The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-13
The Legislature
The G. ]. SYSTEM.
Laybourn Bill to Replace It With
Something Better Favorably
Considered.
Warm Debate in Senate Ends in
This Action by Vote
of soto %.

Senator George r. Laybourn, with the
aid of twenty nine of his colleagues was
able this morning to prevent the inter-
ment of his bill to relegate the grand jury
system to the home for .superannuated
and antiquated legal methods. The law
yers on the Judiciary committee are so
fond of the old fossil that they recon-
mended the bill for indefinite postpone
ment. Senator Laybourn offered mi
nority report recommending the bill for
passage. -.r.
After long and interesting debate the
bill was approved, so to 2S. :.-.
The bill proposes an amendment to the
constitution authorizing the legislature to
provide other means for prosecuting GRIM
inaI cases. Under the present constitu-
tion no person can be prosecuted for a
crime except on indictment by a grand
jury. The system has proved tedious,
costly and often Inefficient and many
able lawyers believe that a speedier and
less complicated system should be adopted
The Laybourn measure will not necessarily
compel the abolition of the grand jury sys
tenn.
Mr.. Somer,ille declared that the sys-
tenn was the bulwark of the innocent
against prosecution by malicious enemies.
The grand jury was usually composed OF
clear-headed :. business men while the
county attorney was too often mere poll
tician. He declared that the prosecution
Of the municipal corruption cases in Min
neapolis would probably not have been
possible except through the grand jury
system.
Senator Laybourn declared that his bill
in no wise affected the rights of accused
persons. Other systems were much more
expeditions and economical. Michigan had
not had a grand jury in thirty years and
yet no one would say that there had been
any miscarriage of justice in that state.
Wisconsin tried and convicted her Grim
inals in less time than Minnesota could
return indictments.
Senator Wilson said that in Hennepin
county 40 per cent Of the grand jury in
dictments were noled for lack Of evil
dence or because the states witnesses
could not be found.
Omnibus Appropriation Bill.
Senator Brewer presented an omnibus
bill providing for the general contingent
or additional expenses Of the state gov
eminent. 1t does not include the fixed
charges for salaries or maintenance nor
the appropriations for institutions and
like purposes 1t carries with it an appro-
priation of about $460,0O0.
Surveyor Generals Duties,
bill by Senator Swedback increases
the duties and compensation Of the sur
veyor general. A surveyor general is
required to go to any part Of his district
to inspect and scale cedar posts. farm
poles. telegraph poles. etc. at the re-
quest Of any owner or officers entrusted
with writs of replevin, attachment or ex-
ecution. He is to receive 10 cents for
! each hundred farm posts or poles and 10
cents per hundred feet lineal measure for
! electric light, telephone and telegraph
poles.
Pathological Laboratory for the "U."
DR.. A. B. Cole presented a bill appro-
priating s125,o00 for g, pathological labora-
tory at the university, 100000 being for
the building and the remainder for equip
ment One-third of the building is to
| be used by the state board of health.
| :. A memorial to congress urging the pas
sage Of the Brownlow good roads bill was
pa ssed by unanimous vote. Another joint
resolution authorizing the governor tt
send the national guard to the exposition
at st. Louis in 1904 and authorizing the
adjutant general to draw on the nationa
guard appropriations for 1904 and 1905 tt
cover the expenses. went over on motto,
of debate.
The Jepson bill relating to the dutie
Of coroners was indefinitely postponed.