The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-10
rsEU. s. COURTS.
Judge Emory Speer's Charge to the
Grand Jury.

Judge Emory Speer's Charge to the
Grand Jury.
The United States courts were reconvened
yesterday by Judge Speer. The grand jury
was sworn and Horace A. Crane was made
foreman. The jurors are: Horace A.
Crane, w. W. Dowell, J. B. Lassiter, Will
ian White, Milton G. Hogan, Jordan Davis.
Hiram Tucker, Fletcher A. Exley. Noah
Altman, Francis II. Alexander, E. F. Cum
ningham, II. B. Wilson, Stephen B. Mills,
Richard S. Anderson. J. ". Patterson,
John Lasssn. John E. Bowling, John Kuox,
w. w. Williamson.
JUDGE sPEER's CHARGE.
Judge Speer, in his charge to the jury,
said:
think may say to you, gentlemen, with
entire truthfulness, that, while the court does
not doubt that you will reach it, you have a very
elevated standard in excellence. in the perform
ance of yonr duty, exhibited in the conduct of
proceeding Jurors and grand jurors in this
court. In the knowledge of the presiding judge,
now having been connected with the admins
tration of the law in these courts for nearly six
years, in all this time there has been no Instance
where person escaped justice for a violation
OF the federal law, on account of the failure of
the grand jury in the performance OF their duty
In al that time i have the impression that
in but one case has q party indicted for crime
failed to receive justice because the jury did
not come fully up to the performance OF the
great duty devolYiDg upon them, and in that
matter the court may be wrong and the jury
may be right. speak merely of the impress
sion that exists on the mind of the court.
That is remarkable record, indeed, for any
court, and il speaks volumes for the laW-en-
forcing character OF our people IL is a sure
guarantee to the people of all sections of our
country, that they may come among US ahso-
ItE at al n a1ffN - at,s.
lives and property. 1t speaks eloQuently for
the communities which you represent 1t Is q
sure harbinger OF prosperity and happiness of
our country, and, as | said, that Is high
standard of excellence for Jurors TO have at
| taned
There is no graver duty upon this country at
this time than strenuous enforcement OF the
law. We have advantages in climate resources
in the rapid development of our country. In
| fact, the attention OF snterprising and saga
cious men everywhere Is being attracted by the
untouched resources Of this country. We have
the strongest reasons 70 believe that our future
will be largely more prosperous than has
| been the past. Our interests are diversified.
we have been poor people, as q people strictly
agricultural and pastoral always are
we viii eventually become rich people, but
if we are to anticipate the speedy development
| OF our country, aud the improvement Of our
| own condition, everybody must understand
that ours is q land of law and order, and that
all crimes against the laws will be rigidly in =
vestigated, and when known to exist will be
sternly punished
You doubtless know of communities where
the laws are not enforced, and you have seen
how every interest suffers therefrom. You are
familiar with communities whera the laws are
habitualy enforced, and you have seen how in
the existence OF every social virtue in the pres
ence OF everything which tends TO make home
happy, and families prosperous, their interest is
subserved. The truth is, gentlemen that crime,
| when condoned, is far more injurious to the
community where it exists, than to the individ-
M fac h.Yf sa
| furious TO BOTH A convincing illustration of
this may be anywhere found In the case of a
man, who, by the indifference OF bis neighbor,
If permtif,sidi o,, to ;sarry on the business
| from his homo at night, and
disregards his obligations to his family. Know
| ing himself to DO a law-breaker, aware that at
any moment be may be visited by the officers
of the law, his mind turns to thoughts of VIC
| lent resistance. He arms himself. The chances
are he will become a drunkard. He not only
becomes a druEkard himself, but will dispose Of
| the products of his still utterly regardless of
| the interests OF the community. Drunkenness,
| rioting and ARRAYS result. Labor Is rendered
worthless, a peaceful neighborhood has its
peace destroyed, and the distillery itself be-
| comes a scene Of crime and violence which is
| reproach to the state and blot upon tbs face
| VI nature. This illustration is as applicable TO
other crimes which you can as little afford to
| ignore.
| II is Just as important that you punish post
| office thief or one who counterfeits the COIN or
| who attempts 10 cheat the government out OF
| taxes due from the citizen to the general gov
| eminent or who burglarizes q postoffice OF
| who is guilty OF any other offense against the
United States, as 1t is to punish other criminals
for crimes against the law Of the state This
concerns you all as individuals not only, but the
welfare Of each one of us. This court has nc
| interest which you don't have as Georgians
Your interest, then, as jurors and as citizens, il
the interest Of the general government. They
are inseparable.
l feel gentlemen, that need not say any.
thing more than have already said with refer
| ence to the Importance of enforcing the fed
eral law; and, believe, you will approach the
Investigations of your duties with a full com
| prehensien of the Importance of them.
You may make your own terms from day tc
day, of course not adjourning for the term, oil
| for any considerable number of DAYS, without
consulting the court. The process Of court is al
your hand to obtain tho presence Of any wit
ness. or the production before you of any evi
dence which you may need. The court and it
officers will do all in their power to contribute
| to your comfort The district attorney ma,
advise you as to all matters Of law. The cour
trusts you will have brief and valuable term
of service. You may now retire and proceed
| with your duties.