The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-09-01

triet of Alabama for the May term. 1so7. of the said District Court of the United States beg leave to report to your honor that we have examined during this term seventy cases and that we have found forty-two indict- ments. which are herewith returned into open court.
 Thanks Are Expressed.
 We also desire to thank the court for it's clear and comprehensive charge on the subject of opstructipg justice and of disobeying the process of the court.
 We are glad to report that no vio- lations of the laws of the United States, which your honor gave us specially in charge have come to our knowledge. We confidently believe that the love of our people for the institutions of our country, and the blessings of lib- erty. regulated by law wsll cause all good citizens to discountenance and discourage any sentiment of disregard for the Constitution and laws of the United States, or harmful agitation at time when. above all things, the people need rest.
 we wish to thank the District At- torney. the Assistant District Attor- ney our foreman the secretary and the bailin for the uniform courtesy and the efficiency with which they discharg- ed their respective duties.
 And now having finished all our labors at this term of court, we re- spectfully submit this report to your honor and ask to be discharged.
 Thomas Howe,
 Foreman.
 It was after the reading of the re- port that Judge Jones detained the ju- TOTS few minutes to explain his sol- emn duty that prompted the former charge. Judge Jones said:
 "Gentlemen:--whethe the constitu- ton and laws shall be obeyed and the tribunals it appoints to expound them to be overthrown or defled, presents an issue far too sacred and vital to our civilization to be viewed from parti- san or political standpoint, as has been so frequently attempted of late.
 Grave Duty of Jadge.
 There comes a time to every man entrusted with grave public responsi- bilities, when, if need be, he should sacrifice self to prevent harm to a people whom his discharge of duty con cerns. Such duty came to the judge of this court, and he met 1t by the special charge given you, as to obstrue- tionsa to justice and resistance to the process of the court
 Numbers of our good people had been incensed, almost beyond bounds with the cry that sacred rights of the State had been usurped, and its local affairs wantonly meddled with. because a high court of competent jurisdic- tion. in which the issue as to a prop erty right was pending and awaiting decision. made orders to protect its Jurisdiction, and to prevent the con- fusion, disorder, injustice and conflict of authority, which might otherwise have resulted.
 Tt was a time when the court owed a high moral duty to the people of this State to call their attention to certain truths which would disabuse their minds of wrongful impressions. and thus get their active, moral support on the side of the supremacy of the law.
 It was also its duty to point out to those who might not listen to req son, the evil consequences to them and the interest and good name of our State, from open resistance to the pro- cess of the court. or indirect efforts to defy its orders under the form of invoking the jurisdiction of other courts, and thus usurping the jurisdic- tion of this court as to a case pending here, and which 1t alone has authority to decide.
 ''The enlightened public opinion of . just and brave people has needed the appeal There is no longer insistence that the rights of suitors in this court shall be decided elsewhere, but there is insistence that the orders of this court, however distastefuI they may be 10 some, shall be respectede until se' aside or reversed by the orders of some higher court which has rightful super vision of this court.
 If, as undoubtedly has been the case the action of the court in this matter has aided in bringing about these hap py results, 1t Is of small consequence that partisan abuse has been heaped upon the judge, who, in the discharge of his sworn duty, has striven to keep the peace and save the people from caiamities. by warning them against unwise counsels.
 ''The court greatly appreciates your expressions as to the wisdom of the charge given you, and extends to you its sincere thanks. Wishing you a safe return to your homes and families, you are now discharged for the term"
 The clerk of the Federal Court has not yet classified the indictments re- turned by the grand jury and it will probably be several days before the names of the defendants on bond or in jail will be given out.