The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-04-02
WILL INVESTIGATE 1T.
The Grand Jury Instructed to Look Int
Certain Affairs.

@hc oNauu Jury AustEhCtea W 6oo6 @.pe
Certain Affairs.
BUTTE, April 1.-Judge Speer this morn
ing impaneled q grand jury for the April
term of court and instructed them TO in
vestigate the great dynamite explosion
and fix the responsibility for the death of
the 50 men who lost their lives through
the violation of law by some one. The
jury is composed of A. w. Barnard,
George Tong, w. A. Ralston, George w.
Andrews, Denis Driscoll. William Beck
and j. II. Carder. The judge appointed
Mr.. Barnard as foreman.
In delivering his charge to the jury
Judge Speer said IL would be their duty to
keep secret their Investigations. 1T is
your duty to investigate all county in
stitutions," he said, "and the work of the
county officers and the conduct of their
offices. There may be some things that
have been overlooked by the county at
torney and has not been called to the
notice of the court and 1t is your duty to
investigate such matters.
II deem it my duty to call to your atten-
ton to the fact that there has apparently
been a violation of law in this community
by which many lives we're lost and 1 feel
that you should investigate it. While the
persons interested in 1t may be personal
"a youto yOdt ouy
be above favor for personal friendship.
Your first duty is to your state. Some one
has been guilty of violation of law by
storing large quantities of explosives
within the city limits. The dreadful re-
suits of it have long been known to you
all. The county attorney has not cared
to take the responsibility of filing an in
formation and 1t becomes your duty to
say whether or not an indictable crime
hnz ham nnpittad IN find that
there has 1t will probably come under the
statute defining criminal negligence. The
agents or parties responsible may be SO
held Notwithstanding that they are the
agents of corporation. l simply call
this matter TO your attention because i
deem it my duty to do so, and do not say
that you shall find an indictment or re-
| frain from doing so. II remains for you to
say what shall be done. The explosion
was certainly n most unfortunate affair,
but somebody was responsible for it. You
are allowed to hear testimony for the de-
Tense, but / apprehend that you will have
performed your duty when you have fixed
the liability, if any one is liable. You are
not called on to try the case, and you are
not obliged TO go into an investigation
lasting weeks, but you are simply to sat-
| isfy yourself as to where the responsible
ity rests, If there is any. There is GER
| tainly responsibility somewhere.
ut will also be proper for you to inves-
tigate the county offices and see If the
duties of the officers are properly per-
formed. 1t is often the case that more
diligence is observed in the performance
of duties while the grand jury is in session.
l hope that you will find no dereliction.
but if you do it will be your duty to look
into it and act accordingly. 1t is the only
means the people have OF finding out
what the public servants are doing"
The other men drawn for the grand
jury, and who were excused, were 5. V.
Kemper, j. G.. Maddux, Phil Gamer, Lou
Gunderson, w. j. Alexander, Joseph An
near and Fayette Harrington. Christian
Jackey had been summoned, but he left
for Portland and an attachment was
issued for him and when he returns he
will have to answer a charge of contempt
of court