The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-22
Federal Laws Must Be
 0beyed. APPEALS FOR SOBER
 THOUGHT BY CITIZENS Points Out That Court Acted Entire ly Within Jurisdiction.
  ynstructs Jurors to Diligently Inquire Into Any cases of Attempted In- terference With or Resistance of Processes of United
 states Court.

In a charge to the grand jury that assembled in. the United States Court in Montgomery yesterday afternoon, in which no mincing of words is indulged in, Judge Thomas G. Jones instructs true presentment make of every offense which may be laid before you or brought to your knowledge concerning resistance to the process of the court or efforts to obstruct or impede the due administration of justice"
 The court. in his charge to the jury, reviewed at some length the contro- versy that has arisen between some State officials and the Federal Court detailing the manner in which the cases were brought to the attention of the court, the course pursued by the attorneys for the State in not resist ing the issuance of restraining orders, their failure to take appeal. and the subsequent course of the State officials for four months in permitting the matter to lie perfectly dormant
 Then suddenly the whole question Is revived, and a certain public clamor is aroused against the Federal Court for ''fnterfering" with the operation of the State laws, which Judge Jones points out would have been done by any State. court similarly appealed to, and cer- tain persons are now threatening overt acts of resistance to the processes of the court, by causing the arrest of per- sons acting under the protection of its injunction.
 The text of the United states statutes which provide heavy punishment for every person who so interferes with the processes of the Federal Courts was read to the grand jurors. Any person who Knowingly and wilfully obstructs. resists or opposes any officer of the United States in serving any process' is made subject, by Section bS9S of the Federal Statutes, to im- prisonment for not more than twelve months and fine of not more than $500.
 The following section, also read to the jury. provides a punishment of fine of not more than $500 or by im- prisonment not more than three months, or both, for any person who "corruptly or by threats or force en- deayors to influence, intimidate or im- pede any witness or officer in any court of the United States in the discharge of his duties, or corruptly or by force or threats obstructs or impedes or en- deavoFs to instruct CT impede the due administration of justice"
 The Court reviewed the litigation and in various terms pointed out that no question of States rights is involved in the controversy. The cases clearly come within the Jurisdiction of the Court. and are as clearly within those classes prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, the Fundamental law of both Nation and State, as grant ed by the States to the Federal Gov ernment for regulation.
 The terrible consequences. that must ensue, should the orders of the Court be disregarded and disobeyed. are pointed out by the Court in the charge
 Grand Jury Organized.
 The session of Court was convened at o'clock yesterday afternoon. There had been eleven members of the regu- lar venire of grand jurors who had no legal excuse. and twelve members of the special Yenire were sworn in to. act with them, making grand jury of tWenty-three members. Thomas Howe was made foreman.
 The list of jurors is as follows:
 Thomas Howe, foreman; R. B. Snod- grass William H. Jackson, A. T. Good wyn, G. M Oliver Joseph W. Powell Mike Graham, Robert Willoughby, W. W. Leak. J. L. Scott, George M. Pow ell, T. J. Graves W. D. Whetstone, Wm. H. Barrett J H. Hickman, J. D. Sims. wm P. Holley, A. M. Cameron, W. c. Harris, B. C. Gibson, J. A. Page. J. w. Cooper. A. R. McCarley
 s As soon as the jury had been organ ized Judge Jones began his charge He first instructed them verbally as to their duties in current matters. involv- ing ordinary violations of the Federal statutes
 After speaking for perhaps five min utes the Judge began reading his for mai charge, regarding the opposition to orders of the Court. Instantly there was a hush fin the court room and the few men who were present listened lntently as he proceeded.
 The charge was the subject of con- siderable discussion the remainder of the evening.
 It Is in full as follows:
 To Watch for Resistance.
 Gentlemen of the Grand Jury: when you were summoned some time ago. the court announced to many of your members to induce them to forego ex- cuses; that your duties would neces- sitate only short absence from your homes and families. Recent events will compel the court to detain you here some time, watching, 1t may be, for overt acts of resistance to the pro cess of the court, which some now threaten in the near future.
 Tn that event, the court will need your aid, in putting the machinery of the law in motion against such of them as cannot be more properly reach ed by the summary powers of the court The situation here is so abnormal, so uncalled for, so unwise, so detrimental to the welfare and peace of our peo- ple, that the court feels compelled by a high sense. of duty to call your atten- tion to 1t.
 seopna months ago. twelve suitors