The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1908-01-30
kHALIfAX CRIMINAL COURT.
JUDGE 0. H. Allen PreSldeS.

Halifax Criminal Court, for one
week only convened Monday 9th,
with Judge Oliver H. Allen presid-
ing. Court opened at II o'clock and
Immediately the following grand
jury was drawn:
J. C. Butts, foreman, R. B. Pow
ell, Tom Hopkins, June Tillery, Geo.
T. Herring, N. Morecock, w. D.
Baker, Ernest Morris, w. L. Ivey,
w. R. House, ]. w. Butts, l. D.
Wood, C. D. Hargrove, w. w. Sum-
merell, B. F. Walston, j. L. Barley,
Jesse Rhea, G. S. Sledge.
THE JUDGES CHARGE.
Judge Allen delivered a strong,
clear charge to the grand jury, lay
ing special emphasis on the excel
lence of the jury system, and the
fact that it is the surest and safest
system that could be had for the
correction of crime and the protec-
ton of the people of a great civil
cation like ours.
| He did not enumerate the crimes
that come under the attention of the
grand jury, but made references to
some which he regarded of special
Importance. On the crime of public
drunkenness, Judge Allen said that
while he is not ultra in his position
on temperance, he always talks to
grand juries on this subject. He
cited able authority from England
and this country, showing that in
toxicating liquors are the cause of a
majority Of the crimes in the coun-
try. He urged the grand jury to
pay special attention to looking into
matters Of illicit distilleries. "a
school house will not live close to a
whiskey still. The two cannot stay
together" He charged the grand
jury to make diligent inquiry con-
corning illicit sale of liquor in the
county. He said that Halifax coun-
/ ty has a good population and de-
lserves protection from such evils.
| Special emphasis was laid upon the
|subject of public schools. He said
| that perhaps Eastern North Carroll
! ma is not developing in matters of
| public education as much as Western
North Carolina.
| By reason Of the fact that timber
buyers have been smarter than those
/! who owned the timber of this great
region, the timber has been sold for
much less than it's value; and if the
children of the present age are not
| educated the lands will go like the
timber has gone. Children need edu-
cation in order that they may take a
good stand as citizens on intellectual
and moral questions. From these
considerations, Judge Allen urged
! the grand jury to make inquiry con-
corning the public schools in the
county and how the school money is
| being expended.
Finally, the grand jury were in.
structed to visit the county home in
Ia body, to see that proper prepar.
atoms are made for the comfort of
the unfortunates who have tt
spend their days there. Judge
| Allen said that properly caring fol
the poor has tendency to build ur
patriotic feeling in the county, anc
goes hand in hand with the spirit Of
! education. He said that jackson
county has perhaps the best KEEP
county home in the State immediate
ly on the public road, and near by i
in the town of Webster is one of thu
best schools in the State.
Judge Aliens charge made a fin
impression on all who heard it
Some years ago he held a court il
Halifax and then as now his impress
sion on the public was quite favor
able.
Solicitor Kerr, Clerk Gary, Sheriff
Patterson and his deputies were al
in place, and the work of the cour
moved off smoothly and was pro
crossing with good dispatch.
: The calendar showed about fort,
cases, which, together with new
l cases that may come up, will per
! haps occupy the greater part of tn
E week.
3 Mr.. J. L. Keeter was appointe
1 officer to the grand jury.
The Country Editor.