The Colorado statesman., 1908-08-29
GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY MAY
CALL OUT TROOPS TO EN-
FORCE LIQUOR STATUTES.
GRAND JURY FAILURE
DENOUNCED BY COURT FOR RE.
FUSlNG TO DO THEIR SWORN
DUTY.

Atlantic City, N. 1.-THE action of
Governor Fort in threatening to send
troops into this famous resort TO en-
force the state liquor statutes unless
the people of Atlantic City observe the
law caused a sensation Thursday
among the residents and summer Wis
itors.
Another sensation was sprung at
Mays Landing, the county seat of At
lantic county, when the grand jury alb
solutely refused to obey the inStruc-
tions of the court to return indictments
against excise violators.
Supreme Court Justice Thomas w.
Trenchard, who had been requested by
Governor Fort to sit with the county
judge, was so incensed at the action
of the grand jury that he instantly dis
charged it with a severe reprimand.
The governors proclamation was
not wholly unexpected, as there had
been rumors for days that he would
resort to the calling out of the militia
if necessary to enforce the excise laws.
Assistant District Attorney Gaskill,
who is here assisting County Prosecu-
tor Goldenburg in the excise cases,
says the governor can call out the
troops, although it is an unusual pro-
clare martial law, he declares, cannot
be questioned. Sheriff Johnson of At
lantic county, Mayor Story of Atlantic
City and County Prosecutor Golden
burg refuse to discuss the situation.
Last Sunday the saloons and cafes,
with but few exceptions, conducted
business as usual.
When the grand jury came into
court Thursday Justice Trenchard ad-
dressed it as follows:
Il understand that all cases have
been presented to you. l have sent
for you in order that the clerk may
take the indictments"
When asked by the clerk if the jury
had any indictments to present. Jo-
seph w. Salus, foreman of the jury,
said that it had no indictments and
that it had not considered all the cases
presented. 1
Justice Trenchard then said that
the court would sit until indictments
were found in the excise cases, and
the jury retired. This caused mild
sensation, as it indicated that the
court intended to bring matters AtoAa
head.
The jurors returned late in the af-
ternoon and presented three :ndict-
menus, TWO against an alleged SaInD-
ling house and one against a man
charged with selling improper postal
cards. Justice Trenchard read the
bills Of indictment and finally threw
them on his desk and said:
81 notice that you have not pre-
sented any indictments for the illegal
sale of liquor OF Sunday. The assist
ant attorney general of the state and
the prosecutor of the county have in
formed the court that they have placed
before the jury evidence which justi-
fies indictments in such cases.
"As no indictments have been found,
it seems to be an indication that this
grand jury has failed in the perform
ance of its duty.
.The court is forced to say that,
considering the instructions of the
court, the state of the law and the
evidence presented, you grand jurors
have failed in the performance of your
duty and have violated your oaths of
Office to the state of New Jersey. You
are discharged for the term
Foreman Salus instantly arose and
took exception to the remarks of the
court.