The record-union., 1891-10-20
MUST GRIND NO AXES.
The Grand Jury Given Some Points
by Judge CatIin.
He Dissects this Attorney-General's
Observation-Disclosures In 1t that
Should be Ignored.

AAO oidiid % III h01u IT'S hISt ISS u1di
meeting yesterday at the Courthouse.
During the forenoon session little was
done outside of mapping out their plans
for inquiring into the workings of the
various county offices, and investigating
matters that might come before the body
Word was received during the session,
however, that Judge Catlin desired to adj
dress the Grand Jury at 1:30 o'clock on
an important matter, and he requested
that they assemble in his courtroom az
that time.
THE ATTORNEY GENERALS DOCUMENT.
The jurors We're on hand promptly.
Nobody knew what Judge Catlin wanted
with them, and it was with much interest
that his remarks We're listened to.
The Judges address was decidedly
pointed, and was in the nature of sur
prise to many.
81 have called you," said he, ''to re-
ceive instructions in relation to the COM
munication, under date of the 18th of this
month, addressed to you, the District
Attorney, and this court, by. the Attor
ney-General of the State. Copies OF this
communication, have as | am informed,
been delivered to each member Of the
Grand Jury. In brief, and i'll substance
~ - d CoiIlp pldlllI llldI Oh luG lftu Q;lN OF
March last, the Legislature, being then
in session, there was received at the State
Capitol the sum Of 81 500 in paper cur
rency, brought there from San Francisco
by some messenger unknown, i'll eleven
packages or envelopes, one containing
$1,000; one containing 81 900; aid nine
others each containing five hundred dol
lars; that said money was used at the
Capitol on that day for some purpose,
also unknown, but upon current rumor
believed by many to have been paid to
members of the Legislature for corrupt
purposes.
HART NOT SURE.
'The Attorney-G General does not vouch
for the truth OF these rumors," continued
Judge Catlin, but he declares that,
They are OF u serious nature, and the
charges are made so certain and definite
that it is the duty of the Grand Jury of
Sacramento County, now assembled to
investigate these matters thoroughly and
impartially.' The communication further
shows that the Legislature, by a concur
rent resolution adopted on the 18th of
March, appointed a joint committee to
investigate these charges, and thereafter
said committee. so far as it could within
the limited time remaining before the
close of the session. made the report OF
the 9th of March, which is set forth at
length in the communication of the At
torney-General, and TO which your atten-
ton is particularly invited.
PLACED IN HIS HANDS.
''On the 25th of March, the day of the
adjournment of the Legislature, the
Judiciary Committee of the Senate had
under consideration resolutions upon this
subject matter, one Of which proposed to
request the Attorney General to cause
the evidence and copy of the Joint COM
mlttee's report to be presented to the
Grand Jury of Sacramento County, with
the request that said Grand Jury make a
thorough examination into all the cir
cumstances connected with the case
1.-The committee, after such considera-
ton, adopted the following resolution:
''Resotued, That the whole subject matter of
the resolution and the committee report be
referred TO the AttOfney-General to take such
action in relation thereto as he may deem
proper, and that the Governor be requested
to turn over 10 the Attorney-(ieneral upOn
request, all his papers pertaining to said mat
ter III his possession, to enable the Attorney
General to take such action he may deem
advisable.
THE District Attorney will also CO.
operate with and aid you in all matters
pertaining to your duties in this regard.
1t is in persuance of these proceedings in
the Legislature, as we'll as from a sense
of public duty, that the Attorney
has taken this action. He earnestly de-
clares that the
INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE HAD,
That the people of the State demand it.
and that if the investigation is not made
by you, it viii have to be made at another
time by some other Grand Jury. You
may therefore expect his active assist
ance in furnishing the names and resi-
dences Of witnesses, in producing docu-
mentary evidence, together with all the
information at his command
while | have thus invited your at
tention to the communication of the
Attorney-General,a and advise you that it
is your duty TO investigate the matters
therein requested, and act upon them,
there are parts of the communication
which / wish had found no place therein,
and which | trust it is scarcely necessary
for me to ask you to wholly disregard /
refer To those parts which introduce the
supposed objects or desires Of political
parties, and certain alleged party con-
SideratiOnS as reasons for action on your
part. Unless other reasons than these,
sufficient in themselves, can be found, il
would be well to ignore the matter alto
gether. There are sound and sufficient
grounds for the investigation set forth by
the Attorney-General, independent of
these party considerations, and the latter
should not receive from you any atten-
ton whatever.
'You are known to this Court aud to
the people only as legally qualified and
sworn officers OF the law, with respon-
sibility resting personally upon each
member to faithfully discharge the duties
of the office. Such duties cannot be faith
fully performed unless your minds are
Kept wholly free from the bias of politi-
cal preference, and free from all party
motives and purposes"
WILL BE CALLED UPON.
When Judge Catlin concluded his re-
marks, he directed that copy of them be
given 10 Foreman Stevens, and then ex-
cused the Jurors.
The nineteen investigators filed out of
the room and Immediately went into
session III their own quarters. District
Attorney Ryan accompanied them. Mr..
Ryan assured the Grand Jury that his
time would be theirs whenever needed,
and that there need be no diffidence about
approaching him. He knew they would
be thorough in all of their Investigations,
as he was confident of their ability.
Mr.. Ryan was received courteously,
and was informed that the Grand Jury
would work in harmony with his office.
The jurors held an executive session
after Mr.. Ryan departed. 1t is under
stood that the county offices and hospital
will be inspected first-the hospital prob
ably to-day-after which the Attorney
Generals communication will be taken
up. The Attorney-tIeneral himself will
be the first person interviewed by the,
jurors on the legislative matters REFEREED
To in his communication.