Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-05-26

tNiEittNSIiN& rACIS.
The grand Jury OF the Forty-eighth
district court adjourned yesterday, hav-
ing found 1871 true bills.
In response 10 Judge Grcenes recon-
mendations in his chage that the grand
jury should make inquiry into certain
matters relating to tho conduct OF
affairs In Tarrant county, the follow
ing report was made;
SO far as the police are concerned
In these matters we md that they do
not attempt to interfere with gamb-
ling, neither do they interfere with
persons selling liquor on Sunday unless
the ofens1 comes under their personal
observation, and We find that the pa
trolmen arc instructed to keep out OF
saloons unless called there In the dis
/ charge of duty, and they do not con-
slider 1t their duty to 20 In In order to
ascertain whether the law is being
| violated or not. Hence they do not
see these things going on.
As to prostitutes, II seems that they
are expected to come up periodically
and contribute TO the finances OF the
| city.
The sheriff ana deputies do not con-
/ slider II their business to interfere with
gamblers unless they have a warrant
| for their arrest. Hence they do not
/ go into the gambling houses at all eN-
| cept when they have such warrant.
| Neither has II been their custom to try
| to bring to Justice al yiolators OF tile
law concerning the sale OF liquor on
/ sunday.
Why It is that these city and county
officers are little blind to the faults
/ OF their constituents your honor IA ms
well prepared to Judge as we are.
Some three or four weeks ago the
saloon keepers OF this city entered into
| an agreement to keep their saloons
| closed ON sunday ana sell nothing on
that day. So far as we can learn they
have mostly kept the agreement, but
not all.
one reason why gambling and these
other evils are not broken up. It seems
to us, IL the fact that vast number of
| cases brought against such Offenders
| In tho county court are never tried
For instance, when there are "A number
| OF cases. sometimes a large number
against one person, that person VIII
| arrange with the county attorney 10
plead guilty in one or more cases and
| have the rest OF the cases either DIS
! missed or Judgment OF not EulltS
entered by agreement.
This kind OF settlement enables
the unfortunate Spectator TO resume
business at the old stand.
Two reasons are given why these
cures are not tried. First, because
the county attorney could not hope
to convict In all. second because the
count Judge could not possibly ma
tia Try Thorn all. II there are
any ,uor reasons why these ihlngA
are thus they are not offered for the
confederation OF this grand jury, The
aforesaid reasons are doubtless good
to a certain extent, but II seems TO
us that more Of these cnsoa should be-
tried, else what good does II do for
the grand jury to md bilA of indict.
mcnt In this connection, we VIII
mention an Item OF interest furnished
US, viz: That In all cases VI gambling
whore conviction is had the punish
mcnt Ia imprisonment Ia the county
tnil. tho convict Ia Immediately par
doned by the governor OF Texas.
In the county court we ilnd there
have been serious Irregularities Fees
have been claimed ana allowed by the
commissioners which. In our opinion
should not have been claimed or al
lowed.
Another matter which to us Is wrong,
although, perhaps, not Illegal, n the
fact that deputy shcrlifs, although
drawing a regular salary from the
county, are at the same time reaping
a harvest In witness fees.
They are subpaenaed In great
many cases, sometimes offering their
services as witnesses, and although
right here IN the court house all Of
the time, and put TO no Inconvenience
by reason OF being witnesses, and FREE
quently not called upon at all to tcs-
tify In case sun, they claim their
attendance. sometimes amounting to
81 or more In one day, for one deputy.
We also lind that the practice pre-
walls In the county court TO dismiss
cases and agree upon vordicts OF not
guilty when the county attorney has
not filed written statement OF his
reasons for such disposition. as the
law directs. We recommend u more
careful scrutiny OF claims In the al
lowanco OF fees IN the county court.
In regard TO the wltnosa fee evil
previously spoken Of in this report we
believe that our city policemen and
constables are also claiming and coli
Letting fees amounting to large sums.
In regard to the item In your h0nor's
charge as TO why II In hard 70 get
justice in tho courts, we would say
that important witnesses are frequent
~ Induced TO leave for parts unknown.
or hide from the otiicern until after
the case ls disposed Of, ana we further
believe that TOO often witnesses have
not the proper regard for their oath.
yo have tried to remedy this evil by
bringing In several bilsl for perjury.
II seems to us that there Is too much
zeal on the part OF some officers In ar
resting and prosecuting men out OF
employment on a charge OF vngrancy,
getting a small fine assessed against
them, and big bill OF costs taxed up.
The poor fellow goes TO the county
road for two or three months. and the
county pays the fiddler.
A committee appointed out OF our
number TO inspect tho poor house and
poor farm report that they ind the
farm IN good shape. The twenty-mne
inmates, mostly forelgnera. are well
fed and cared for. and well pleased
with he superintendent and physician.
There are only three confined 70 their
beds. We have visited the county
fail, and lind 1t In good condition and