The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-07-14
Jury of Criminal Court Organized Yesterday.
STRESS ON TEACHERS THEFT
Court Also Speaks Earnest Word
 on Long Pistols.
Tn. Running Down of Illicit DistiIlers Comes in for Some Attention
 Jurors Asked to Act
 without Favor.

The grand jury of the criminal di- vision of the Montgomery City Court was organized yesterday, Judge W. H. Thomas presiding. The following men were elected to serve: w. H. Ruth. foreman; A. J. Jones, W. H. Mead, c. D. Morrison, J. F. Robinson, J.. H. Pearson, J. T. Davis, F. M. Perry, A. Halls, M. F. Sullivant J. M. Rhodes, S. M. Mitchell, H. P. candler, P. G. Neal ]. M. Thornton.
 Before administering the oath, Judge Thomas made an earnest talk to the foreman and grand jury, as a whole .impressing upon them the responsibil- ity of their position and exhorting them to exercise the best talents of true citizenship in the discharge of the duties devoiving upon them.
 very careful and detailed charge was delivered by the Judge, leading to a clear and comprehensive knowledge on their part of the construction to be placed upon the law. In the case of felonies. he declared, the jury should find a true bill, irrespective of the per- sons concerned. Greater latitude might be exercised, he stated, in the case of misdemeanors, but even under this head occurred violations of the law which admitted of no discretionary power.
 AS cases Tn point, ne COiuAucutSo up~ on Section 72S6 of the Code, designat- ing such misdemeanors as infringement of the law, on automobile driving, car- rying concealed weapons, ofhcia1s deal- ing with county clarms. violation of election laws, failure of candidates to report election expenses within thirty days, adulterated candies, gaming, in- Engagement of the game and fish laws, which were of the character referred to.
 A portion of Judge Thomas's charge. in reference to violations of the law by applicants for the position of teachers, to violation of the prohibition laws, and to violation of the statute designed to regulate the carrying of weapons follows.
 You have no doubt seen reference to violation of the law as to having in possession and giving out illegally the examination papers prescribed by law to be submitted to those desiring to teach in the public schools of the State. This Is a most serious matter. ear.reaching in its influence, pernicious in it's practice and result. Give to its investigation all necessary, time to fol- low 1t thoroughly as you may be en- abled to do. I am sure the Depart ment of Education will do what they can to find where the fault is.
 "call those having the matter in hand Def0f0 you anu use dll puWcr ID AoAAoW the matter to it's fountain-head. Do not stop at the simple indictment of a few negro school teachers. who have illegally obtained and had such exam iantions, but consider as well where they obtained them, who was at fault in first violating the law by giv- ing these examinations out. If there is any difference in the degree of guilt at all, the person selling such secrets of the State for a paltry wage would be the guiltier of the two.
 "I would advise you to undertake the investigation of these matters in the earlier stages of your considerations that you may have as ample time therefor as the law and circumstances will permit to find if you can. the source of this temptation to such vio- lations and whether such violations were in Montgomery County; and if 1t should be an unlawful act or trans