The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1885-12-19


District Court
Was called Monday morning at about
o o'clock. Judge Moursund, District
Attorney McGnnis, all tho members
of the local bar and number Of visit
ing attorneys were present. The
grand jury was pGnnelled and sworn
and r. C.. Murray was appointed fore
map. The judge in making his charge
stated that he had deliberately depart
cd from the regular method in charg
ing iuries-that 1t was not necessary
for him to define an ofTense against the
law every sensible man should know
whiAcr offense is without having to
beX ucted. He hoped the court,
pei knd grand jury would work
t{f9A in harmony, as without
til <l5le Of co operation all efforts 10
exs be laws would provo futile.
T&zSNernment is government OF
the people, for tho people by the peo
pie. Its officers are chosen 10y the
people, their duties arc plainly laid
! !. !. /. !. 1. !. !.
ds6g. In this capacity you, as grand
Ne find your duties plain.
81 is to serve your country as
4 Il true mon No man in this
b matter what may DO his
be tried in this county un-
srst present bill. II Is said
rnnd jury is an antiquatod
but it Ia formed under the
pr state and We are not here
but to execute the law.
io have found fault with it
Id IRA led to proeent. anything that
wASwer it's pnrpsse. Certain Of
lenses can only be reached 10y a course
of secret Investigation, hence ita ne.
ceasity. You will doubtloss find much
Testimony brought before you through
maliciousness, this you will receive
with some allowance. Present no one
through envy, hatred or malice, or on
evidence which you believe to be act.
uated by such motives. Leave no man
unpresented through fear, or in hope
offavor or reward. All men should be
equal before the law. You should lose
sight of tho men and present bills
based only on facts, See that men tell
the truth before you, and not the truth
only, but the whole truth. If witnesses
are obstinate, the court will provide
you with power to mako them answer.
You must not neglect tho minor Of
lenses. Crime Is progressive in its ma
ture. Protect society by npping the
evil in the bud. Perjury has caused
more abor.ions in attempts to execute
tho laws than all other forces combined
it is the growing evil OF the present
day. You may In n large measure pro
vent this evil by reducing the testim0-
ny of Witnessed to writing. This tes-
timony could be used as check Mt the
final trial. 1t ia your province and
duty to investigate the county finances
aud the official conduct of MI the
county and district officers. There is
no other way in which these matters
can be properly adjudicated, Ii an
officer has faithfully discharged hie
duty 1T ia recommendation to him
II he has violated the lava or neglect
ed his duty the people should know it
If necessary special committee Will
be appointed to investigate tho Gnau-
cial condition Of the county.
The grand jury was thon put in
charge of Polk Oliver, and retired to q
room to commence their labora.
The following criminal cases had
been disposed fup to Thursday noon
State va. Abijah Duncan, thoft o
cattle, found guilty of illegal driving
and fined 500.
State VS.. Jas. Rainoy, aggravated as
sault, fined 525,
State VS.. Maj GroathouGe, theft OF
horse, dofendent dead and dcmurre
entered.
State vs.. j. 7. Rutledgc, theft Of cat
tie, guilty of Illegal driving and fine
500.
State vs., Willis johnson, assault
with intent to murder, guilt
of simple assault and fined 500.
ssna vs. ]. T. Rutledgo, theft OF cal
Ks. George johnson, theft {
&smissed for want of iursdil
crime having occurred 10 NJ,
eunty.
3. j. II. Rutledge, theft of ca
of Illegal driving, fined $40
VIII Golden, theft of
smissed because defendant HI
ID in Lampnsas county on Il
large.
So. Hugh Harkey, unlawful