The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-08
WEAVER TAKES UP
 STRIKE VIOLENCE Important Charge Delivered to
 Grand Jury OAALC ORIAhE IIAO nENnE AOrn
SAYSCRIME HAS DECREASED
JUdge Maintains That Violations of Criminal Statutes Show a 40 Per Cent Decrease Since Prohi-
 btion Went Into Effect.

bition Went Into Effect.
 The criminal court was convened yes- terday morning. but beyond organiz- ing the grand jury and Judge Samuel L. Weaver's charge to that body there was nothing doing. Immediately upon the converting of court the work or organ izing the grand jury was taken up, and Judge B. F. Daniel nemed as chairman
 Other members of the grand jury are:
 F. B. Dismukes, contractor; Tom Mea- ly, special agent c. A. Tyson, broker; J. N. Brophy, clerk; T. ". OBryne, mer- chant; D. H. Vann, farmer; J. B. Allen, watchman; J. D. Duncan, merchant; w. R. Stewart, real estate; w S. Going, real estate; Louis Berger, merchant; W. H. Reynolds, contractor; E. D. Bates. mer- chant; George Carnes, merchant; J. K. P Laird, farmer; W. J. Mims, farmer.
 Judge Weaver went after the violators of the law in strong fashion, the prohi- bition question especially coming in for caustc remarks from him. He made ref
 
 down no ruling in regard to the deliver ing of intoxicating drinks by drays from the depots to consumer on interstate F2shipment
 His remarks along the crime wave re- sulting from the recent coal miners strike were the feature of his charge. He urged the grand jury to probe with all of it's ability into the dynamitng and ambush outrages.
 There is distinction between the two kinds of action you are called upon to take up." said Judge Weaver. "Felonies are those punishable with death or im- prisonment. You must make it the ob- ject of special attention to consider the offenses that come up before you and not the men involved in them. It is your duty to report every act of disorder of which you have any knowledge. Every feeling of sympathy must be laid aside and demerits''
 On Sucject of Prohibition.
 Upon the subject of prohibition he said:
 q have thus given you the law re- lating to this important sub ject min utely because it is so little understood by the people generally. Now, in the execution and enforcement of this law it matters but little and, in fact, does not matter at all, what your private judgment as to the wisdom of this law may be. It is upon our statute books, and was brought about in this county especially, not only by the en- actment of the legislature, but by a popular vote of the people. There fore, you are confronted with a double duty in the enforcement of this law, your duty as jurors in the mainten- ance of good order, and your oaths likewise. You may, in the investiga- tion of this class of crime, be met with much evasion on the part of wit nesses, but your duty in the premises is absolutely clear. It is charged that this law is being violated all over this county. Let us hope that this is not true. If it is, the fact should spur you on to closer work and greater en- deavor, because, if allowed, the open evasion of this law will bring upon you and the administration of the law the condemnation of the people. So in this respect do your duty zealously, conscientiously and without favor and indict all persons where in your judg ment the evidence or testimony In the case sh ows that the law has been vio- lated. I desire to say in this connec- tion that the records of the criminal courts of Jefferson county show great decrease in the violation of the crim- inal law, comparing the same with the first six months of 1907 under the sa- loon law and the first six months of 1908. The figures in this case show about 40 per cent decrease in criminal cases"
 lndict Strike VioIators.
 Upon recent strike troubles he said:
 '"This brings me to the painful duty of calling your attention to the recent troubles that have occurred within the borders of our county. Many lives have been lost and property destroyed, which you will be called upon in your capac- ty as grand jurors to investigate. known 1t Is source of great mortfica- tion to you as citizens of the county that the civil authorities within the last two months have had to be strengthened by the military authorities. With the differences between labor and capital you have nothing to do, and your duty does not require you to find out who was right and who was wrong in that con- test. As to the degrees of homicide. I feel that 1t is unnecessary for me in this connection to give you the law, as the aDle SOllCllOT Ol tle equity WILL pt Nlll you at all times to give you legal ad- vice in this respect. Let us hope by your good example in ferreting out and bring ging to swift justice those who have unawfully taken human lives and de- stroyed personal property shall be brought to swift and condign punish ment. do not believe and l think your Investigations will reveal the fact that these violations have not been committed A .1.a, ,tat, I hal nothing against foreign emigration, with that we have nothing to do, but let us so execute the law that these foreigners who come within our borders may be awakened to a lively sense of their duty as citizens by receiving the punishment they deserve for the violation of the law, If you find such to be the case.
 Cases of Dynamlting.
 .'Gentlemen, it is a serious condition or affairs when an honest hard-working cit