El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-03-05
THE WORK OF GRAND JURIES.

Some people appear to think thai
the duty of grand juries is to reform
on tremendous scale by ferretiug Out
me,wherever it exists and forcing
general prosecution of wrong doers
AS q matter of fact, grand jury
while it is usually composed of citi
Zens rather above the average in in
telligence, is after all but one of the
agents of the whole community, and
its acts are generally to be construed
as the result of averaging up the sense
of the community-always leaning a
little toward the side of progress rash
er than retrogressiou.
A grand jury cannot accomplish
miracles. Such body, notwith stand
ing the official oath, will seldom go
far in advance of the average sense of
the community. Even though there
radical changes in existing conditions,
men, for instance, who would per-
sonally like to see certain officials
prosecuted for misdemeanor and re-
moved, yet they will generally allow
their personal desires to become
merged in the general sense, prefer
ring to accomplish a little, surely,
rather than to fail altogether In the
attempt to overturn and reconstruct.
1t is that determination to accomplish
little at time that marks the true
reformer, and distinguishes him from
t.
error on the part of many virtuous and
well meaning people to attempt too
greatly. Nothing Is gained thus in
work done, and the result of such over
zealousness is generally to shock the
general sense of the community and to
cause a reaction even among those
who would be supporters of the cause if
they were not betrayed into a policy
of extremes.
Every right minded citizen must
have been favorsbly impressed with
the work of the grand jury which re-
Gently adjourned in this city. Their
work was marked by a gratifying de-
gree of care for the public interests,
and while they did not do any great and
memorable thing, yet what they did,
If impartially reviewed, demonstrates
that the general sense of the commun-
ity, as represented by them, is on the
right side of the scale.
An exceedingly hopeful sign of the
times, aud one for which the late
grand jury is to be especially COM
meuded, is the Indictment of Pat
Dryer, the policeman, nephew of the
ad ADMINISTRATION, for alleged bunco
steering. It does not matter whether
Pat is guilty or not The fact that
such charge was seriously made
against policeman was enough to
make searching Investigation neces-
of the administration chief sup
porters on the grand jury
the Indictment shows that
the general sense of the community
a gain prevailed, and compelled action.
Certain it is, that the people will not
permit the police force to be unduly de-
graded.
1t is little remarkable that no &C
ton of any sort has been taken in re-
gard to the recent escapade of the
chief OF police. 1t will be remembered
that Chief Locksrt, while drunk, was
knocked down in saloon for abusing
a private citizen, dissrmed by police
man. and sent home in hack. The
HERALD would hate to think that
such an occurrence Ia of so little
moment as to be allowed to pass by
some administrative action.
The public has not been informed that
the chief even reprimanded himself.
And as to suspension, investigation, or
adequate punishment,if such has taken