Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-11-19

ssIt is the sworn duty of election
officers, to see that every man fairly
entitled to vote, has the opportunity to
cast his ballot, and further to see that
such vote i5 fairly counted and duly
returned so that the peoples will may
be fully and honestly expressed.
Election officers are the servants of the
people, sworn to do'.right, not wrong to
execute, not to subyerr the laws; to see
that the will of the people is executed,
not defeated. II they do otherwise,
they have violated their oaths and be-
trayed their trust. Political corruption
has grown so rapidly of late, that many
men apparently honest in all other
relations of life seem to make politics
an exception, and hesitate not, to use
trickery, deceit and fraud to win an
election. They openly justify resort to
such methods, on the ground that
the end justifies the means. Such
debauchery of the ballot seriously
threatens our existence as free
people, and may we'll alarm every
thoughtful citizen.
"Pubiic sentiment is justly and
thoroughly aroused. Good men of every
political faith have expressed the de-
termined purpose to stamp out political
corruption wherever found, and to
purify 80 far as may be our political
methods. A rigid enforcement of the
law will secure this end. The defect is
not in the law but in that it is ex-
ecutod by bad men.
"You are the guardians of the public
veal, coming from all parts of the
county il is fair to presume that you
know something of the charges referred
to. of the existing evils and what is
needed to remedy them. Ii corrupt
violations of the law governing
elections have come to the knowledge of
any one of you, it is the duty of such
one to lay the fact before the attorney
general aud before your fellow jurors,
to the end that the guilty may be
punished and society protected.
1--WE are informed by the attorney
general, that indictments for violations
of the election laws will be framed and
eurnestly urge that you give these csses
full, impartial and prompt attention.
We know of 10 crime that SO impera-
lively demands suppression. The court
will render you every assistance, in
bringing such offenders to speedy trial
and to condign punishment.
Gentlemen, tho people whom you
represent in this their court of Justice,
expect you in this matter, to do your
whole duty, without fear or favor,
having regard only for that which is
right"
Following the reading of the charge,
| the grand jury retired to its chamber.
Then the roll OF petit jurors was called.
At the request of Attorney General
| White, the court ordered the issuance
of capiases for William Dozen, charged
with carrying concealed a deadly
weapon Joseph M. Burke and James
| Whitford,. for recording a bet, and John
| Smith, for being concerned in lottery
policy writing. The capiases were
made returnable at the next term oil
court. The indictments have been
pending since previous term, but the
defendants have been out of the reach
| OF the court.
Applicants for licenses to sell liquor,
Of which there are IS, appeared before
| the court and swore to their appli-
cations. Several applicants were
| women.
The grand jury acted on three bills,
! ignoring one against Henry Davis fol
larceny. and finding true bills against
Richard Darrsgh and Rocco Cachilli
for larceny.
Court took recess until 2. 80 O'Clock.
| Traditional court news on fifth page.l