Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1896-04-15

many or the assaults perpetrRtod or q
violent nature, are those. made by persons
wearing arms. Either under the influence
Of III temper, or OF indulgences that ex-
cite basty temper, many bave been the
murders aud many the persons seriously
injured, when there would have been no
such result OF the controversy unless the
wrong-doers had been possessed with
weapons and which were used either In app
prehension or from the consciousness OF
having an advantage over the adversariee.
A man who will shoot another, unarmed,
Is the prince OF dastar IL, and you have no
better opportunity 10 impress this upon
the community than B, diligently inquire
into this habit INF bring before the trial
court such creatures as stalk about the
community loaded down with a pIstol or
some other concealed weapon, fancying
they are heroes and probably seeking a
difficulty that they may with cowardice
take advantage OF their opponent.
Strongly put your foot down upon this
unworthy action and bring to account any
man who carries under his coat a weapon,
or in his bosom a dirk, and stamp him, as
do now to you, an unworthy member OF
your community. 1t Is q matter Of ex-
p~erience that In most difficulties, that, II
there were not some opportunity IN the
part Of one or the other to take advantage,
the quarrels would have probably ended
without injury to either party.
/ have, myself, gentlemen OF the Jury
been cognizant, personally, Of the danger
of this habit. l nave even lived in q our
try where the necessities of the situation
seemed to justify the habitual wearing Of
a weapon, but ! have always ~disapproved
10, and my experience in this country con-
firms me in that impression, and induces
me to be earnest In suggesting to You your
institution Of proceedings against wrong
doors, in this respect.
The district attorney has called my at
%tention to an inquiry, that it is well FOL
you all to consider. 1t is very certain
that there is a great neglect, IN the part
of citizens, to perform obligation to help
support stheir Icounty and Territory,
by the payment Of the legitimate
assessments upon their property, called
taxes; and there is every reason to be.
lieve that citizens, in their desire to es-
cape this liability, suppress the possession
of property, of a personal character. II
is not practicable, of course, as you know,
for the assessor to ascertain the extent OF
the possessions, Of a personal character.
Of any citizen; and yet, that citizen free
Quently does not hesitate to make a false
report of his ownership, and desire you
to inquire into this condition, and ascer-
tain, If possible, whether false returns
have been made, by Taxpayers, and If
they have, confer with your district attor-
ney, who will refer you to the statute
covering such cases.
You are here, now, under the vigilant
requirement Of the law, and It's careful en-
forcement by the court, as Taxpayers.
court, be eligible in your present capacity,
il you had ignored your obligations to the
Territory in the payment of your dues for
the support Of the government OF your
county and the government of your Terri
tory, and therefore you can readily UNDER
stand that it must be incumbent upon you
to hold all citizens up to their obligation Of
this character, n I hope you will take
great pleasure in ascertaining IL other
people of the county have been less worthy
than you and less honorable in returning
their property for assessment and paying
their dues upon 1t.
You will understand that your proceed
.ings are to be secret, and If there Is any
member Of your body that should disclose
anything that occurs within your cham
bers, he will be utterly unworthy of bis
position and will render himself liable to
the law, which is in these words:
Every member of the grand jury must
keep secret whatever he, himself, or any
other grand juror, may have said or in
what manner he or any other grand juror
may have voted on the matter before them.
Any grand Juror who shall, during the sit
ting thereof. or at any other subsequent
period, violate the provisions OF this Sec
tion shall be fined by the court, In any sum
not exceeding $50.
And you will understand that the court,
in the exercise of its power, would not only
impose a fine for the violation of that
statute, but would incarcerate any mem
Der until that fine was paid.
You can understand the wisdom Of such
for IL a party discovers you
are investigating him, in the consciousness
of guilt, be may absent himself beyond
the jurisdiction of the court; and, further,
IL it should become a matter Of publicity
what the views or evidence of any one
member of the body was, it would reate
personal animosity; whereas, II you rre-
serve your secrets, those people who may
be accused by you will be utterly without
any right to hold any one of you respor-
but will be bound to recognize that
1t is the action Of your corporate body OF
twenty-one people.
You can find an indictment, as I have
before stated, by a vote Of twelve, and
Of your members. You will retire to your
room and organize by the election Of a
clerk and then notify your district attor-
ney, who will appear before you and
initiate proceedings which it is your duty
pursue. Proceed with all dispatch that
is compatible with the efficient discharge
Of your duties.
Jno. J. Dewitt visited the hot springs,
yesterday. He has travelled 5000 miles
leaving Hoboken, N. j., six weeks
ago, and he will have covered a distance
Of IA 900 miles ere he returns home from |