The Saint Paul globe., 1899-01-05
CARDSAND WOMEN
OF THE GRAND JURY TO
CERTAIN RUMORS
GAMBLING AND WINE ROOMS
W hiIe He Says the Suppression OF
These and Houses of IH-Fanle BE-
longs to the Criminal Court of
the City, Still He Cannot Over
look Taenn-Certain Election Re
turns to- BE Probed.

In his charge to the grand jury, de-
ivered yesterday morning in district
court, Judge Kelly desired an investi-
cation made of charges of public gamb-
bling, the wine rooms and the dis
creDancies found in the recount of the
ballots cast in several of the election
precincts at the fall election. The
grand jury filed into the court room
and listened attentively to the charge,
which was read by the court in a very
impressive manner. After reading sec
tions 1902 to 1911 Of the general statutes.
the court said:
Mr.. Foreman and Gentlemen Of the Grand
Jury: 1t is made my duty by the law ID
read to you certain portions of the General
Statutes of this state, as l have just done.
These statutory provisions contain IN
measure, summary of the powers, privileges,
rights and duties of the grand jury, and Of
each juror, together with nece gary informa-
ton as TO orderly prcceodre therein.
[ viii, in passing, refer more particularly
TO some of them. The first section of this
law empowers this grand jury and makes it
their duty TO inquire into all public offenses
committed CT triabie in Ramsey county This
is plain, direct and positive. 1t needs no
panation from the court, because it can bear
but one Interpretation.
1t is made by this statute the duty OF any
member of the grand jury who knows or
who has reason to believe that public Of
fenSe has been committed which is triable
in the county to declare the same to his fel-
low Jurors, who shall thereupon Investigate
the same II is your duty to inquire. first.
into the condition of every person imprisoned
upon a criminal charge triable in the county.
and not indicted. This for the manifestly just
reason that, if innocent, such persons may
be discharged. or if indicted they be ac-
corded speedy trial before a petit jury.
No indictment or presentment can be found
without the concurrence of at least twelve
grand jurors. Sixteen grand jurors conSti-
tute a quorum but I earnestly recommend
that all the grand jurors sworn attend all
its sessions When an Indictment or pre-
10 =,
foreman OF the grand jury, whether he con-
CURED therein or not. and the indictment
found shall also be indorsed "A true bill"
and such Endorsement signed in all cases by
the foreman. When an indictment is found
the names OF the witnesses examined before
the grand jury shall. in all cases, be insert
ed at the foot Of the Indictment or indorsed
thereon. before It is presented to the court.
The fact that an Indictment or presentment
has been found shall be kept secret until
the defendant is arrested. And it is a viola
ton of the law and of your cath to disclose
what you yourself or any grand juror said
or how you he voted any matter" All
indictments and preseGtme must be. with,
out unnecessary delay, presented to the court
by the forman, and in the presence Of the
grand jury.
There remains but little more for me to
say, except that I deem it my duty to call
your attention TO certain kinds of public Of
fenSes which said to be too common in
great cities and from which, unfortunately
st. Paul is not free, If public talk is true.
1 refer to public gambling, the keeping Of
orderly houses under the disguise Of wine
rooms and the furnishing of intoxicating
liquors to minors. While the punishment or
suppression of some OF these kinds of vice
more properly be.ongs to the criminal court
of the city 1 cannot in conscience acquit
myself of having done my full duty unless
speak TO you as the representatives of the
whole county.
Another matter has been called 10 my at
tenton, which 1t is my duty to lay before the
grand jury. In the course of recount of
the ballots cast in the county of Ramsey at
the last November election for candidates for
county treasurer. such errors and discrepau-
cies between the returned by the
election officers from certain wards and voting
precincts of this city, and that alleged u
have been found by the referees appointed
by law to make this recount have been made
to appear, as TO require, in my judgment. at
your hands a rigid investigation First as to
the fact of the discrepancies Second, to
the cause, if you find such discrepancies ex-
listing.
The purity of the ballot is the foundation
of republican government. free vote and
a fair count is the right of every American
community. The man who corrupts the ball
lot in its inception or in its declaration is
public enemy, and ought to be dealt with as
SUCH
I have caused to be made copy of the
report of the court of the referees IN the
matter alluded to, which will hand to your
foreman.
It would not be becoming in the judge to
intimate any opinion as to the fac-s In this