Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-20

The special grand jury of nineteen
men instructed to investigate the mat
ter whether or not public officials in
the city of Los Angeles have during
their incumbency in office been
guilty of any offense against the law,
and, with the scope of its work linz
tied to that question, was sworn in by
Presiding Judge w. P. James of the
superior court yesterday
Five hours later, after session de-
scribed by one of the jurors as "stren-
uous in the extreme" an indictment
was returned, bench warrant for the
arrest of the accused issued and the
jury adjourned until 10 o'clock Mon
day.
Excitement, suppressed and ex-
pressed, prevailed in the court mouse
and was evident throughout the city
yesterday. From g. o'clock in the
morning, a half hour before the time
set for the selection of four additional
men tc makeup the required number
of grand jurymen, until 5 in the after
noon, the corridors in the county build
ing were we'll filed, and Watchers evil
IDENTIFY employed to watch every pro-
ceeding. were in frequent telephone
communication with persons whose
names may be included in the record
of the grand jury's work. either as
witnesses or heading an indictment.
Jury Soon Completed
The four men needed to make up the
specill investigating body were select
ed in a comparatively short time. Dis
trict Attorney Fredericks, accompanied
by three of his deputies, Messrs. Nc
Cormick Horton and Ford, was pres
ent in the court room to watch tho
proceedings in which he will take an
active part. AS completed the grand
jury is as follows:
J. E. Fishburn, foreman; D. E. Well
come. secretary; Albert c. Jones,
Luther Ober, ]. A. Henderson, j. w.
Calvert, Clifford c. Doran, M. j. -dc-
Dermott, James Montgomery, Robert
M, Miller, Andrew Osgoodby, John j.
Seymour. J. L. Snavely, J. E. Shuey,
Steven Townsend, F. A. Powell, c. F.
w. Palmer, Jesse Payne and Charles
Yeaton.
Judge James instructions to the jury
contained more than 1000 words. They
are as follows:
Gentlemen: The statutes of this
state provide that whenever the
public interest seems to require it
the superior court shall direct
grand jury to be drawn and en-
paneled for the purpose of inquir-
ing into public offenses committed
within the county. You have been
brought together pursuant to the
provisions of the law for the pur-
pose mentioned, and particularly
for the purpose of investigating
the matter as to whether or not
public officials in the city of Los
Angeles have during their incum-
bency in office been guilty of any
offense against the law which is
cognizable by your body.
Many offenses committed within
the county are proper subjects for
consideration by a grand jury, but
I shall limit the work OF this grand
jury to the particular matter of
examining into the question as to
whether or not there have been Of
fenses committed by any person
who is now occupying an office or
who has recently vacated such Of
flee within the city of Los Angeles.
Must BE Diligent
In the prosecution of this inves-
tigation you will be diligent and
thorough. You will examine all
witnesses who may be found whom
you have reason to believe will fur
nish testimony competent and rele-
want to such inquiry You should
enter upon the investigation with
out any preconceived convictions
or conclusions as to the guilt or in
nocence of any person under in
vestigation. The law designs that
you shall be impartial and un-