San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1891-11-12
THE GRAND JURY SUSTAINED
A Scene I'm Court-Mayor CaIiaghan
Makes a Bad Break.

Makes Bau BREAK.
Yesterday the grand jury came into
court and presented to Judge Noonan d
sworn statement relating the facts con-
necled with the seizure and retention of
certain record books belonging to the
CITY. but in the hands of the grand jury,
and asking that the sheriff be held in con-
tempt for refusing to give up these books.
Sheriff Mccall had seized the books IN
der a writ of SeQueStratiUn issued by
Judge of the 45th district.
Judge John o. Green represented Sher-
| if Mccall and related what he under
stood to be the situation.
Judge PaSchal represented the grand
| jury and in the course OF his remarks
| called attention of the judge to the
| fact that Paul PrGtzee had evidently VIC
lated his oath il divulging the pro-
ceedirgS of the grand jury: be also drew
attention of the judge to the fac that 1t
had come to a pretty pass when the grand
iurv was intprferred with whom pursuing
their sworn duty, by public officials.
Judge NoOnan ordered the sheriff to
produce the books. aud they were prompt
ly put in charge of the court.
During this proceeding, Mayor CalIag-
han rushed into the court room, in very
excited manner and asked to be heard.
The Judge allowed him to speak. he be-
gan in a low mumbIing way allowing in
tervalS of seconds between each word, as
If to impress his wo DIS on the court, sort
of cty COZ I'll h Orang" but as he pro-
ceeded he got loud and yelled and pound
ed the clerks desk with his fist.
His speech Amounted to nothing but a
series Of reiteration of his willingness 10
submit the city record to fair examin-
alton, but his unwllingneSs to have the
grand jury do it, that he was responsible
for the city and he would not trust his
books in the hands OF the grand jury.
That he was not afraid OF inveStigat ton.
but he didn't like to have suspicion ca t
on his character. He was willing to have
the Judge appoint committee OF three
gentlemen 70 examine the records, and
he named Mr. NewcOmb District Clerk
Lewis and Judge PaSchal; this was in
tended AS thrust at these gentlemen.
| In act the mayor of the good city OF San
Antonio made pitiable Sprctac'" "f w
| self: he fOamed and StOrmPd and wanted to
| act the bold and heroic part of defying the
| court: but the judgr ""IC'u ,,",, :,
until he subsidized then in mild but firm
| manner informed the mayor that he va
| badly off his base: that public Officers
| were public servants and public records
| public property and the grand jury had a
| right to the unrestricted examination o.
these records and he hoped they would dc
their duty.
The MAYORS escapade was humilia'ins
to every good citizen: he was aS>uminG
that he had been attacked, anC
took this occasion TO insult worth!
body of citizens who had swOrr
to do their duty Irrespective Of per
son or position. The grand jury is thus
exposed 10 The cOmmu ity as inveStigat
ing city affairs, and II there is any rascal
Ity the rascalS have a chance to put thei
heads together, their houses in order, ant
combine to thwart the ends OF fair inveS
tigation. Mayor CaIlaghan'S prOpe
course should have been wNel
he heard of the disclosure, to hav
reported the culprit TO the grand jur,
himself and rendered his aid to recover
any fraud, rasrallity. or irreguIarity Il
the city government. instead OF ASSUMING
an attitude of resistance to such inveSti
CATION. The people may not bpliev
Mayor Callaghan guilty, himself, bu
they are bound to conclude that he ha
| attempted to shield others.
1t may be that this g and jury will b
thwarted in their work, by this public eX
plosion, but the people have full conf
; dence in their standing and fidelity
their duty; If foiled it will be due to
, conspiracy to suppress the truth.