The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1909-09-18
Grand Jury Report.

court. fdflSH 81. wary, houio-
lana.
We, the members OF the Grand
Jury for the Parish of ST. Mary.
beg leave to submit the following
reports:
CRIMINAL MATTERS.
We have Investigated the
various criminal cases brought
before US for consideration and
have found true bills. which have
already been reported.
In the following cases We find
not true bill:
State of Louisiana VS.. Ed.
Dore, charge, manslaughter.
State of Louisiana VS.. Ed. and
Lena Barabin, charge, murder.
State of Louisiana VS.. Bernard
Leblanc, assault with intent to
rape.
State of Louisiana VS.. J. j.
Greenwood, manslaughter.
CONCEALED WEAPONS.
Since becoming Grand Jurors
we have investigated large num-
Der Of crimes and we find that to a
large extent the commission OF
crime is largely the result of the
ma bit of carrying concealed
weapons, and We respectfully re-
commend that your Honor in pass
ing sentence on those convicted Of
carrying concealed weapons assess
both fine and Imprisonment, and
given such sentence as will insure
dis continuance of the habit on
the part of the prisoner.
SUNDAY LAW.
We have not been able to secure
sufficiept evidence on which to
base inc ctments but we are con-
WINGED I bat there are violations OF
the Sunday Law in this Parish,
and we would ask that your Honor
make the punishment for this
violation of the law as severe as
possible. We are unable to see
Why saloon keepers have any
more right to violate the law then
other people, and in our opinion
the Sunday Law is necessary to
the good government of this par
ish.
We are acquainted with the eff
forts of our Sheriff. Wilson T.
Peterman, to enforce this law, and
We most heartily congratulate him
on his success. His efforts and
his methods meet out most earnest
approval and we trust that your
Honor will lend your aid and as
sistaDce in suppressing these
persistent violations of the law.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
We call your Honor's attention
to the fact that the practice of
compromising criminal cases by
justices of the peace and con-
stables has not entirely ceased.
We deem this practice nefarious
and inimical to a proper adz1'r-
istration of the crimic al law, as it
saves no expense to the Parish
and encourages the commission of
Grim. We know, not DIS d Grand
Jury, but from personal expert
ence, that permitting Justices of
the Peace and Constables to COM
promise misdemeanors only en-
courages them to compromise
felonies, and as the compromising
of felonies lessons the punishment,
it is an encouragement to commit
them. We would therefore ask
that your Honor do whatever you
can to prevent such practices.
ROADS.
We would recommend to the
Road Commissioner that he use
all prisoners serving sentences to
work on the roads if it is possible
to do so without too great ex-
pense. We think that heavier
sentences and road work for the
criminals would tend to lessen
crime.
We would call the attention of
the Police Jury to the fact that in
several places, notably in the 7th
ward. the roads have not been
worked for some time and would
ask on behalf of the people living
there that they have these roads
worked as soon as possible.
FRANKLIN DRAINAGE DISTRICT.
Having heard some complaints
as to the Franklin Drainage Com
mission we summoned the Treas
urer before US and he filed his
statement which is hereto attach
ed. We questioned Mr.. Palfrey
closely aud are satisfied that the
Commission has acted in the best
interest of the District.
In conclusion we wish to COM
mend your Honor for the work |
being done by the Court and, also
to thank you for your kind and |
treatment. IF n, xyb lie |