Arizona republican., 1908-08-28
Reform at Atlantic City Has Caused a
 Strenuous Situation
Failure of the Jury to Indict Alleged ViOIatOrs of the Excise Laws May End in Governor Calling Out tue Troops.

Atlantic City, Aug 27.- The action of Governor Fort in threatening to send troops into this famous resort to enforce the state liquor laws, unless the people of Atlantic City observe the law, has caused a sensation today among the residents and summer visi- tors. Another sensation was sprung at Mays Landing. the county seat of Atlantic county, when the grand jury absolutely refused to obey instructions of the court to return indictments against excise viOlators
 Supreme Court Justice Trenchard, who has been requested by the gOver- nor to sit with the county judge, was so incensed at the action of the jury that he instantly discharged it with a severe reprimand
 The governors proclamation was not wholly unexpected, as there have been rumors for days that he would resort to calling out the militia if necessary to enforce the excise laws Assistant Attorney General Gaskill, who is here assisting the county prosecutor in the excise cases, says the governor can call troops, although it is an unusual proceeding. The governors power to declare martial law. he says, cannot be questioned.
 Sheriff Johnson of Atlantic county. Mayor Story of Atlantic City. and County Prosecutor GOldenberg. tonight refused to discuss the situation. Last Sunday saloon cafes. with but few ex- captions conducted business as usual When the grand jury came into court today, Justice Trenchard addressed it as follows:
 T understand that all cases have been presented to you. I sent for you in order that the clerk may take the indictments"
 When asked by the clerk ie the jury had any indictments to present Joseph w. Salus, foreman. said he had not at this time, that he had not considered all the cases presented Trenchard said the court would sit until the indictments were found, and the jury retired. This caused a sen satiOn, as it indicated the court in tended to bring matters to a head The jurors returned late this after ternoOn and presented three indict- ments. two against an alleged gamb- ling house, and one against a man who is charged with selling obscene postal cards.
 Trenchard read the bills of indict- ment and finally threw them on the desk, and said: T notice you have not presented any indictments for the illegal sale of liquor on Sunday. The assistant attorney general and prosecutor of the county have in formed the court that they placed before the jury evidence which justi- fies indictments in such cases. As no indictment has been found, it seems to be the indication that this grand jury has failed in the perform aIce of it's duty. The court is forced to say that considering the instruc- tions of the court, the state of the law and evidence presented, you grand jurors have failed in the per fOrmance of your duty, have violated your Oaths of office to the state. You are discharged for the term"
 Foreman Salus took exception to the remaks of the court AS grand jurors we feel our responsibility. We are willing to stand before God and say we feel we performed our duty and have not violated our oaths. We rep resented the will of the people of At Iantic county We feel that we are supreme and without affront; we feel