The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-02
GRAND JURY I
BILL DEBATED
SENATORS soMERvILLE, FITZPAT-
RICK AND sCHALLER OPPOSE IT.
Sleepy Eye Senator Says Without ths
Grand Jury Minneapolis Would Never
Have Held House-C leaning-Sena-
tor Wilson Says Famous Grand Jury
Did Little Good but to Examine-Biu
a Special Order Tomorrow.

If Senator Laybourn g bill providing
for discretionary abolition Of the grand
jury had been law few years ago,
there would have been no investiga-
ton of corrupt affairs in the Mime
apolis municipality.
So asserted Senator Somerville on
the floor Of the senate today.
The bill was considered on general
orders, and a lengthy explanation and
Endorsement of the measure was made
by it's author, Senator George r. Lay
bourn of Duluth. He explained that
the general impression that the bill
abolished the grand jury was wrong;
that grand jury could at any time
be summoned.
Senator Somerville said the grand
jury was the shield of the common peo-
pie. Investigation of all crime for
prosecution would be left to the county
attorney by the bill. "Under such a
have had any investigation of munich
pal affairs in Hennepin county, if it
hadn It been for the grand jury7'
Senator Somerville then questioned the
constitutionality of the bill which
would permit of prosecutions without
Indictment and in opposition to the
federal constitution.
Senator P. Fitzpatrick of Winona
made the most eloquent address of the
day. He believed the bill would mean
the practical abolition of the grand
jury. "The grand jury system, with
the petit jury system, I believe to be
the best foundation Of self government
ever devised by man. he said ener-
getically. He opposed the bill for be-
ing halfway' measure Either
the grand jury is a good thing and
should be retained, or it is bad thing
and should be absolutely abolished, !"
he said. "The statement is made
that there are no grand juries in
Wisconsin and Michigan, - he contin-
there are no grand juries in Russia,
but the common people of Russia are
none the better off. - He asserted
that frequently county attorney is a
man newly admitted to the bar and
untitled to assume grand jury response
| bilities.
Senator George P. Wilson of Mime
apolis spoke at length in favor of the
bill, and responded to the insinuations
relative to Hennepin county, made by
Senator Somerville. Referring to the
grand jury which investigated the Min
neapolis scandal, he said:
cit was a splendid grand jury-to
examine; but not so good for other
purposes. The jury was after the pc
lice and the 'red-light' district. Tho
police and women had no friends t.
speak for them. And now, after it all
what is the result9 Where is the chief
of them all, whose case was considered
eight or ten times7 He is walking the
streets Of Minneapolis today, free
tman!e ... 80, -. ~
Senator Morgan Of Albert Lea made
a vigorous speech for the bill, and Sen
ator Schaller of Hastings talked agains
it. Senator Laybourn then moved thai
the bill be made special order for to
morrow at II am. Senator Sehalle,
asked that his bills be included in thu
special order. They provide that al
accused person may plead guilty ano
be sentenced without Indictment, mere
ly on presentation of the county attor
ney. This was agreed to, and the spe
cial order was agreed to 80 to "a. 1
senate files 90 and 80, and the TIVE
Schaller bills, senate file 80 and SO.