The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1909-04-06
DISTRICT COURT
IN SESSION.
Grand Jury impanneIled and Judge
Delivers Charge Emphasizing Their
Duties and Obligations.
CALLS SPECIAL ATTENTION TO
NEED OF NEW COURT HOUSE.
About 1o0 Cases Nearly All for Minor
Offenses Laid Before Jury for In
VestiGation.


Yesterday morning Judge Camp
bell opened a regular term of
District Court and empanneled a
Grand Jury with A. T. Mouton as
Foreman and The following members
Albert Landry, L. S. Broussard,, Ro-
ger Connolly. Wilhelm Steiner, Gas
ton Francez, F. G.. Cole, Veranus Spell,
a. Olivier, J. r. Reaux, p. r. Du-
pleiX, Hebert Billeaud. Sheriff La
cOste opened court and Clerk St.
Julien read the list of Grand Jurors
drawn for the term. Sam P. Brown
was excused and J. o. BrouSsard and
Luc Leblanc failed 90 answer, but at
terward appeared in time. The clerk
sWOre the Jurors and Judge Campbell
inquired into their qualifications. The
Judge then proceeded to read his
charge calling attention to the sacred
obligations and responsibilities placed
upon the Jurors by the law, and eau
tioning them to do their duty without
fear or favor. Carrying concealed
weapons was prohibited and even Of
f1cers of the law were not allowed to
violate the law. Judge Campbell in
structed the Jury as to the Concubin-
age act OF 1898, the Shattuck law, the
Sunday law, selling liquor to minors
and sale of tobacco 10 minors. 1t was
proper to investigate all public i'm
provements, buildings, and books
The Drainage act of 1908, prohibiting
the obstruction of natural drains was
given attention and the Judge suggest
ed that District Attorney Robira read
this as well as other laws to the Ju-
rors for their information 1t was
duty to- inquire into whether the
school lands had been rented and
whether there had been violation of
the laws governing them. In refer
ence to new Court House the Judge
used the following viaSrous language
Concerning the Court House it is
indeed shame to our parish and
city, it has outlived it's time and is
utterly unfit as temple of Justice
AT this very time and moment we
have no proper place for you, gentle
men of the Grand Jury, to meet and
perform thework allotted to you, and
when you take in view the stride
made in our parish and city and in the
way of improvements, and seeing that
old and dilapidated and unfit Court
House it is a shame to our cOmmuni-
ty, and l dare say, that the Parish of
Lafayette having such poor excuse
for Court House, it is indeed a re-
Election on our Police Jury. A Court
House is badly needed. For years
back the attention of the Police Jury
has been called to this fact, and it
seems that they do not think that a
new Court House is needed. Pre-
viOus Grand Juries have called the at
tention of the Police Jury to this fact,
and ask of you to again remind the
Police Jury of the urgent necessity
OF shortly building a modern and up
to-date Court House."
District Attorney Robira took
charge OF the Jury and that body be-
gan it's investigation at once. About
100 cases nearly all for minor offenses,
were laid before ths Jury, and many
Of these will doubtless be thrown out.
The court room was well crowded
with witnesses, jurors and spectators
when court opened and much interest
seemed manifest