The herald., 1896-11-01
GRAND JURIES AND JUDGES

GRAND JURIES AND JUDGES
Judge B. N. Smith has charge of the
grand jury of this county. 1t is he who
finally determines the personnel of this
committee of the people and it is he who
can encourage or discourage fair and
impartial investigation of the affairs
and business of the people.
The voters should look into the per-
sonnel of late grand juries and their
management to determine whom they
will vote for to sit in the superior court
of this country.
At present somewhat influential city
politician named f. w. Stein is on the
grand jury. He is there by the consent
of Judge Smith. Mr.. Stein was a men,
ber Of the city school board of education
that was so justly and so severely con-
demned by a former grand jury. Two
members of that board were indicted by
the jury. The report condemned the
members of the board, specifically eX-
cepting DR.. Wills and Mrs. Hughes on
account of their honest championship of
the children and of the schools against
from condemnation. That jury report
was made to- Judge Smith. 1t was said
before 1t was made that member of
public body like the board of education
should not have been on the grand
jury.
The notorious scandals and the ru-
mors of evil-doing had for some time
made it clear that the city board of edu-
ca ation was one of the first bodies to be
investigated by the peoples committee.
Consequently a school board man was
especially contra indicated as a grand
juror. Now Stein is on again. This is
cited to indicate a policy that may be
expected to continue with the grand
jury under the management of the same
judge.
The general public may not be aware
of the fact that for some time there has
been a determined effort on the part of
certain politicians backed by our great
corporations to do away with grand
juries altogether. Investigation by an
impartial committee taken from the
body Of the people is very inconvenient
to abusers of trust to political boodlers
and to bribe-givers. Our patriotic fran
chise abuser, Huntington, does not
think we'll Of grand juries. Take our To-
cal patriots, such as the water company
managers and other politico-busi-
ness combinations. and they would
doubtless disapprove of an inpertinent
inquisition by grand jury in any pub
lie business. There are powerful cor
r A 4
"tremble for the public safety" and per-
haps for their own, II a courageous
grand jury was to tackle the business of
the city hall. The people need superior
court judges who are not only honest
but who will be careful to guard the
peoples interest.
The officers of Los Angeles Building
association have, at their own expense
they say, issued a circular letter to warn
the members of the association that if
Bryan is elected their stock would de-
preciate in value to an alarming eX-
tent. The circular is string of false
hoods and issued for political purpose.
Why the stockholders retain such men
in charge of their affairs may be ex-
planned on the ground that they were
not as well acquainted with them when
they were selected as they are now. A
man who would take advantage of his
official position in building associa-
ton to scare it's members into voting his
way should be bounced. A man may in
his Individual capacity, be a partisan to
his hearts content. but when 1t comes to
betraying a trust that is placed in his
hands for safe keeping and judicious
management, he proves himself to be
entirely unworthy of the confidence of
the trust, and the quicker he is sent
adrift the better it will be for the in
terests he is the guardian Of.
There is a report about the city hall
to the effect that a demonstration will
be made before the council Monday in
the interest of a certain brand of as
phalt in connection with the Main street
pavement. The contractors, while dill
atory about commencing operations.
have invested a large amount of money
in permanent plant in this city, and
are doing good work. Any action in the
line stated, pending an analysis of the
asphalt used by disinterested chemists
would be, to say the least, a remarka-
BILE proceeding, in view of the fact that
the contractors stand ready to sign
contracts with each and every property
owner to keep the pavement in repair
five years. and would seem to indicate
that there is something behind the mat
ter other than protecting the peoples
interests.
How ridiculously have all the canards
that the Republican press were at pains
To "a Inc