The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-17
MINORITY OF JURY ASKS IMPEACHMENT
 s0F SHERIFF HIGDo N
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 a case once heard and determined by
 the grand jury. In this case each witness
 was questioned closely, and in every in- stance where it developed in the evidence
 that the accused parties were guilty of other crimes than those docketed, the clerk of the grand jury was informed to cocket such cases, which was done. We ask the public what good could have been accomplished in going over and rehashing this evidence at a great expense to the county. We did go so far as to have
 some of the witnesses brought back to feel sure that we had indicted under every offense possible, and in each case the witness testified to the fact that he had previously told the grand jury all he knew about the matter, and Knew nothing new to testify to- We felt that we had done our duty in the matter, and
 therefore for the sake of saving the coun- ty all expense possible, we refused to again go into case where there was nothing new to be developed.
 Work Before Election. 10. We have also had brought to our attention, and 1t Is a fact from the evi- dence adduced before us, that the sheriff during his recent race for the office he now holds, went out into the community and solicited young men who had never belonged to a military company to accept, without being properly elected a member of the military, certificate stating to the judges and clerks of election, as well as the citizens of the county, that such young man was legally entitled to vote in the election, when in reality the young men were carried to the headquarters of Sheriff Higdon where blank certificates had been signed up by l.. C. Brown, the now chief deputy sheriff of the sheriff, and in companies which the said BroWp
 was not officer and there they were filled in for the different companies add ing the name of the young man. Is this right? Is it right for the sheriff of county, the conservator of the peace, and man the people look to for the uphold Ing of the laws of the state, to go out In community and entice young men to commit crime? For what purpose did the sheriff do this, was it for the purpose
 of illegally gaining office, or what? Now in conclusion we feel that 1t Is due 1 the county and the court, as well as our selves, to come before the public square | ly and fairly, however much we may re- 1 gret 1t, setting out what we believe to 1 be right, and what under our oaths as l grand jurors we endeavored to do, but for
 the action of the following grand jurors: ' | nclds, Vann, Laird.
 We respectfully submit to your honor this our report, and for the above causes set out we say that the sheriff ought to be removed from office, and impeachment proceedings instituted for that purpose at once, as provided by law. c. A. TYSON, E. B. DISMUKES, J. N. BROPLY, THOMAS MEAT,EY
 The maiorit. report of the grand jury Is as follows:
 To the Hon. Samuel L. Weaver, Judge of i the Criminal Court of Jefferson County 1 Alabama:
 1 We, the grand jury empanneled by
 your honor on September '. 1908, beg leave ] to make this our final report: l We were in session 52 days; have ex-
 amned ATS cases; have docketed 530 cases; l have returned 233 true bills and have 1 found PIP TO bills and by reason of our 1 inability to set material witnesses before
 Us we are compelled to ask that your
 honor continue 30 cases; 1492 witnesses ex-
 amined.
 We have examined the books of the
 county officers, as well as their bonds,
 and find same are in conformity with the | law insofar we are able to determine
 in the limited time allowed for this pur- l pose.
 County Jall.
 l We find tho jaii in fairly good condition,
 but We recommend that the jail be
 equipped wlta better and more up-to-date l sanitary system, as we find the present
 one inefficient and a menace to the health
 Of the inmates We also recommend that | the colored section of the jail be thor
 oughly scraped and painted, as has all
 ready been dono In the white section. We
 believe that the prisoners are well fed 1 and cared for.
 From the record kept by the warden
 we get the following information, which | we believe is due in a large part to the