The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-10-01
IGRA||h||||D!lUR| system Is
), DEFENDED !: BY VNDEx.
Relates History of the Creation
Of the System During Reign
of Henry Ill., >.>.:.
Vindex Wants to- Know What
Is to Take Place Of Grand
= Jury Investigation.
Duluth, Mimi, Sept. 20, 1904.

Duluth, Mimi, Sept. 20, 1904. :
Mr.. Editor
The question of abolishing the grand
jury in Minnesota is being agitated at
this time Recently I noticed in the
newspaper a long list of opinions in
reference thereto, In which many per-
sons seemed to favor the abolition of
that ancient and -honored body.
Among the early founders of republics
where all power is supposed to ema-
nate from the people, the grand jury
is generally regarded as the represen-
tative element Of government nearest
to the populace to be governed. The
grand jury system( with it's many
changes and notifications dates back
to the forty second year Of the reign
of Edward III. Formerly it was COM
posed of twenty-four members and al
ways required twelve members to con-
cur in an accusation, but frequently
there were twelve for and twelve
against and to avoid that situation one
was dropped, so that we now have
twenty three members, with sixteen for
a quorum and still twelve must concur
in finding an Indictment.
The grand jury came into use in
England after many iniquitous prosecu
tions of innocent persons, who were
victims to the subserviency of the
crown officers in proceedings by in
formation. That is the method tof
procedure proposed by those who now
want to abolish the grand jury in this
state.
The attaches of the courts today
are too willing to trust themselves and
over confident, that they will not err
in the administration of swift justice.
The functions of the grand jury are
generally prescribed by statute to be
their duty, to inquire into all indicta-
BILE offenses committed or triable in
the county, as we'll as the case of every
person imprisoned in the county Jail
| and not indicted.
| Besides these ordinary duties, certain
others Of a special character are de-
puted to them. 1t is the duty of the
grand jury to inspect the county Jail,
for the purpose of examining it's .secur-
ity, sanitary condition and discipline; :.
to inquire into the wilfull and corrupt
! misconduct in office Of public officers
of every description within the county.
They occupy place in the realm of
governmental prerogatives, between the
people and their chosen officials and
are clothed with power to call any one
of the public servants to render an
account Of his stewardship at any time
when they are properly assembled
That their duties may be performed
without obstruction the grand jury is
generally granted free access to public
n SONS all off 1,o
count u. II They must also exanriiiine Into
the condition 81 the; county tt eaSsury! !
sometimes perform the duties of coun-
ty commissioners: inspect the bonds Of
county Officers, with regard to their
correctness and sufficiency; examine
the tax collectors books, his reports
and settlements; ascertain whether the
several towns of the county have been
duly assessed; whether the officers
have collected and expended the tax
for the support of schools as required
by law; make a careful examinat ton
of the condition of the accounts Of the
collecting officers Of the county, dock
cts of the justices of the peace and any
other matters relating to the general
school funds.
In case of the abolition Of the grand
jury, who shall discharge all these du-
ties, between the people and their
chosen officials? Who shall guard the
liberties Of the people? Who shall
complain Of .wrong-doers? VINO shall
examine the books of officials?
TO whom shall the special inherent
governmental powers of the grand
jury be delegated?
4uo,,ld NV or trtArv opootpoo1f
make it obligatory upon the courts to
more explicitly direct and charge the
grand juries as to their powers. and
ty, village and particularly city Off
clals until grating in official life
would be but a memory.
The principal argument against the
grand jury system, is the matter of ex-
pense to the county. Annually the tax
payers put into the county treasury
the necessary funds to defray the run
ming expenses Of the government Of
the county and the money disbursed
for the services of the grand jury
merely returns to each juror a por-
tion Of the taxes which he advanced,
while it does more in a substantial
manner toward making him better
citizen. To serve on the grand jury is
an education to any man such as are
| usually drawn, which must prove bene-
ficial to him as an individual and the
salutary Influence upon the commu-
nifty at large, as we'll as that upon
the public officials for good govern
ment, cannot be measured. in dollars,
and cents. 49,, >.:.>,
vTNnEx