Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-07-16
HE GIVES TACOMA A WHIRL.
How THE FOREMAN OF THE GRAND
JURY WAS CALLED DOWN FOR TRUMP
ING WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE Fol-
LOWED SUIT.

Ledger OF sunday.
The Grand Jury had been discharged
yesterday when United States District
Attorney White glanced over the pre-
sentiment they had made, and it was
noticed that he became exceedingly
wroth. for he sat down and dAshedof
some legal phrases with a great splut-
ter of ink, beginning, "and now comes
w. H. White, United States District
Attorney" etc. Under the document
when completed and presented to the
Court, processes were issued upon w.
w. Brown, Foreman, and other men,
bers of the Grand Jury, requiring their
immediate presence in Court.
That which had excited this impet-
uOus action was the following few lines
in the presentment:
The District Attorney for the United
States, directed our attention to the report
Of the Grand Jury of King county, as to
the Court ut Seattle few weeks since, and
to the sOcialistic conspiracies alleged
therein TO exist. We have diligently and
carefully inquired into all matters brought
before US, and have entirely failed to find
a trace Of such conspiracies or any illegal
or reasonable organizations in Pierce
county. The people are not surpassed in
intelligence, industry, contentment and
loyalty to American institutions by any
community in the United States. Life
and property are IS secure in Pierce
county as anywhere in the United States.
and no apprehension of trouble or dis
turbance is felt anywhere within its boun-
daries.
DIDN'T ACT SQUARE.
In response to the summons Mr.. L.
L. Bowers, John Chamberlain and Mr..
Brown came into Court very shortly,
and the first named was sworn and
went upon the stand, and Mr.. White
asked him concerning the investiga-
ton alleged to have been made. Mr..
Bowers replied in some heat, saying
thas he knew of no such investigation !;
was not cognizant that the language
referred to was in the report, ETC., etc.
He (Mr. Bowers) had been made chair
man of the committee to visit the Jail,
he said, and the report had been pre-
pared while he was SO engaged. and he
did not think Mr.. Brown had "acted
square" with him.
Mr.. Chamberlain went on the stand
next and in answer to similar uues-
tions said he had nothing special to
say, but that Mr.. Bowers had stated
facts.
Then Mr.. Brown was called-a big,
round-faced, good-natured man, wear
ing wide, open smile, and carrying
his hat in his hand, preparatory to
twirling it if necessary.
"You prepared this report ?" asked
Mr.. White drawing his chair close and
the vibrating locks of his unkempt
hair showing the passion that was in
him.
"Yes, sir" smiled Mr.. Brown.
"And did l tell you or the Grand
Jury to inquire into the question of
socialism here?"
"Well, l can't say that you did,"
and the hat was observed to revolve
twice.
"Did the Grand Jury have before it
any witnesses in regard to such mat
tiers, or did you make investigation
into the question at all ?"
The hat went round twicc-hesitat-
ed-tOOk one more turn and Mr..
Brown, smiling, answered: "Well, no ;
/ can't say that we did,"
by what authority, then," ex-
claimed Mr.. White rising up in his
wrath, "did you make this statement
in your presentment?"
HE WOULD GIVE 1T A SEND OFF.
"You, see" said Mr.. Brown, holding
the hat quite steady now, it was this
way: The Seattle Grand Jury went
into the question very largely and
made a grrnV fuss about Is, uec,ar,.-,
that there was a great deal of socialism
running rampant about this part of
the country. just thought l would
give our city little send off," And he
sat back and smiled again with in
creased satisfaction.
Mr.. Whites wrath was increasing
momentarily during this little speech,
and the smile of Mr.. Brown, which
had become infectious and now broke
out in laugh all around him, only
served to warm it up.
"On your individual responsibility
then, to give your town 'send off,
you put in the presentment of the
Grand Jury that which is not true
state circumstances which never took
place Ihat IS what We are to under
stand ?"
"Well, now,"-and Mr.. Brown re-
peated his recollections of the Seattle
Grand Jury with some changes in the
phraseology, concluding as he beamed
upat the court" You see, Judge,
just wanted to give Tacoma a little
whirl."
If the explanation itself had not
been sufficient, the little twist of the
right hand as he suited the action to
the last few words succeeding in drown
ing the serious feature of the case in
merriment.