The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-22

guard the witnesses who will appear
and testify before the special grand
] jury IN the investigation of the trans
action of the socalled beef trust. So
great is the desire of the federal Off
Gals to maintain a strict secrecy in
the investigation that every witness
who testifles before the inquisitorial
BODY VIII be closely guarded by one
OF the secret service men to prevent
his being approached by newspaper
men or agents of the packers. c. B.
Morrison. who was appointed district
attorney to succeed S. H. Bethea re-
Gently appointed district judge, de-
claPed that any person detected speak
ing to or inquiring the name of any of
the witnesses will be liable to con-
tempt of court. Twenty men have
qualified as grand jurymen and the
federal officials hope to be able to
complete the list of jurymen today.
Ou have been subpoenaed for a
most important service for the public,
one of the most important that comes
to the lot of an American citizen, .
were the words used by Judge J. Otis
Humphrey, in the United States dis
trict court, in beginning his instruc-
tions to the jury The panel stood be-
fore the judge and listened to his in
structions with an intentness that was
impressive while a score or more of
spectators listened with almost as
much gravity.
Judge Humphreys instructions to the
jurors were the most rigid ever given
in the federal court of the northern dis
trict, according to the opinion of law
yerS who have been practicing in the
court for years. They enjoined the ut
most secrecy, and the most particular
precautions to insure against publicity
body while the investigation is under
way In testing the qualifications of the
jurors Judge Humphrey exercised un-
usual care to prevent the acceptance OF
a juror whose private interests might
thwart the ends of justice.
Fifteen jurors were accepted yester-
day tentatively, and the others were
excused for reasons defined by the
go because they were over 6 5 years of
age One was excused on the ground
that he was a stockholder in a rail-
road company, and another one was
disqualified in the opinion of the court
because he was a stockholder in a
private car company
Judge Humphreys preliminary charge
to the jury was almost wholly confined
to instructions as to secrecy. He said:
Gentlemen: You have been sub
poenaed here to perform a most import
ant public service. It is one of the most
important public services which comes
to the lot of an American citizen. You
have not yet been sworn in, but from
the examination before me you can
gather the scope of the investigation
you are to make.
therefore charge you that between
this time and the time you are sworn
as grand jurors you will not converse
among yourselves about this investiga-
ton or your service and will not allow
other persons to talk to you about it. If
any person undertakes to talk to you
about it, tell him that you have been
summoned to serve on this jury, and
are not to hear of the subject except
ing in the juryroom and the court
If the person persists in talking
about it. move awayz if he still per-
sists, identify him anu report it to this
court. If talk. on this subject is going
on in your presence, move away. OBJ
serve carefully these Instructions
The investigation will be di-
Morrison and the jury will hear the /
testimony in the district court room
on the third floor of the Monadnock
building. The jury room will be I
guarded by Deputy Marshal Thomas
Currier, who has been watching juries I
for years. and Deputy Marshal Grif- +
fifth. The witness room will be in
charge of Deputy Marshal Buckner.
Judge Humphrey charged the jury, I
one from envy, hatred or malice, nor
to leave anyone unDresented for fear,
favor, affection, reward or hope Of re-
ward.
The charge to the jurors was deliver
ed in a most impressive manner and
was listened to with deep interest.
Judge Humphrey said:
This body stands between the up
right and honest citizen and the ma
Iicious accuseF. You are saviors of rep
utation as well as the body through
which the honest accuser obtains just
Inquiry. !