The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-05
PROFESSIONAL WITNESSES
Call Down BY the U. S. Grand
Jury
STRAW BONDS CONDEMNED
Commissioners Should Not Accept Them-laws
Governing the Illicit Making and Selling
of Whlskey Should Be Remedied.
STRAW BONDS CONDEMNED

The United States grand jury yester-
day finished its labors and submitted a
final rsporu at II o'clock.
The report was read by Foreman sam
M Handy, and recited the number OF
cases examined and true bills found, and
calling attention to irr gularities and he
gal practices among witnesses and other
matters concerning the court.
The United States commissioners were
censured for the failure to require good
bonds from Defendants. In this connsc-
ton 1T was shown that in many cases
the commissioners have accepted as sure
ties persons whose responsibility SONS
to be notorious.
The laws for the suppression of Illicit
d.stilling and sale of liquor are severely
criticised. The report says:
LAWS CONDEMNED.
'4The system of laws for the suppress
sion of the Illicit making and sale of
ldquor appear to be cumbersome, extray-
agant Ineffective and dange:ous, and de-
signed chiefly for securing fees to Off
cials, witnesses and informers
"Wihen such official prostitutes his
official position for the emo UNI rlts there-
hensible than the ignorant coun;ryman,
who believing In the God-given right 10
enjoy the fruits of his ABR, makes from
his surplus crop little whisky fcr the
use of himself and nsighbors.'
The report further says: eve find that
a total disregard for the sacred nature
of an oath exists to am alarming ex1eht
among informers and witnesses. Action
against such witnesses for perjury Is the
only redress, poor ais 1T is, but 1t is
through such action we have been made
acquainted with these ou.rages."
PROFESSIONAL WITNESSES.
The evidence, shows the, existence of a
regularly organized band of professional
witnesses in regular attendance upon the
commissioners oonIrts who rely upon the
pay thus earnsd for their living. While
THE evidence does not show that the COM
missioner was in actual collision with
such witnesses, for thus securing bust
ness for his count, we do believe that
commissioner in acceuting the evidence
of such disireputable witnesses known
to be unworthy of belief and having re'as-
enable ground for suspecting that such
prosecutions are brought for improper
purposes, merits the s.verest censuTe and
condemnation
In conclusion he report notes the ud.d
form courtesy shown and assistance rem
dered the grand jury by the court Off
cials. A high compliment is paid to AS
sistant District ATTORNEY Shelby S. Pl-a7-
ants who was with the jury during Its
deliberations.
JUDGE BOARMAN'S REPLY.
Judge Boaan1an in replying to the re-
port SAID that HE recognized the exist
ence of such practices which wer- great
ly ito be deplored and that he had recent
ly consulted With the attorney general
and sew5Tal congreEisrmtn with a view of
remedying the defects.
The following prisoners who had been
convicted durdng the term were sem
itsnoed:
John Butler, convicted of counterfeit
ing was given four years in the peni-
tertiary at Columbus, O., and fined $500
and costs in addition.
George Greene, retail liquor dealing
sentenced to thirty days Imprisonment
and finsd 500 and COSTS
John Scott, w. H. Thomas Joe Greggs,
Sam Riggsby, ST Williams, Robucl1 Will
Hams, ]. S. Bullard AMI John Sanders,
same offense; same sentence and fine.
J. P. Scott, ilicit dist Hing; sixty days
Imprisonment and fined $1OO and con-.
A. T. Harkey, same; three morths and
fined 500 and cost.
H. S. Elberton, Illicit distilIng; thirty
days aaa1 fined 800 and cost.
Attachments We're se aside in the fol-
lowing cases and the partles held as
witnesses:
Tom Cooley, d. B. Adams, w. o. Smith,
F. M. Mullenax, Mint Moore, Dock
Moore, J. x. Richardson, E. r. King
and j. w. Wfnn.
In the case of M. M Wills, admins
TRAITOR VS.. the Tennessee Coal, Iron and
Railroad company, dana ges, non suit
was taken by Plaintiff.
The case of Unitlsi1 States vs. A. G.
Deseker, charged with raising a 50 bill
to $40 was taken up and consumed the
entire AFTERNOON session. The jury re-
turned a sealed verdict All $3.50 o'clock.
COlORED CHAUTAUGUA.