The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-21
JUDGE DUBOSE
DELIVERS A CHARGE TO THE
GRAND JURY.
Attention Called to Several Offices
A Document That Deserves
Careful BEADING.

Judge Dubose opened the Criminal
Court yestei day morning ard imp an
G ed the following grand Jury: A. B.
EIli' fmeman; j. II. Wright, 0. B.
Parker, W. n. Brown, S. A. Douglass,
ID. Q. ~ondrnfi, Tom Hicks, ]. S.
Riwlirgs, j. w. Levy, r. A, Shields,
M. ONtal, w. p Deedrick, Tom
OConDor. The following charge as
then delivered:
GENTLEMEN OF THE GRAND JURY-
You are selected aud appointed under
the law TO irquiie into all indictable
ehenses committed or which may be
tried within the county OF Shelby,
and present them 10 this court. The
mstter having been called to the at
iention OF the Court by the late grand
jury, II becomes my duty to direct
your further inquiry into the conduct
OF some of the officers whose duty it is
or was to collect county, s ate and
Taxing District revenue. Reference is
had to the ate incumbents of County
Court Clerk, the Circu Court Clerk
and the present County Trustee. II it
b. true, as stated 10 said report. that
they, or any one of them, demanded,
received or appropriated
FEES OR OTHER COMPENSATION
for services further than is expressly
provided by law they render them
selves li,be to indictment for exto,-
ton. An honett belief that one is
ent ted 10 compensation for services
performed in office, not sanctioned by
law, will not excuse him The amount
OF comm So on taken and approplia ed
must be such as is expressly author.
lied by law, and the official must be |
able to put his tinger upon some par
tlculsr act Of the Legislature which
would justify him in go doing. The
acceptance OF public Office is trust
undeitak for the benefit of the
whole people, aud any officer who
takes advantage OF the trust and the
confidence epCsad in him by
ExToRTINe CONVERSATION
to which he is not entitled by law il
guilty OF a very odious offense. The
language used by subcommittee of
thelate grand jury in eudeavoring 10
palliate the apparent overchsrge of one
of.those officials is: "This comp ensation
is not at all commemorate with his
services after paying all the expenses
enumerated. The Court charge you
that in the investigation OF this mat
ter you shall discard all such ideas. In
the language Of our Supreme Court,
1T is presumed that the law allows
just and proper compensation to all
officl rs for the services required Of
them; aud if the fee be inadequate
it is 10 excuse for
ILLEGAL RXACTIoas,
because the offices are taken with a
knowledge of the duties required and
the remuneration allowed, and can be
readily surrendered whenever the oc-
tupant thinks the pay is not sufficient
for the labor and responsib lily. "The
Court is thus specific in charging you
for the reason that from said grand
jury report it appears that very
large amount of the county, State and
Taxing District revenue has been per-
" red from its !, gitimate channels and
converted to their own use by the in
dividuals heretofore holding sad Of
fices.
ILLEGAL WEAPONS.
1t is made the duty Of the Court 10
give you IN special charge the statutes
enacted for toe suppression OF the Gale
and use of bowie knives and pis OILS.
Anyone who carries under his clothes,
or cones as about his person a bowie
knife, Arka osas toothp ok, or knife Of
like form and shape, is guilty OF mis-.
demeanor, and when it is made appa-
rent to you that any person isguilty OF
this offense it becIm your duty 10
indict them.s 1t is likewise misds-
meanor 10 sell, or bring into the State
for the purpose of selling or otherwise
disposing Of, any knife OF this descrip-
ton. 1t is not lawful for any per-
son to carry, publicly or pri-
vately, any belt or pocket pis-
tol revolver, or any kind of pistol, ex.
cept the army and navy pistol used in
warfa e, end these when carried shall
be carried openly in the hand. The
provisions of this law does not apply
to persons in the army, lavy or ma
rine service of the United States, or to
any officer or policeman while bona
fide engaged in his official duties
The Court invit your especial atten
ton to all violations OF this statute
Toe custom of carrying concealed
weapons 10 this county must bs
b oxen up, and 20 far ss it may lay
in The power OF this court, by rigid
enforcement of the law, it shall be
done. The carrying of forbidden
Weapons is a crime against the peace
able and law abiding portion of The
community. To some extent it puts
every mans life in jeopardy who is
disposed to live within the protecting
shadows Of the law, and its permission
inaugurates the reign OF The ruffiAn
and murderer. IL is made mis- de-
meanor by law for any person to buy
or sell or give away any pistol cart
trdges in this State. You are clothed
with inquisitorial powers in all such
cases, and may send for witnesses and
prefer presentments against any per-
sons guilty thereof.
THE LIQUOR QUESTION.
II is misdemeanor TO sell spirituous
or vinouI liquors in less quantity than
quart, or in larger quantity to be
drank upon the plaza OF sale without
first obtaining license the 'efor. It's
also unlawful for licensed grocers or
other person to retail spirituous
liquors on Sunday. 1t is unlawful for
any person to sell any spiri.uous,
vinous, malt or mixed liquors to any
pereon under the age OF 81 years
without the written consent Of the
father and mother of such minor, if
living; If the father be dead, then the
mother, guardian or other person
having legal control OF tuch minor,
or If the minor be away from home, at
81 hoo, then the wri ten consent Of the
principal or the person in charge OF
such school. 1t is unlawful for any
person to fell, give, furnish to or pre-
cure fer any husband who is an habit
ual drunkard any intoxicating liquors
after having been served with a writ
ten not ce prohibitory thereof by the
wife of such hu b3nd.
The grand jury has inquisitorial
power IS to these last three offences,