The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-03-11
PLAIN and EXPLICIT
Judge Smiths Charge to the Lewis &
Clarke Grand Jury.
A THOROUGHlNvE
The Jury Told Not to Censure
Anybody but Either indlot or
Exonerate-spare No Ex-
pense or Trouble.
Special Dispatch to the Standard.


Investigation is on and bribed legisla-
tors and others interested should take
notice. A jury was selected this aft
ernoon and after being charged by
Judge Smith. Immediately began work.
w. +. Hundley, prominent resident of
Helena, is foreman. The other members
are +. ]. Edwards. William Johns. Il.
N. Brandge, John Sturrock. S. c. Gill
patrick and David keenan,, seven
Jurors. After the jurors were sworn,
Judge Smith read his charge, which
was explicit and lengthy:
Il have caused you to be summon
ed, the court said. in part. "in conse-
quence, first, Of a certain confession of
having taken bribes which is reported
10 have been made by one of the mem-
bers OF the late legislative assembly
of this state; second. by reason OF GER
tain charges of bribery and corruption
which are being made In the public
press and on the streets against other
members of said legislative assembly,
third, that you may investigate the Off
cial actions of. and either indict or en-
onerate certain accused members of the
late capitol commission: fourth, that
you may investigate such other mat
ters as may properly come before you
and perform those duties relative to
the Investigation of the public institu-
tons of this county which devolve upon
you by law"
The court told the Jurors TO be thor
ough and to spare no necessary ex-
pense. He directed them To bring in
indictments wherever possible, as the
accused person could then have a
chance to prove himself innocent. II he
Is innocent, while If simply censured he
would have no redress. In conclusion
the court said: "It Is charged that a
member of the Fifth legislative assem-
bly, of Montana has unblushingly con-
fcssed and acknowledged that he took.
not one but several brides for his votes
during the session just closed. Where
there Is bribe-taker there must of
necessity be at least one. perhaps many
bribe-g givers. II is your duty to discover
who these men are and present them
at the bar OF this court for trial and
punishment. IL the charges against
them are true. the very foundations of
our government are menaced, and IL is
high time that an exanpls. should he
made which shall be an everlasting
warning TO future corrupt legislators
and lobbyists. l am Informed that the
member who confessed was not a lead
er but weak follower, and ] charge
you, go to the very bottom of this busi-
ress and bring up the leaders IL you can
find out who they are. Montana has been
state for seven years and this Is the
second legislature which recall as be-
ing charged with having corrupt men,
bers. Charges of taking bribes and re-
tainers were spoken about some mem
bers of the Fourth legislative assembly
also, and II you can find legal evidence
to convict, present those men here also:
their crimes. IL they committed any. are
not outlawed. Unless this crime of brib-
cry can be checked we may as well
cease trying to govern ourselves and re-
lapse into barbarism.
1T is also charged that certain mem-
bers OF the state capitol commission
have been guilty OF corrupt practices In
Office. IL these members are guilty
they should he punished. and IL they
are innocent they should be fully exon
Grated In your report. ! charge you
to look into these charges against these
men thoroughly. with a view to pre-
senting them here IL guilty and fully
vindicating them II not guilty. In con-
clusion, gentlemen. let me say. do not
hesitate to do your duty In this mat
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