The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-11-10
Citizens of County Endorse Calling Of
Grand Jury.

meeting to consider the calling of a
grand jury, representative citizens from
every township in the county assem-
bled at the armory Wednesday after
noon in considerable numbers. The
grand jury having been actually called
before this meeting was held, kept
away large number who thought no
further action was necessary by the
citizens. Every man who spoke was in
favor of an investigation and all were
glad that the call had been issued and
the action taken without delay or un-
necessary urging.
S. f. Parkill called the meeting to or
der, stating that it had been called to
secure an expression from all parts of
Shiawassee county as to the advisabilitY
of having a grand jury and to urge ac-
tion for the calling of one. The jury
had been called and the meeting could
take up the further steps necessary by
the citizens. They must not cease to
act but back up the officers by advice,
information, and evidence. Attempts
had been made by rumors that politics
was mixed up with the action of calling
a jury, that personal spites were also
the cause, etc to discredit the calling of
the jury, but this had been done prin-
cipally by those who feared their own
acts would be Investigated. The Owos.
30 committee had democrats, republi-
cans, prohibitionists- editors, business
men and clergyman-politics had cut
no figure. Mr.. Parkill was made chair
man; A. B. Cook, who was also nomi
mated, withdrawing, making the selec-
tion unanimous. Chas. A. Whelan, of
Shiawassee township, was made secre-
tary.
A. B. Cook said he had lived here
thirteen years and it seemed to him that
the county administration was costing
too much. He never knew why and
now there was an opportunity to find
out All were willing to pay necessary
cost to run the county but were unwil-
ling to be held up. Knockers had said
nothing would come out of the Ingham
county grand jury, but men were in
dicted and convicted and sent to Jack
son-because they were guilty. If
there are guilty men here let them
also suffer and the county would find it
the best investment of taxes since he
had lived here.
Geo. T. Mason, of Owosso township,
believed nine etenths of the people fav-
ored grand jury. He had found none
against it and all wanted fair but full
and searching investigation.
f. l.. Conn. of Durand, said the people
had been successful in the first skir-
mish, yet the battle is not won; it re-
mains for us to stand up and insist that
the grand jury do its work well. deal
ing squarely with every proposition
presented to it.
G. d. Colby, of Perry, said if there
was anything wrong the people wanted
to know it and stop 1t regardless of ex-
pense. He offered the following reso-
luton and its adoption was moved
Whereas, Mr.. Chas. Hamper has
evinced desire to act in accord with
the wishes of the people of the county
in the matter of calling grand jury,
therefore be it
Resolved, That we express to Mr..
Hamper our appreciation of the course
J he has taken. Be it further
Resolved, That we express to Mr..
Hamper our confidence that, as the legal
representative Of the people, he will
make good" conducting this investi-
cation in thorough, impartial man
ner, probing the business affairs of this
county to the very bottom. Be it
further
Resolved, That we express to Judge
Stearns f. Smith our hearty apprecia-
tion of his act in ordering grand jury.
e. J. Cook was in favor of a
grand jury and in favor of the resolu-
tion, as was d. G. Cooper.
Clayton Cook did not think the Off
GERS had acted until driven to it. Arch
ibald Wrigley, of Shiawassee township,
had heard that Mr.. Hamper had opposed
the investigation, and if so he was
against the resolution. A. B. Cook
said Mr. Hamper had told him he would
ask for grand jury any time the peo-
pie wanted it. c. E. Rigley. Jr., be-
lieyed it would encourage the prose
cutor to pass the resolution.
The resolution was adopted.
E. o. Dewey said Mr.. Hamper need.
ed the assistance of all the people, and
would also need legal assistance which
he thought the court would furn.
ish. He moved that committee of one
for each supervisor district in the
county be selected by the chairman and
, secretary of the meeting. After dis
cussion this motion was adopted.
Geo. T. Campbell said the original
meeting was an Owosso meeting, and
the committee an Owosso committee
but this was a county meeting and he
was glad such a large percentage were
! from the county and thought the new
8 committee should be as the motion
t made IT, representative of the whole