Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1907-09-04
GRAND JURY TO Be COMMENDED.

GRAND JURY TO Be COMMENDED.
1t Says That The People Should Rule AMI
Ought to be Consulted In Regard TO thu
New Court House.
The grand jury for the present
term of Rowan Superior Court de
serves to be highly commended
for the fearless and patriotic stand
it took in the matter of the new
court house. It is no more than
right and proper for the people to
have a'voice in a matter of such i'm
portance and the gentlemen com,
posing the jury have merely voiced
the conviction of a great majority
of our people in making the re-
port as they did. It is as follows !:
"We wish to enter our protest
against the action of the county
commissioners III regard to the
new court house. W. think the
people ought to be consulted in so
important a matter. We think
an election should be held or a
mass meeting be called to get a
full expression of opinion. We
desire the people to rule"
It is said Judge Justice showed
some disappointment with the re-
p,rt, and it is probably within his
jurisdiction to be disappointed,
whether it is in regard to the
building of a new court house in
Salisbury or in the failure to OBJ
tain a drink of coffee just when it
is wanted. But disappointments
do not seem to amount to much
with the Judge. He failed to
open court here Monday a week
ago till noon and the same thing
occurred yesterday while q num-
Der of witnesses and others had to
stay away from their work and
homes merely to satisfy his indif-
ference. We CAL therefore excuse
his disappointments easier than
we can his indifference, the more
so when it Is remembered the erect
ing of a court house is a matter
entirely within the jurisdiction of
the good people of this county,
who, when a court house is needed
will come manfully to the front
and do their full duty, with the
lectures of judges to the contrary
Notwithstanding. Of course Judge
Justice did not mean to Interfere
with the matter nor did he NEAR
to be offensive. W. take 1t that
his intention was just merely an
expression of opinion to 60 at what
it might be worth, and when it is
decided to erect such a building
it would be we'll to seek his and
the advice of others who know
what plaus, specifications are
best. The Judge, however, admits
the people should be consulted in
the matter.
= He says: 81 don't know what
steps have been taken in regard to
the courthouse, but agree with the
grand jury that it ought to be
settled by the people. But this
courthouse is not a credit to the
county. Rowan is zone of the
wealthiest counties that [ have
travelled in and this huuse is not
fit for it's courts to be held in. The
people ought to demand a better
me-. 1 don't know whether this
county is in debt or not, but it
needs a better house and whether
there is agitation or not, the peo-
pie will soon demand it. But
there is no Reuse for the filthy
condition of the grand jury room
and no reason why its condition
should he such as almost to cause
the grand jury to refuse to hold
it's meetings in it as it has been
brought out in this report. 1t
should be kept clean. l am not
running the county's finances, but
I think that money spent in a new
courthouse is as we'll spent as any.
And l have no doubt that when
the matter is put before the people
they will see to it,"
The idea that q comparison
mass meeting be held for the con-
sideration of this mater is a good
one and the people shonld not fail
to insist upon such a step. ct no
man feel that he has 70 part in
the n,atter. He has, AID if the
question is decided i'll che afflrma-
tive, he will haye to pay his part
of it's cost.
1t IS suggested by some one that
a mass meeting be held Oh Satur-
day, September 28th This would
give everybody n CT n to come
in, hear the matter discussed and
register their vote accordingly.