, 1889-11-12
LEGISLATIVE BRIBERY.
The Subject Touched in the Grand
Jury Charge.
Judge vanDevanter Speaks of
Range Thefts.
Model Address Made by the New
Chief Justice.
CONVENED.

siding, Frank Fl. Clark, the new clerk, at
his desk and other officers. including
United States Marshal Carr, United
States Attorney Campbell, Sheriff Mar
tin and a quota of baIliffs in attendance.
GRAND JURY.
A greater portion of the morning ses-
sion ~wss.consumed in e~mpanneling a grand
Jury. These are the members:
g. f. Miller, R. s. VanTassell, Geo.
A. Draper, Geo. L. Holt, L. R. Bresna-
hen, w. F. Hosford. D. E. Brown. D.
McUlvan. NJ. H.. Mullen, Saml. Merrill,
4. R. Hurd, G. p. Organ, s. A. Bristol,
G. M. Smith. Geo. F. lnman, Jno. I'M
derwood. Geo. A. Draper was appointed
foreman.
THE HARGE.
Quite an audience assembled in the
court room at 2 o'clock yesterday after
noon to hear Judge VanDevanter's first
charge to a grand jury. The charge was
a clear cut. c%onsise, strong one. Here are
excerpts:
DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS.
1t is made my duty to instruct you con-
corning your duties and to call your atten-
ton particularly to the obligation of Sc
crecy which your oaths impose.
1t is your duty to inquire into all such
offenses as are of public notoriety, such as
are known to FOUR body or any member
thereof-such as are givcn you in charge
by the court-and such as are preferred by
the prosecuting officer; and it is your duty
to present all offenders to the court by in
dictment.
You should hear no other evidence
than that produced by the prosecution
and it will be improper and unlawful for
you to examine witnesses for the defense.
DILIGENTLY INQUIRE.
Your oath requires that you will dill
gently inquire and true presentment
make The expression diligently in
quire" means that you will diligently in
quire into the circumstances of each accu-
s%ation, the probability of the witnesses
who support it and from the whole will
ascertain whether the person accused
should be indicted and put upon trial; for
otherwise the defendant should not be
called upon to make a public defense.
FAIR PLAY.
The motives of witnesses and others
connected with matters coming before you
should be reasonably considered, for it is
intended that the grand Jury shall be a
restraint upon the malice Of private pros
e%cutors, as well as upon the violence of
any ill-timed popular excitement.
LEGISLATIVE BRIBERY.
1t has been called to my attention that
charges have been publicly made OF al
legged bribery and corruption In connection
with matters pending in the last legisla-
tive assembly. The legislature being the
law making body of the territory which
eDacts the rules affecting the liberty,
property and rights OF citizens. it follows
that any such charge hat | have Just
named Is indeed a very grave one and de
serves your prompt and careful inYestiga-
ton. Should you find any such accusa-
ton to be sustained by the evidence which
may be presented to you, it is your duty
to unhesitatingly return an Indictment
against the offender.
RANGE DEPREDAFfoNs.
1t is reported that larceny and other
o~ffenses against the live stock interests are
not uncommon in this county. 1t must
be remembered that o~ffenses of this
character are quite as Questionable in the
eyes of the law as are like ~offenses when
committed against other classes Of prop
erty. Persons owning and paying taxes
upon live stock are entitled to the same,
but 10 less and no greater protection by
the law and the courts as are persons own.
ing and paying taxes upon other classes
of property. 1t is your duty to diligently
inquire into ~offenses of this character and
to as unhesitatingly return indictments fol
such ~offenses in the instance of othel
crimes.
NO DISTINCTIONS.
In your investigations you will make nc
distinctions between persons occupying
different positions in society. The law is
intended to operate alike upon all classes
of people without regard to their inan'
cial or social standing in the community.
DUAL CAPACITY.
You will act in a dual capacity. that i.
as a grand jury on the part Of the terri
ritory. investigating only such offenses
against the territorial laws as have beer
committed in the county of Laramie; anc
you will also act as a grand jury on the
part of the United States in investigating
all violations Of the laws of the United
States committed within the first iudicia
district Of this territory.
THE JAIL.
Before adiourning it is your duty L
make a personal inspection of the county
Jail. to ascertain as to the suficiency o
the same for the safe keeping of prison
ers, their accommodations and health anc