Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-21
THE GRAND JURORS.
CHARGES DELIVERED YESTERDAY BY
JUDGES ATKINS AND YRENCH.
References to Gamblers, Lottery.ricket
Vendors, Boyeotters, and violators
Of fthe Liquor.Law, &c.

JuuRe Atklns, oi tuc nustiuBo Nouft
Of Richmond, in charging the grand
jury yesterday, after referring to the
finding Of indictments generally, said:
In cases Of sale Of liquor to minors,
it frequently occurs that the proprietor
Of the establishment is not present
when the liquor is delivered, or the
person selling may be doubtful or igno.
rant Of the age Of the minor. These
are questions for consideration upon
the trial, and the indictment should be
found without reference to these points
Of defence. Similar questions may
arise in the consideration Of the gam.
bling cases, which should be treated in
like manner.
lam happy to learn that the police
have at last taken some steps towards
the suppression of the vice Of gambling
In the community. Time after time
have urged upon the grand jury tho
Importance Of . vigorous prosecution Of
these cutworms Of the public morality
and virtue, but they have been unable
to proceed for the want OF evidence. |
trust you will indict every man in any
way liable under the Law in connection
with these insinusting and corrupting
offences. In order to enable you to
bring to Justice oil who arc smenable to
the law in this respect will give you q
list Of the persons against whom the law
sffixes penalties
LIST OF THOSE WHO CAN BE PUNISHED.
!. A penon who shall keep or exhibit a
gaming table commonly called A b y or +
Otable, faro bank, wheel OF fortune. keno
table, or table OF the like kind, under any
demon ination, whether the game or table
be play ed with cards, dice, or otherwise.
2. A person who shall be partner or con-
cerned IN interest In the keeping or exhibit
ing OF such table or hank.
s. A person whs shall knowingly permit
such q gaming tab e, faro bank, or wheel OF
fortune to be kept or exhibited on any
premises In bis possession.
T. Any person who shall act as doorkeep-
er, guard, or watch. or employ another per-
son 10 act as such, for gaming establish
ment.
s. Any person who shall resist or by any
means or device prevent, hinder, or delay
the lawful arrest OF such Keeper or exhibl-
tor or the seizure OF the table. bank, wheel
or money exhibited or talked thereat, or
person seiZingit
9. Any keeper OF an ordinary or house OF
entertainment who shall permit unlawful
gaming NJ his house. or At any clubhouse,
&c, or shall let or hire TO another person
any clubhouse or other place with intent
that unlawful gaming be permitted thereat
(ln this class OF cases the Intent will be pre-
sumed II the gaming be proved.)
7. Any person who shall bet or play o.
the table or games named. or who shall
play or bet at public place at any game,
except billiards bowls. chess, backgammon,
drsught. or q licensed game.
3. Any person playing at any game or
betting on the same, who shall cheat, or by
fraudulent means win, &C.
3 Any person who shall by playing at
any game elsewhere than AZ q public place
win or lose more than $40 In twenty-four
hours.
These are the various offenders
known to the statute-book, and hope
you will see that no man who comes
within their terms escapes. Witnesses
who may appear before you cannot re-
fuse to testify on the ground that they
may criminate themselves. They are
fully protected by the law. IL you
should meet with this objection on the
part of witnesses you will immediately
report the matter to the Court.
BoYCoTTERs AND LOTTERIES.
l am informed that it is the desire Of
certain witnesses to appear before you
to testify with regard to the boycottlng
of certain merchants Of this city. |
shall afford them an opportunity of
doing so at q later day in the present
term, and | may then have something
to say to you upon that subject.
Another matter of public notoriety-
the Dismal. Swamp Lottery cases-will
be disposed of by a proceeding for the
purpose, to be instituted by the Com
moDwealth's Attorney, and no action
on your part at this time will be called
for.
There are Q great many cases Of com.
mon occurrence to be brought before
you at this term, and it may be well
for me to remind you that you are not
required to examine all the witnesses in
any case unless you find it necessary to
a proper understanding of the case. II
you are satisfied of the guilt Of the &C.
cused after the examination of one or
more witnesses, find the indictment and
go on with the next case. By this
course you will save much valuable
time.
Judge French, OF Manch ester, ON Sfmi-
lar subjects.
Judge French, in his charge, says;
am required to give you in charge
the gaming laws. l sm not apprised
that this vice prevails in your city, or
that there is a gambliDg.house in her
limits. hope there is meme. If such
be the facts, then our good city will
stand before the world as the single one
Of eight or ten thousand inhabitants
with not one gambling.house. fear
me, however, gentlemen, that en- in
quiring mind would not be disappointed
in a game if be were solici,ous to dis
cover 1t.
have on more than one occasion re-
minded grand juries that lotteries are
prohibited in this State, and called their
special attention to what is popularly
known as the Dismal Swamp Lottery,
not only as contrary to law, but as
more subyersive Of the morals Of our
people and damaging it its influences
upon the community at large than all
the liquor saloons, legion though they
be, in your city. One single indict-
ment has been the result, which is for
trial at this term. Will you permit
such violation Of the law? Every ticket
or chance is q separate offence, and do
trust that if this law is still being vio-
lated here that you will afford the trial
jury the opportunity to vindica!e its in
tegrity in such . manner IS will insure
against repetition.
THE LIQUOR LAWS.
In speaking on this subject Judge
French says:
1t is your duty, gentlemen, to in
quire Of any violations OF the revenue
laws. Licenses to sell ardent spirits to
be drunk where sold were granted last
spring only to such persons as pledged
their honor in writing for the true and
faithful preservation of the laws
against the sale Of liquors on
Sunday and to minors at any
time. have no reason TO sus-