The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-02
COMMENTS UPON IT
How the Grand Jury's Report Strikes
the People Generally.
THE DOCUMENT IS ENDORSED
Indictments Returned and Those
Who Are Concerned About
Them About Putting
Prisoners to Work.

Missoula, March 1.-The grand jury's
report has been by this time generally
read and considered by Missoula peo-
pie To-day has been good time 10
remain indoors and read it. man
who would venture out on a day like
this unless business compelled him TO
do so, is crazy. AS a result OF the
stormy Sunday il is probable that the
grand jury's report was more carefully
read than il would have been had the
warm weather of week ago prevailed.
And there is no doubt as to the recep-
ton which the public accords the re-
port. 1t is commended by all The
duty which devolved upon this grand
jury was particularly unpleasant, but
the report shows that the responsible
ity was not shirked and that all mat
tiers brought before the grand jury
were fairly and thoroughly investiga-
ted. Judge Woody did well to COM
mend the jurors for their excellent
work, and il is sincerely to be hoped
that the precedent established will be
followed.
To Judge Woody and County Attor-
ney Dixon belong a share of the credit
for the results accomplished by the
grand jury. The formers charge to the
Jury undoubtedly had much to do with
the thoroughness of the work done and
the jurors. themselves, express appre-
citation Of the assistance rendered by
Mr.. Dixon. AS might be expected from
its radical nature, Judge Woodys
charge has attracted considerable atten-
ton throughout the state. 1t is graft
flying to know that the opinions ex-
pressed by the papers of the state are
generally in support of the position
taken by Judge Woody. The Bozman
Chronicle has this to say I'm this con-
nection
Judge Woody of Missoula, is all
right. A judge Of less honesty and
rugged integrity would have twisted,
turned and trimmed and finally re-
fused to call for an investigation of the
affairs of one who has occasioned more
or less official scandal in that city.
There was a powerful influence
brought to bear on Judge Woody; men
of high political influence all over the
state were urged to plead with him and
did so; but knowing his duty he dared
do it,"
The Great Falls Tribune endorses the
charge in the following language:
This is remarkable language from
the bench, yet it would not have been
used by Judge Woody unless there
was a reason for 1t. The fact cannot
be denied that in most of the important
cases that now come before the Mon
tana courts there is more or less talk
of fixed jurors and jury fixers. In
many instances, no doubt there is no
foundation for such stories, yet they
have become a crying scandal. and
effective measures should be adopted
to put a stop to them. If a fixed
juror or a jury flXer should be detected
and If such there can be discovered, an
example could be made of them that
would put an end to the evil for some
time at least"
OF the indictments returned by the
grand Jury, two were against Frank
w. Mcconnell, clerk of the district
court; one was against Mrs. Glenn;
one against Joe Stark; one against the
Thompson Falls Chinaman. and one,
returned yesterday morning, which has
not yet been made public. These cases
have been partially disposed of. Mrs.
Glenn escaped easily-she was fined
500. cheap price for her sport. One
of the Cinnamon will spend five years
in the pen at Deer Lodge and the other
will go back TO Thompson Falls and
try it over again. Joe Stark is in the
county Jail, awaiting trial for his muir
derous assault upon Ed Myers. The
two indictments against Mr. McCon-
nell Will probably never be served. as
it is said that he will not return to
Montana.
There is considerable speculation as
to the nature OF the indictment re-
turned by the grand jury yesterday
noon. The only reference that was
made to IL in the court room was the
instructions of Judge Woody: Fix the
bail at $1,000 and issue a bench war
rant" This was done but only the
court officers knew for whom the war
rant was issued. There is not much
doubt. however. that the name in the
indictment is that of Louis Bumbaugh.
who is accused Of larceny as bailee
from DIR. w. b. Parsons. Ii is known
that this matter was brought before
the grand jury and this furnishes
ground for the belief that the indict-
ment was of this nature. The alleged
larceny Is said TO have occurred in con-
nection with a timber and stone land
entry up the Big Blackfoot
The portion OF the grand jury's re-
port that is likely to create the most
discussion is the suggestion made as
TO the employment of prisoners in the
county Jail, upon the public highway
and elsewhere, where the public will
be benefited. The present cost OF
maintaining the prisoners in the county
Jail is about $500 a month and for this
sum the county receives no return. ex-
cept that most of the professional prls-
oners return TO Jail as soon as possible
after the expiration of their sentences
As far as the matter has been discuss
ed, IL seems to be quite generally an
proved. There is. OF course, some on
position but IL is believed that this
arises from a wrong conception of the
idea.
The ReautIful Lander yill. oxrned n, 49,,