The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1889-10-05
District Court.

In addition to the cases mention
ed last week, the following have
been disposed of
J.F. Shaw, Jr., VS.. H. r. Walters, judg-
ment decreeing partition OF land.
White wife, vs.. Kennedy White, judg-
ment for plaintiff decreeing absolute di-
vorce.
Mrs. G. E. p. Calhoun vs.. ]. Kemp, Jr.,
sheriff, it al, Judgment for plaintiff sus-
tanning injunction.
Starns Heirs Va. Heirs of A. G. Lewis, |
judgment for defendants.
In the case Of the State vs.. Dave and |
Ralph Smith, the jury at the time OF go
ing TO press have been out twenty hours
without coming to q verdict
The young man who wounded young
Guynes was convicted Of simple assault.
John Jones, two cases, assault and at
tempt to kill, and concealed weapons,
acquitted in first and convicted In latter,
gets Is days in Jail and costs.
In response to the request OF the
citizens committee, in his charge to
the grand jury last week, upon the
violations of the prohibition and
Sunday law, Judge Blackman made
| it a point to exceed his usually ex-
plicit charge on this line, and es-
pecially and emphatically instruct
ed them of their duty to honestly
and fairly investigate and report
such violations. Thursday after
noon the grand jury finished their
labors, and upon coming into open
court Foreman A. G. Hargis re-
ported that, Notwithstanding ample
and full evidence had been brought
before them to establish violations
of the liquor and Sunday laws, he
could not prevail upon a sufficient
number of grand jurors to side
with him and find true bills. His
honor Judge Blackman thereupon
proceeded to lecture the guilty ju-
rors with the following caustic and
well-merited rebuke:
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury
When you were impaneled on
the first day of this term of the
court, you took solemn oath to
; diligently inquire into, and due
presentment make of all violations
of the criminal law that was brought
to your knowledge or of which you
had reliable information. 1t is
possible, but exceedingly improba-
, bic, gentlemen, that the illegal
} traffic and sale of spirituous liquors
has escaped your observation and
, knowledge. That this law prohibit
! ing the sale of liquor without Ii
3 cense has been fagrantly violated
every day since this term of the
court, is apparent to the most casual
observer, for there have been more
n intoxicated men in the town Of
y Colfax within the last twelve days
: than was ever witnessed by me
+ and / have been, as you know, YOU
: presiding judge for over twelve
n years. How and for what reason
y you as grand jurors have signal.
: failed to investigate and find GU
= the parties selling liquor is un
. known to the court, but that yo'
,. have signally failed to do your dut.
II under the charge of the court, Their
r. is not in my opinion a shadow o
u q doubt. / know that the law re
quires twelve of you to consent +
a presentment, therefore | have m
= means of officially sscertaininl
1t what particular members OF you
le body deserve this censure of tn
3 court. Ordinarily the criminal lay
a is faithfully and honestly executes
= in your parish, but the law prohib
\ ting the sale of Intoxicating Ii
At quors and Withholding license froI
IS the public to engage in this traff
10 is lamentable failure, and is treat
ID ed with a contemptuous indiffel
he ence that speaks badly for tn
ut moral sentiment of your communl
or ty. It is the experience of all &
g. cieties that the law witnholdin
g license for the sale of intoxicatin
is liquors does not in reality prohib
al the sale, and further demonstrate
Sc the fact that no law can be rigid
I'd enforced that does not meet tt
to appreciation of a large majority
u the people and is sustained by
u healthy public moral sentimen
ed After an experience Of several yea
We in your sister parish of Rapide
the police jury, finding prohibitie
On failure, submitted the questie
"a .o..,, 70 4ba ;ncorv,orafad town