The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-10-03

uuRe John w. WOOuSi OF the musings
Court, to Investigate the recent riot,
whose names were published in THE
TINES several days ago, were sworn in
at 10 o'clock yesterday morning. Charles
Lunsford and Geo. L. Stevens were ex.
cused from duty. The jury is as fol-
lows: A. M. Nelson, foreman; John c.
Carr, G. R. Henderson, J. o. Hobbs, R.
u. Roswell, w. 1. Thomas, A. j. Davis
and C. c. Shockey. After Judge Woods
delivered the following charge to the
jury, the examination OF witnesses was
begun:
JUDGE WOODS CHARGE.
"You have been summoned, gentle
mon, as special grand jury to inquire
into and report upon such matters as
shall BIO sent before you by the COM
monwealth's attorney, and especially to
inquire into certain recent violations of
law in our city.
"You have been selected because you
have the confidence OF myself and the
community, as men of intelligence and
integrity, and who may be relied upon
to do your duties regardless of conse
quences.
"No grand jury in the history of the
city has been called upon to perform
such an important work as that which
lies before YOU The eyes of the whole
State and nation are upon you, and it is
hoped that you will acquit yourselves
like men, without fear, affection or
favor Your sole inquiry will be: Has
the law been violated, and if so, by
whom.
THAT the law has been violated goes
without saying. That a man to whom
the constitution OF tho land had guaran-
teed tho right Of trial by jury has been
mercilessiy hanged by very small
body OF devil inspired men, who have
seen fit to take the law into their own
hands, aud that his body was afterward
mutilated and burned in an inhuman
manner. must be admitted by all. That
he was q black mao cuts no figure in
the case. His relation to the Govern
u emit has been fixed by law, and his
citizenship moulded into the very con-
stitution of our country. He stands
forth as fully adopted citizen, and as
such is entitled to the protection OF that
law, which every legalized voter has
sworn to maintain and every good cit
izen will strive to uphold. Neither Is
1t question as to the guilt or innocence
OF the unfortunate victim, nor have you
anything to do with the enormity Of his
crime.
"Such, so.called, administering of JUS
tice has no place in our Virginia code of
laws, should have mono and must not be
tolerated. 1t does not attain its pro-
fessed object, that of terrorizing wrong
doors and thereby lessening crime.
sit Is whitening, blighting curse
where yer engaged in, and the time will
never come when the city of Roanoke
can wipe away the disgrace it has
heaped upon her. 1t finds its origin in
the breast of a lawless element, who, as
a rule, have neither property nor good
names to lose, and through this element
the whole city, and through the city the
State and nation is brought under re-
proach. 1t creates and fosters an utter
disregard for ell law, and If suffered to
go unrebuked. Misunderstanding COM
munism and peace. destroying anarchy
will follow in its wake, and leagues and
orders rise. frey appeals will be made
to passion and prejudice and chaos and
confusion reign supreme.
ITO quietly submit to such conduct Is
not only to pursue a course in opposi-
ton to our laws, but one against which
the very instincts of nature rebel; all
history warns, reason demonstrates and
Uu6 VOIC0 Vi GUQ lOrDlQS.
at is question of power pure and
simple. Shall the law put down the
element or the element override the
law? l cal, your attention further to
the fact that it is crime against law
for any person to engage in or by in
fammatory speeches or otherwise ncite
riot. 1t is also the duty of an officer
having prisoner in charge to use
every reasonable effort to protect him;
but to acquaint evil designed persons
as to his whereabouts, or to surrender
him without even show Of resistance,
is an offense punishable by law
"In order that may be per fectly fair,
deem it my duty to charge you further,
that 1t has been asserted that Roanoke
citizens have been shot down without
warrant of law and without sufficient
provocation. 1t will be your sworn
duty, therefore, to carefully and thor.
oughly investigate this phase of the
question, and II such assertions are
found to be we'll grounded, bring indict.
ments against all parties offending, be
they high or low, few or many.
while 1t is the duty of an officer Of
the law to protect his prisoner, at what
ever cost, still it should be done with as
little loss OF life as possible, In order to
secure the necessary protection.
"In conclusion, gentlemen, would
say, have tried briefly and in an
imperfect manner to call your attention
to such acts as the law condemns and it
is with you to say who shall be prose.
cuted therefor. 1t will be your duty to
ascertain as far as you can the real
parties who committed these offenses
and to prefer indictments against them,
and I'll undertake to say to the law
abiding people of the city, that in the
name of the commonwealth of Virginia,
cnoh nffaudapa oh 10 %.;od 81 49,.