The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-01-08
JUDGE HANCKEL'S COURT
The New Judge Takes Charge
of the Court.
MAKES A GOOD IMPRESSION.
First Session of the Criminal Court.
A Dignified and Strong Charge
to Grand Jury. They Will
Investigate the Social
Clubs.


the first session of his court yester-
day, and the machinery moved Off
as smoothly as if His Honor
had been on the bench the last
quarter of century. The new
Judge arrived just before IL o'clock.
There were already present goodly
number of the legal fraternity who
had assembled to do honor to the
occasion. He entered by the side
door and with perfect composure
assembled the bench. His first words
after carefully adjusting himself
in the big arm chair were, "Open
court, MIR. Sheriff."
The grand jury was next called,
with Capt. William e. Taylor MS
foreman. The jury being duly
sworn. Judge Hanckel delivered his
charge as follows. 1t is brief aud
covered only one point of speciui
interest at this time, that being in.
structions to inquire into The con.
duct OF the social clubs.
THE CHARGE.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of you, no
doubt, have heretofore served in
similar capacity as grand jurors, are
therefore more or less familiar with
the important duties you have been
sworn TO perform. That idea, to-
gether with the fact that this is not
u regular grand jury term OF court,
induces me to charge you briefly
and informally.
At the outset, it is proper to di.
rect your attention to the impor-
tant trust devolved upon you. In
deed, it is impossible to eXaggernte
the Importance of the grand Jury as
established under our system of
laws. You constitute an INSOFAR
nble, and, so fur as the good order
OF the community is concerned, per-
haps the most Indispensable part of
the court when in the exercise OF it's
criminal jurisdiction.
with you originate oil prosecu.
tlons of crime, and without your
control, IN large measure
RESTS THE PROTECTION,
ii not the preservation, of society.
so that whatever may be the purpose
and determination of this court to
enforce the laws in such manner
as to engender sense of security
IN the people living within it's jnris.
dlctlon, this object can mover be ac-
complished without the prudent and
conscientious discharge of your
high functions. Proceeding to the
details of your present service in
addition to the usual aud customary
investigation In such felonies and
misdemennors as mny be called to
yonr attention by the Attorney for
the Commonwealth. or which may
come to yonr knowledge. your spe-
cial duty will require you to look
into number OF alleged violations
OF the laws regulating the sale OF
intoxicating liquors.
Now, in this connection the court
desires to request your earnest and
Impartial consideration of one pop.
nlarly called
THE SOCIAL CLUB CASES,
sent on by the Police Justice for
your investigation. Coming as you
do from all parts of the city, YOU
hre doubtless already aware of the
deep concern pervading the entire
community on tins subject.
PuDlio sentiment seems to be
greatly aroused on the question aud
1t now becomes your duty to face IT.
That you will do 80 without fenr
or favor ana equally without preiu.
ulce or passion, Is the reasonable ex.
pectation OF the people of this city,
whose representatives you ure in
tue present exercise of your present
duties.
That you will have much difficulty
IN dealing with this question does
not seem probable. Now, that the
Attorney sior the Commonwealth
may, at your request. explain to
you IN detail the legal phases of the
SITUATION, the Court ventures to
throw out for your practical
guidance the suggestion that
THE coMMoN-sENsE QUESTION
for you to address yourselves to ,s.
Are these social clubs real. bona
nde associations Of limited mum
per OF individuals, united into n
chartered organization, Tor the pro.
motion of lawful social intercourse.
or are they really engaged in the
business of selling Intoxicating
liquors and using their charters as a
device or arrangement to avoid paw
ing the license required of other
pefsons engaged ID that business?
That seems to to be your whole in.
quiry.
If, during the progress of your
investigation, you require any in.
1ormntion on any question of law
you may request the assistance of
tbe Attorney for the Common.
wealth.
Inc court also holds itself in