Bridgeton pioneer., 1910-12-29

institutions of our county. He called
upon the Bar to devote their powers to
these things and resolve that their
efforts should be more and more de-
voted to those things.
He therefore moved that these pro-
ceedings be noted upon the minutes of
this Court.
Judge Endicott said the motion
would be received and its consideration
be taken up later.
The historical sketch of the Court
House in Cumberland county was Civ
en- by VIM. A Logue, President of the
Bar Association of this county. He
said that the first court house was
erected in 1852, the county being or
ganized in 174S. The erection of the
second and third court houses were
then detailed, and in this he was
somewhat humorous, provoking laugh
ter once or twice. He quoted from
Judge L. @. c. Elmer's and Charles E.
Sheppard's historical sketches of Cum
berland County as relating to the
court house and the courts. He noticed
the two most celebrated trials held in
the last court house The one before
Judge Alfred Reed, in which was
celebrated murder trial, and the other
the recent no less celebrated case.
though not criminal, of the suit against
the West Jersey & Seashore railroad
company for damages for a fire. Mr..
Logues address was very full and
comprehensive.
The Court, at its conclusion, invited
remarks or expressions from the bar.
County Solicitor Roscoe C. Ward, in
reply, gave an account of the building
of the present new court house, the
causes calling for it's erection and the
action of the Board of Chosen Free
holders in building it. He said, in all
its work no word of complaint or con-
demnation has been heard over the
beautiful building.
Judge Tuller then called attention to
the action of the Court and Grand Jury
two years ago, when condemnating ac-
tion was taken by the Grand Inquest
on recommendation of the Court; how
the old court house was condemned on
account of its unsanitary and unsafe
conditions. 1t was a pleasure now, he
said, to give expression of his gratifi-
cation on the successful completion of
the building.
Supreme Court Justice T. w. Trench
ard gave lengthy address in connec-
ton with the dedication of the beauti-
full building. He said it was fitting
that such a proceeding as now had
should be taken. The people are proUd
of the new building; the courts record
in this county is a matter of pride and
honor from the days OF Joseph Bloom
field to the present time.
Mr.. Bloomfield was the first States
Attorney General. He eulogized the
Bar of the county and had word of
praise for Jersey Justice. "It is
pleasure" he said in conclusion, chat
the Court grants the motion of the
Prosecutor that these proceedings be
made a record on the minutes of the
Court"
The Grand Jury was then sworn.
The Judge said in part: Gentlemen of
the Grand Jury. The functions of the
Grand Jury are of considerable impor-
tance and responsibility. 1t is an aux
iliary and aid of the court; it's duty is
to examine into criminal matters and,
in finding sufficient evidence of guilt
to indict the offender. 1t is not the
province of the Grand Jury to try the
defendant, but simply to indict, and
let the Court and trial jury do the rest.
The duty of keeping secret the ac-
tions of their body was dwelt upon by
the Court; the manner of obtaining the
evidence was given in detail, running
up from the office of the Justice of the
Peace, also in cases where complaints
are brought before the Grand Jury di-
rectly, outside of the Magistrates court
which the Grand Jury should investi-
gate. Also in cases which are so no.
torious as to come to the knowledge
of the Grand Jury without formal pre-
sentation; such cases should be inves-
tigated by the Grand Jury, and it does
not matter if other Grand Juries have
noticed the matter.
The Grand Jury, he continued, has
no responsibility as to the law. The
laws are made by the Legislature and
the Grand Jury has no occasion to put
any constructions upon the law.
Court adjourned for today.
CHRISTMAS nRTINKC