The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-02-02

l concealed weapon. his own conscience anu | the law regardless of penalties, will re- strain him. while the lawless look only | to tho punishment for restraint, and are not restrained by fine.
 A man with a concealed pistol in his ] pocket often forces an issue with an un- armed man when he would not do so if | he knew his adversary was also armed 1 and when the difficulty is begun acts with less consideration. It is a sad commen- tary on our civilization to find so many men in defiance of the law. but fear too much sustained by a public senti- ment, promenadng the streets as a walk
 ing arsenal-a hip-pocket avenger of his
 imaginary wrongs and defender of his reputation.
 Look carefully to this violation of law, and return bills in such cases regardless of the parties, for the law gives no dis
 cretion. By so doing, you protect, as
 best you can, the law-abiding from the
 lawless. and this is the only way to break
 up the hip-pocket practice"
 Judge Thomas spoke to the jury at
 some length on the laws governing elec-
 tions and on election frauds
 T will say here," he said. concluding
 this subject. that 1t is my judgment
 that the time has come when the maxi mum punishment should be given for elec-
 tion frauds. and one who violates tho
 provisions as to false returns should he
 punished by hard labor rather than by
 fine."
 The vagrancy Law.
 Discussing the new law prohibiting va grancy. Judge Thomas said:
 The vagrancy law is broad enough,
 if enforced. to rid Us of many objec-
 tionable characters leading idle. immor- al, or profigate lives Its second section
 requires sheriffs, constables. police and
 town marshals to give information under
 oath to the proper officials of any one
 guilty of vagrancy. Let us not forget that this statute. as we'll as all others, Is
 made alike for white and black, for wom- an or man, who violate it's provisions
 Let its provisions be enforced impar- tially.
 The statute providing the right of a defendant charged with a misdemeanar to elect to perform hard labor for the county rather than remain in jail await ing the action of trial court. has been so amended that the defendant. in event of his being acquitted. shall be paid by the county his earnings. (Act 19o3. p. 23s. f"This statute also makes it the duty Of the committing magistrate. the sher- if. the judge of probate, and clerk of cir cult or city court, to render to the Grand Jury a statement for misdemean- ors. and dates they were carried before the proper officer and informed of his right to do hard labor for the county rather than remain in jail; and under the lato amendment he must be informed that if he labors he will be paid the proceeds of his labor by the county, If on the trial he is acquitted. Has this provision of the law been strictly complied with ? If not, call the committing magistrate. the sheriff, the judge of probate. and the clerks of the Circuit and City Court be- fore you and enquire why 1t has not been done.
 New Act as to Butchers. q charge you also to inquire If the act making it unlawful to sell or buy any COW between the hours of sunset and
 sun rise Is observed. If butchers keep a
 book in which they make a record of
 each COW killed by them. showing the
 color ear-marks and brands. from whom
 purchased and when, the residence Of
 person from whom purchased, the approx
 innate gross weight at the time of pur- chase and at time it is butchered. Tho
 failure to comply with this act shall be
 punished by a fine of not less than $500, and may be sentenced to hard labor. The enforcement of this act would make the disposition of stolen cattle hazardous"
 The jury was charged by Judge Thom- as as to it's duty to investigate the books and accounts of county officials, and to visit all public property making a report thereon.
 Tho Grand Jury retired and immediate ly begun it's labors. w. B. Whiting was appointed bailiff by Foreman Moses.