Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-08
TELEPHONES.
THE sTENoGRApHER,s BILL.

The gentleman who was employed to
make stenosraphic report of the pro
ceedings OF the grand jury has presented
his bill 10 the Cracil. who have referred
il to the Finance Committee.
In the end Mr.. Winston will get his
money: he need feel no alarm on that
score, but preliminary thereto certain
questions must be settled. One is whether
a stenographer should have been allowed
in the jury room at all.
That has not been the usual practice
in the State courts. The Federal courts.
on the other hand, have allowed them.
They would not heed the protests made
by the Democrats when the Munford
election cases were under consideration.
fifteen or twenty years ago.
So far as the Virginia statutes are con-
cerned We believe they are silent on this
subject, but they do not allow the at
torney for the Commonwealth to stay
in the jury room. He can come in when
sent for, but after he has responded to
the questions asked him by jurors he
must retire.
Neither the State laws nor the city or
dinances provide fer the payment Of
stenographers to take down evidence Civ
en- before the grand jury. No doubt such
records are useful TO prosecuting officers.
,,ut for all that the law does not pro-
vide for them.
In the case under consideration the SER
vice has been rendered and accepted by
the grand jury and the court and the
question now is who is going TO pay
for 1.-THE city or the State? The ]1us-
tings Court is a State body and the grand
jury is one Of its limbs. Certain expenses
incident to the maintenance of this court
must be paid by the city. but this is
not one of them. 1t does not even appear
that the transcript of the proceedings
OF the grand jury is in the possession of
the city authorities And. moreover, If
the City Council. or Mayor. were 10 ask
for n copy of the Stenographer'S report
we much doubt If Judge Witt would con-
sent for either 10 have it, such is the
sanctity and secrecy which, doth hedge in
the grand jury room.
It is true the subject Of the investiga-
tion made by the grand jury was alleged
corruption in the City Council Of Rich
mond: but what of that? What benefit
has Richmond received? Ne haven't even
gotten the stcnograpner's report, we don't
know who are and who are not corrupt
Nor will the City Council ask that the
records be put into its hands. In fact,
II is ayerse to any sort of investigation;
at least the Common Council is; the Board
of Aldermen is heartily In favor of it. So
ne see in this stcnogra piers bill the
possibility of a discussion which will take
wide range.
We trust It will be effective in convert
to the error of their ways. No question
ever can he regarded as settled until it
IS rightly settled. Suspicion always will
attach to some members of the Council
with the minority in the demand for an
. Investigation and been acquitted.
The grand Jury could make no present
merts for violations of law ante-dating
twelve months. Had the law been differ
ent in that respect We dare say they could
have gotten ample evidence. But the City
Council has larger powers and it can pun
ish severely by bringing public condem-
nation upon any forsworn and guilty
man.