The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1891-11-10
PETTIS CRIMINAL COURT
Opened This Aorning-Large and
Interesting Docket Judge
Rylands Instructions.
Several Cases Disposed of-Dr.
Fesler Wants q Severance and
Change of Venue-The
Higgins Case.


this morning. The docket is larg
one, and several cases OF special i'm
portance will be tried.
Judge Ryland's instructions to tn
grand jury were quite voluminous
He said that he took it as a goo,
omen that there were no absences
and was glad to see that health prevail
among the people and that thejurymer
We're all on hand, showing a DISPOSE.
ton to discharge the duties assigned
to them.
We are law makers and lsw-en
forcers, said the judge, and law,
properly carried out, affords us liberty,
protection and the pursuit of happi-
ness.
The function of the grand jury is to
find where and when felonies have
been committed and only these can be
prosecuted under Indictment. Misde.
meanor can be prosecuted without the
form of indictment.
1t is not the purpose of the law to
harass the citizen, and only he who
breaks the law may find room to
complain of its enforcement. In all
cases it should be impartially en-
forced, without fear, favor or affection
to influence it.
There is no reason why any citizen
should take the law in his own hand.
In such instances the results are
almost always evil. If you would
prevent mob law, see that the
statutes are enforced against all men
alike.
See that no guilty man escapes,
and also have a care that no innocent
man is prosecuted. The grand jury,
In no case, is to try anyone, but sim.
ply to investigate and find an indict-
ment accordingly when it is satisfied |
from the evidence of the existence oil
guilt.
1t is a mournful fact, continued
the judge, that some persons are
quick to remember and prompt 10
testify before a grand jury, but slow
to give evidence in court, but the
fault is exceptionable.
This is the season when betting on
elections is common. Men love to
gamble. Especially should these
election betters be looked after. II
Rigid instructions were given the
jury BY Judge Ryland that they in 4,
vestigate all cases of liquor dealers s
selling whiskey on Sunday or to I
minors. The proprietor whose clerk, !
even, is guilty of these oHenses, is
guilty before the law. However, it Ii
is no more an infraction of the law to q
sell whIskey on Sunday than it is to
sell pair of shoes on Sunday. r
You are t, look diligently into @
crime. If you would have good so
ciety, you must do your duty faith
fully, rigidly, dispasionately swiftly. i
Judge Ryland also charged the jury s
to look carefully after the manner Of
property assessments, licenses, the 8
of the county Jail and poor
houses and other public buildings. p
The charge occupied over an hour +
in its delivery and thoroughly covered
every point of ground over which,
this jury might have Jurisdiction.
State VS. Chas. E. Musick. Dis .;
missed by state.
State vs. VIM. Musick, judgment of : ;,
J. p, affirmed IS against defendant e e
and his sureties.
State VS. F. B. Fesler, defendant ap. =
plies for severance; also files motion q :.
and affidavit for change of venue from {
Pettis county.
State vs. Dick Love released under
nsolvent act.
State VS. Kirtley; defendant files =,
notion to quash Indictment. ~ ~
City VS. jackson; j H Halstead, n
recorder, files transcript and all origi- ~
nal papers case docketed. "
Houstonia vs. Jas NJ Jones; defen- o.
liant files motion to dismiss. "A
The State VS.. John P. Higgins, "
;harged with killing T. B. Price was OF
allied by Judge Ryland. W
Mr.. jackson one Of the attorneys u'
or the defendant said it had been the GO
understanding among them that the =; -
curt would hold a special term to y. ~
lear the case. u
The court dissented to this and -
Irged that they proceed at once.
Mr.. I,amm, for the defense, said it Al
7ould work hardship upon their
lient as no preparation had been
made and attorneys had not even con- CT
ulted in the case. ri,
Prosecuting Attorney Longan said th
hat it had been his understanding an
hat the case would be heard at q II
pecial term and he was not ready. gi'
The court was somewhat out of I'M
aorts ovor tho eifuofion opd fold tho 90,