fol
false swearing, or contempt of the
body. We're this done the public
would soon hold a grand Jurors
oath in the highest respect, and as
sauits on their integrity would soon
cease to be made.
The moral of a score Of conscien
tious, intelligent men, as the grant
Inquest of a community, earnestl,
and secretly searching out the evi
dences of crime and official corrup
ton is great and limits to their pow
er can scarcely be fixed No officer
is too high for their censule or ac-
cusations to reach, and no crimina
so insignificant and low as 10 escape
the SCRUTINY of their Investigations.
Their powers Of general nature
are almost unlimited. They may
advise, commend, censure or con-
denim the actions of public officials,
from the president down to the hum
olest bailiff, or the community at
large. in their general presentments
or they may take special present.
ments in certain cases, emphasizing
their opinion with the penalties OF
the law, as well as indict for crime.