The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-06
AN INVESTIGATION ORDERED.
Judge Norton Instructs the Grand Jury to
Look Into the Township Order Swindle

Judge Norton delivered quite lengthy charge
to the October grand jury. This was due to
the urgent demand for an investigation into
the financial affairs of Center township.
He was emphatic in his instructions, as we'll as
clear and comprehensive in laying down the law
under which the jurors should act. This charge
for the first time brings the question Of forgery
or genuineness of the overissue of Center town
ship orders to their consideration by officers of
the law. It is as follows:
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury:
The law makes it the duty of the court to call your
attention from time to such offenses may to
require special attention. That official corruption and
criminal practice the part of certain township
open and notorious daylight. Recent developments
have shocked the moral and bought reproach
upon our good name. Plans we'll matured gigantic in
their inception and bold in their operation to rob and
plumber the township treasures have been shown to
exist beyond peradventure.
Shameless and criminal have hawked and sold
fraudulent obligations of various townships in almost
every money market of the country. Ignorant and
corrupt officials have abused their trusts and been
participants in the crime. Without their aid and
active cooperation harm disgrace could have
come To corrupt official is much a crime as it
is for the officer to be corrupted The law it's
demnation upon both alike each is morally and legally
guilty.
at is said that this city has been made the head
quarters for such rascay transactions and that rus
trcts TO plan and perfect their crimes here good
name and fame of officers in this county have been
questioned obligations bearing the of trustee
for very considerable have been presented and
pronounced forgeres
To all these things call your attention and charge
to make full complete and searching investigation
and to indict any who has violated the law. The
of the court to any part of the State and
you may summon anyone residing within the State TO
appear before you and bring with them anything that
may be in their possession that will aid your in your
investigation You call for any books and papers,
and such documents and records you may deem
necessary 1t is the pleasure of the court to offer you
hands the power to make your inquiries what
they. should be-. perfect and complete. Your
inquiries should be marked with elaboration and
judgment. The law does not demand
sacrifice because of its infracon, but it seeks the
guilty, and whenever, in your opin on, you have dis
covered one who has violated the provisions of the
statute, and against whom you think the evidence
would warrant you in sending to the State prison if
you were upon the trial jury ndict him.
1t has been suggested by some that party prefer
ence might interfere with thorough investigation
and honest presentment of the matters before you
| am loath to believe such thing. cannot entertain
mean opinion of my fellows. This Jury is
equally divided politically, and for the court to fear
that you would vote upon the jury you voted at
the polls, upon matter involving the safety of the
public funds and the punishment of criminals who
disgrace any party by their union with it, is too
monstrous and debasing for a moments considera-
ton
The time honored institution, the grand jury. comes
to us from the common law; with the approval of
ages it has the sanction and commentator of good
men and good governments. 1t was composed of men
against whom there could be objection-'gente-
of the best figure in the county says eminent
jurist-,men who conscientiously and honestly per-
form the duties imposed upon them, who act not
through hatred malice or Ill will through fear.
favor affection hope of reward.
The law protects you, the grand jury, during the
whole time of your deliberations and action
be had against you IN consequence of your proceed
ing You thus at liberty without fear before
your eyes upon your consciences to investigate the
actions of Great given YOu
deal with human life snd liberty. and all that
hold dear. You may be admonished, the great
lawgver OF old. Put off thy shoes from off thy feet
for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground
Can it be said that grand jury would act from po-
Itical considerations / think not. There is
politics here it is law against crime.
Your proceedings are secret; one has the right to
speak to you have you the right to speak with any
one, of the matters before you. You determine for
yourself what shall be done, urnfuenced by the ad-
vice of others. You would be in contempt OF the
powers of this court you to reveal the dongs of
the jury room one attempting to control your action,
or to inquire into your proceedings, would likewise
set at defiance the of the court and will
port to the court any SUCH
have thus at some length defined your duties and
advised you of what the law demands at your hands.
thought the grave and serious matters that would
claim your attention during this session warranted
in so dong
During the afternoon Trustee Kitz went vol
unfairly before the grand jury. He asked
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Keeling if he
could go then before that body. He was assured
that he could, but the jurors were not ready to
hear him thoroughly, as large
number of minor cases were before
them. Mr.. Kitz wanted to make
statement, which he did partially, in the main
telling the jurors that the orders were forgeres.
hnd he could sustain his position. Mr.. Keeling
told him that he would have every opportunity
10 do so, and at later day he would be sum
moned to tell all he knew He was further as
sured that the investigation would be very
thorough in bringing out all testimony possible
relating to the subject