New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-19
THE TRENTON GRAND JURY.

Recent occurrences have brought much dis
credit upcn our petit jury system Or perhaps
we should say. upon the manner in which that
system is administered. More than one impor-
tant trial has proved to be a farce, or worse,
simply because Of the rubbish with which the
iury-box was filled. 1t Is not too much to say
that many serious minded jurists. as well as
multitudes Of laymen, are beginning to question
the further utility of the system: at least are
thinking that to save II from becoming cause
Of actual injustice, it must be radically reformed
At the same time the Grand Jury system is gain
ing esteem and Importance. 1t no longer serves
merely to indict common criminals and send them
to trial 1t has become the means by which bad
government Is checked, and misdeeds in high
official places are exposed and punished. The
people look to 1t as one Of the most valuable re-
straining and purifying factors in all our scheme
of government More than once or twice in the
last few years it has rendered this community
ncalcuable services. At lie present time 1t Is
undertaking a work of vast importance in the
neighboring State across the river.
The Grand Jury Of Mercer County is, OF course,
merely a county affair. But since Mercer County
contains the State Capital, and has been the
scene Of countless crimes against the whole State
II rises for the time practically TO the rank OF
State institution. During the last week II has
been busy with the ordinary work Of Grand
Jury. But this week, or ut latest next. 1t Will
take up a different line. The revelations Of the
Voorhees, Investigating Committee will be con-
sidered, and the jury may do little investigat-
Ing on its own account The question OF the
legal culpablity Of the exposed members OF the
State House Ring will come up, and the chances
are that some pretty big names will be put on tie
Indictment roll We cannot see how there can
be any other result. Not only ~ .he testimony
Of others but out Of thc.. own mouths, present
and past ofHce-holGtrs have been convicted OF
gross dishonesty. There Is scarcely conceiv-
able form vi official rascaiy that has not been
bronsht TO light Bogus contracts. false vouch-
ELS. brides, the sale Of pardons. paying private
bills with public money, the Use of public FUNDS
In personal spcculations- have run through
the whole Newgate Calendar. If these mis-
creants cannot be brought TO book we may as
well say goodby to Jersey justice"
There Is the more need that this Grand Jury
should 90 into these matters unsparingly, be-
cause, in spite Of all that has been done in the
last year. 1t Is evident that the snake OF Demo
cratic devilry over there Is merely scotched, not
killed Indeed, 1t Is ut this moment reviving aud
menacing the State with all its 0ldtime venom
There Is in all Ncw-Jersey history no more scan
dalous episode than the pardoning Of the Gut
tenburg Big Four by the eminently respectable
Governor George T. Weris. There never was
| more insolent defiance Of the public will. or
more fragrant betrayal Of justice. The incident
shows how literally "hell-bent' the whole Ring
| and Gang are, and how necessary 1t Is to fight
| them to the bitter end. The Grand Jury Is COM
posed Of the best citizens Of Mercer County. In
GLIDING men Of National reputation as leaders Of
| thought and upholders Of good government. 1t
should have the earnest sympathy, and, in every
possible respect, the cooperation Of all good cit-
zens. so that the result Of its labors may be the
cleansing and redemption Of that understanding
State.