Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-12-22
REPORT ALL PUBLIC oFFRNsEs

REPORT ALL PUBLIC OFFRNSES
Occurring in this district. They should
hear legal evidence only in investigating
cases, and throw aside evidence from
parties actuated by impure motives as
being of but little weight at best.
Scan closely any witness you may sus-
pect is actuated by any hatred or infu-
ence against the man whose crime is
being investigated. The various crimes
must be studied. Whenever it appears
to your mind in evidence that any person
has committed crime, it will be your
duty to indict him. In this matter you
have no discretion, and no clemency be-
longs to you in your investigations. The
Court may exercise discretion, but the
Grand Jury has no right to compromise
with crime. There are certain ofenses
to which 1 will call attention.
ONE is THE CRIME OF PoLYGAMY.
I do this because it is a common crime in
this Territory and committed under the
claim that it is right. Polygamy consists
in marrying two or more women. When
man has lawful wife and marries an
other, he is guilty OF polygamy. The first
wife is lawful, but the second is not.
What is termed common law marriage
is legal and consists of a man and woman
agreeing to live together as man and wife.
The other crime to which l ask your at
tention is the crime of unlawful cohabita-
ton This consists in this Territory OF
living with two Or more women in the
marriage relation, so as to indicate to the
world that they are man and wife.
1t is not necessary to show
that sexual intercourse exists, or that
they occupy the same bed; if they live
as man and wife and he holds the women
out to the world as his wives, it consti-
tutes the crime The fact that man
lives with women under what he terms
his belief of right does not affect the mat
ter in the least.
One other crime to which I wish to call
your attention is
THE KEEPING OF HOUSES OF ILL-FAME
Residing in houses of ill-fame, and fire.
quenting them for crime. These houses
are places to which crime is attached.
They are standing invitations for men to
make brutes of themselves; where per-
sons are invited to live in the indulgence
of lust. 1t is the observance of the die
tates of reason and conscience of man
hood which has raised humanity to the
present standard. 1t is this that has Gre
ated laws to restrain and put down these
places of lust. 1t is your duty, gentlemen
of the Grand Jury, to indict any man, no
matter how high or low he may be, who
frequents house of ill-fame for adultery
and the lust have spoken of.
Gentlemen Of the Grand Jury, have
heard it stated by men who have served
on the jury that if they did their duty,
some one would do them harm. You
need have no fear Discharge your du-
ties like citizens.
BETTER BE SHOT DOWN UPON THE STREETS
Than allow your consciences to be infu
enced by any such motives. If any one
feels as though he stood in danger of such
influences he may be excused. If any
man molests or attempts to harm you
upon the streets or in going about your
duty, protect yourselves and shoot him
down if necessary for you to preserve
yourselves from danger. But be careful
in all these matters. The law will pro-
tect all good citizens.
Deputy Smith then escorted the jury
from the room.