Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-09-22


ing of which, IL, at least, of your mum ber
must agree.
'You should not make your
selves the mere conduit OF aecusa-
tion by putting persons in jeopardy
on evidence 50 slight as to leave Il reason-
able doubt OF guilt; nor on the other hand
should you Illustrate the ends Of justice by
ignoring bills that are fully sustained by
competent evidence"
As to the subject matter and extent
of your inquiry.
/. You have jurisdiction OF all offences
committed within the county that are not
within the exclusive jurisdiction of justices
of the peace. But as a general rule it is
better that you leave to tho local magistrates
the prosecution Of offences that are within
their jurisdiction TO try aud finally deter
mine. except offences against the statute
concerning the tradic in Intoxicating liquor,
OF which justices have concurrent iurisdic-
tion with the County Court.
But you may indct for many Of these
minor offences, for as to most Of them you
have concurrent jurisdiction; and you will
indict for them if you think that justice re-
quircs it, as it would, for instance, if you
should think that from local influence, pre-
judce, or other cause person has gone
cuted.
2 You may as a general rule think it
unnecessary to extend your inquiries back
to the last annual session of the grand jury,
as you may well assume that your immedi
ate predecessor discharged its whole duty.
But you are not precluded from extending
your inquiries back to any time within the
porol of the statute OF limitations; and
you viii do so if necessary, as, for instance,
il would be il the evidence of the crime has
come to hight since the last session OF the
grand jury.
). There are certain things that the
statute specially provides that you shall in
quire into.
u You are to examine and present to the
court the condition of the county jail; and
if found to he insufficient for the safe aud
comfortable keeping of prisoners, you will
report that fact, end what repairs are
needed.
b. You are especially required to inquire
into and present all violations of the statute
concerning the traffic in Intoxicating liquor
not otherwise presented.
C. You are to inquire how towns in this
county have managed and disposed of the
United States deposit money and the annual
interest thereof; and if a town has not com
piled with the provisions OF ch. II, No. 9,
of the laws of 1855, in respect thereof, you
will indict therefor, provided netico Of sucn
Noncompliance, signed by some person liv
ing in the State, has been delivered to one Of
the selectmen of the town at least ID days
before this term OF court, in default of
which notice you cannot nIict.
d. You are also to inquire whether towns
in this county have appropriated and ex-
pended the required sum for the support OF
schools as provided in said chapter; and iu
case OF neglect you will present your indict-
ment therefor.
g. You are also 20 inquire whether th-
seectmen have neglected TO keep in repair
the feace around any pubic Dura, groun d
in their town. If you find such ne lect you
may iuiict therefor, and the iiae, If one is
| imposed, will be expended in repairing the
fence around such burial ground under the
direction o: u commissioner appointed by
the court for that purpose.
f. When u town, liable to keep in repair
highway or a bridge, does not do 1t. 1t
may be IN ilcCei for the neglect and fined
ut the discretion OF the court whether any
! special damage has been sustained or not;
! aud the line so assessed will be expended in
repairing the highway or bridge, under the
| direction Of a commissioner appointed by
/ the court. But n town. cannot be indicted
in this behalf unless notice, bounding the
highway complained Of and describing in
general terms its defects signed by some
| person living in the State has been deliver
ed to one of the seleCtmen at least - days
| before this term of court.
\ GU should not allow private persons to
| approach you improperly in respect of any
matter that is before you or that is likely &c
come before you. And for any such per
son to do so would be mislemeanor and a
/ contempt OF court, watch would bo ale-
| quately punished on being known; aud it
/ would be your duty to make it known to
the court
a. c, Robinson was appointed foreman
! The jurors then retired soon after which
they adjourned till O'Clock.
The petit jury was called and sworn, there
being three-John L. Fox, a. l.. Walker
and II. \. Nlcaos-not answering. Judge
! Rowel instructed them, during which be
said, "a proper understanding and feeling
OF the oath will be an infaliible guide for
| you
TIRE FETIT JURORS.