St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-04

in the presence of lawless Tess as surely
multiplies yolatOrs of the law.
While 1t Is yu,.i uuty 20 present all
who have committed public offenscs
within the county. of which you have or
may receive knowledge, it is also your
duty to protect any unjuStly accused.
You are alike the sword and the shield
of the community. In the beautiful
and strong language Of your oath,
"You will present no person through
malice, hatred or ill-Wlfl, nor leave any
person unpresented through fear. favor
or affection or reward or the promise or
hope thereof; but you will present
things truly as they come to your
knowledge, TO the best of your under
standing, according to the laws of this
state"
The law says: "The grand jury has
power, and it is its duty, to inquire into
all public offenses committed or triable
in the county, and to present them to
the court, either by preSentment or in
dictment." That does not mean that
you, in your discretion, may by your
action or non-action enforce some laws
and disregard others; but that you
should enforce all the laws impartiallyl
and fearlessly.
BY the statute the judges are required
in every county to remind the grand
jury that selling or furnishing intoXi-
eating liquor to Indians is a felony. But
as no Indians reside in this county. this
law seems hardly applicable. However,
| remind you of it, and it reminds ME
of another law that is applicable to this
county, and the strict enforcement of
which has become as lmperatively nee
eSSary here as is the law forbddng the
sale OF liquors to indians in some other
counties. | refer to the law which for
bids the giving, selling or furnishing
in any manner Intoxicating liquors
to minors. While this city and
county is to be congratulate
ed upon the general good order and law
abiding disposition of our people, and
upon the efficiency of the sheri fl and his
officers. and of the police depar tment of
the city, yet tits made painfully appar-
ent to the judges in the administration
of the criminal branch of this court,
that young men. very young men and
boys, are furnishing the criminal
classes.
On the 14th day of March. 1892. the
grand jury, which closed its lahors that
day, in its written report used the fol-
lowing language to this court, and re-
peat it TO you in order to emphasize
what | said in reply to them then, ana
what say to you now. The grand jury
said:
I'm conclusion, we call particular atten-
ton TO the important fact that the bulk of
criminal business brought TO the attention OF
this grand jury in the matter OF crimes COM
mitted, young men under age appear to be
largely III the majority These young men
are dangerous element. AS rule they are
more daring and reckless than criminals of
maturer years, and consequently moe to be
feared In the opinion of this grand jury
they are deserving or no sympathy. Many
crimes committed by these youthful despera-
does are directly attributable to intoXicants
sold to them contrary TO law, by saloonkeep-
ers And the law prohibiting the sale of
liquor to minors ought TO be strictly en-
forced"
said to that grand jury, as [ say to
you, that would be better pleased had
they indicted some Of those offending
saloonkeepers rather than tell the court
OF them. 1t is right TO punish these
young criminals, but is more to the pur-
pose TO sJop the making OF them. The
man who for money will make a loafer,
rascal and esperado-these are the
steps Of gradation-of boy, by fur
niShing him liquors and a loa6ng place,
is worse and far more dangerous to the
community than the criminal he has
made.
AS | have said, our experience is that
every word of the report is true as to
the marked increase i'll the number of
youthful offenders. And while | do not
believe il is by any means attributable,
even in greater part, to the saloons, yet
| am satisfied much Of it is. The mu-
nicipal authorities should place under
the StricteSt surveillance these places
where liquors are kept for sale, and
where very young men and boys are
permitted, or, what is worse, encouraged,
to frequent and lounge about, if there
be any such in the city. And your in
YeStigatlon Of this subject cannot be too
thorough and complete.
Could it be clearly understood that
the grand jurieS would be fearless and
tireless in roofing out such evils Of any
EXIST, and that the public authorities of
both the city and county would c0-ope-
rate to the extent of fOrfeiting the
licenses. or refusal to renew licenses to
such persons and places, this community
would feel very soon healthful change,
In this connection | call your atten-
ton to the keeping of dis0rderly houses
wine rooms and anneXeS to drinking
places, dance houses. and the like,
where leWd and vicious people of both
sexes assemble for immoral purposes.
Look after them if there be any such.
pNuIIliss iiOuoCf>, II HIyi VIII etioO tib
inquiry. And | need not say 10 business
men how important is this subject.
While as yet, unfortunately, the wisdom
and conscience of the legislature has
not been aroused to the propriety of for
bidding by statute pool rooms and pool
selling, SO called. yet | advise you that
the supreme court has said that the
keepers of such places are indictable
flor maintaining a common nuisance"
You will notice the grand jury is
given access to every public office and
to a full examination Of all public rec
ordS. Now, in making your visits to
and examination Of public offices, do
not let it be formal or perfunctory. You
go there upon duty. Let your eXamin-
alton be as searching as though made in
your private business, your own count
ing houses. Not that you may find
something wrong in any office, but be-
cause careful and busineSSlike inSpec-
tions, regularly and Systematically
made, may often p reyent great evils.
Look into the expense rolls OF the
county. This is the beginning of the
new year. and if anything has run at
loose ends now is the time to tighten up
the reins. AS business men and as tax
payers, as the highest representative
body of the county. charged with such
supervisory powers, you owe it to your
selves and your people to be careful,
prudent and thorough IN all these
things. In asWord. gentlemen, let this
be model business grand jury.