The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-06-06
100 YOUR DUTY, l'LL DO NINE"
JUDGE FALLIGANT's POINTED
CHARGE TO THE GRAND JURY.


payers, He Said. and the Fines linz
posed as penalties for Crime Go to
Their Benent-The Grand Jury
Charged to Investigate the Al
legged Prevalence of Gambling and
of Bribery--rhe Judges Emphatic
Repiy to the Criticism of the Inst
Grand Jury-WiIl BE the Sole
Judge of HIS Judicial Acts, he
said.
Judge Falhgants charge to the grand
Jury at the converting of the June term
of the Superior Court yesterday, was one
of the most pointed and emphatic charges
that a Chatham county grand jury has
listened to in recent years. 1t dealt at
some length with the questions that
formed a leading issue in the recent So
licitorship campaign-the suppression of
gambling, and the fine system as a mode
OF punishment.
AS to gambling, the Judge charged the
grand jury pointedly on its duty. He
quoted the section of the criminal code,
holding the owner or agent Of any prop
erty used for gambling purposes liable
TO the same extent as those who main
tain gaming rooms, where the property
is known by the owner or agent to be
SO used. Commenting on this section of
the code, Judge Falligant threw out a
warming to house owners and renting
agents, to be careful in the selection of
their tenants, and he charged the grand
jury that IL is it's duty to present vio-
iations Of the law in this respect, as
well as In the maintaining Of gambling
places.
But the most direct point in the charge
was as to the suppression of the policy
lotteries which rob the poorer classes of
their earnings and their bread. These are
the gambling places which most seriously
affect the public morals by taking the FOOD
from the mouths of the wage-earners and
those depending upon them for their daily
support. There was no discrimination in
the charge, however, in favor of gambling
in any Of its FORMS and the grand jury
was directed to present all violations as it
finds them. The court upon the con-
viction of the Offenders will do its whole
proper punishment. Every means within
the law, he said, would be afforded the
grand jury in obtaining the evidence it
deems necessary to present parties sus-
pected of being guilty of its viola ton.
On this point Judge Falligant without
referring directly to, the presen ment of
the last grand jury as to the failure of
the fine system as a punishment for gam
bling, took occasion to point out wherein
the statement that the fines that are
brought into the registry of the courts
do not go to the benefit of the taxpayers,
Is untrue. The taxpayers do benefit from
the fines, he said, and materially so. Prior
to 1874 the insolvent costs Of the court
officials were paid by taxation after the
amount in the registry of the courts from
bad All has
largely reduced by the frequent pauper
afiidavits.. The bills of the court
officers for insolvent costs were
sent into the county and the taxpayers paid
chem. The people objected. and in 1884
the law limiting the amount of insolvent
costs received by the court off,
GERS TO the amount of fines
and forfeitures passed. Now
the insolvent costs are paid from tire
fines and forfeitures alone, and the tax
payers are relieved from the additional
taxation.
AS to the severity of the punishment
for the keepers of gambling houses whose
repeated violations Of law and public sem
timent demand the infection Of a. seve-er
penalty than for ordinary offenses, Judge
Fasiigant said the Court is entirely com
petent to judge, and 1t will assume all re-
sponsibility in determining the extent and
form of punishment within the limits pre-
scribed by law, without dictaton or sug-
IA
vfcted Of q stated offense Is given an alter
native sentence of 500 or twelve men his
ON the chain gang, for Instance, said
Judge Failigant. A white offender for a
similar offense, say IL Is keeping gaming
house, IL given an alternative sentence of
$1,000 fine or twelve months on the chain
gang. II call that severe punishment"
said the Judge But whatever others
might say about IL the Court said
it is ready 10 assume the entire response
billy you do your duty" Judge Falh-
CANT said to the grand jury land I'll do
mine"
The Court room was well filled with
spectators and the Judges charge, while
directed wholly to the grand jury, WAS
listened to with the keenest interest by
every one in the Court room 1t was de-
livered with much feeling. Judge Falli-
CANT clearly felt the Indirect criticism Of
his judicial acts by the previous grar d
jury and he emphasized his perfect right
10 be the sole Judge of his duty in I'm
posing penalties for crimes, within the
limits prescribed by law.
As to bribery in elections Judge Fai:i-
CANT charged the jury briefly but point
edly. To preserve the purity of the
ballot is the duty of every good citizen, he
said. II is more the duty OF those charged
with the oversight of the public morals 10
see that the sacred right of franchise is
nor corrupted. Ii is a matter of report,
said Judge Falligaut. that votes are
bought and sold at elections in Savannah,
and he charged the grand jury that
II, upon investigation, It found the report
true u should present both the bribe-ta
er and the bribe-giver.
Bring them all up" he said. '.let us
see VINO they are
The public report of crime and cor
ruption, rejecting upon the fair name of
Savannah, Judge Falligant said. is a cause
for deep regret. He believes that Savan-
nah Is the equal of any city In the country
in purity OF public morals, and whatever
crime does exist, he charged IL is the duty
of the grand jury as it is the duty of
every citizen, 10 aid in Ats suppression.
The grand jury, however, cnn only do It's
part Il cannot punish crime. That Is
for the courts. but 1t can present to the
courts, after investigation, such matters
as II believes should receive their atten-
ton. 1T is your duty to do this" said
Judge Falligant, land without fear or ia
yor."