The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-12
Special Subjects Into which In
vestigation should BE Made
Before Adjournment

good of the county at heart ought to
study this condition and aid in finding
the remedy. Some of our people seem
to have lost respect for law If so,
there is a cause for it, and this cause
must be removed. Much of this trou-
Bile lies in the way the law is ad-
mnistered. The machinery, of our
courts is too slow Justice can GER
tainly be had without reckless waste
Of public time. Our constitution guar
antees speedy public trial, with out
sale, denial or delay. There is Meth
ei justice to the taxpayer nor justice
to. the defendants in the constant pass
ing and repassing of cases on the dock
Ell of the court. Let them be prompt
| ~ tried and heavy cost bills will be
saved both for the county and the
defendants. Men will not violate the
lew with impunity if they know they
Will have to face speedy public trial
in our courts.
Arrests for Trivial Ofenses
"There is another serious evil in our
system. There are hundreds of ar
rests made every year for trivial Of
lenses, and our dockets are crowded
with l-considered prosecutions, which
are finally dismissed, to the heavy cost
of the county. I am afraid the sys-
tenn provides too great AN inducement
to prosecute people without just cause
and no sufficient check is provided upon
indiscriminate arrests. There should
be vigorous prosecution of every man
who violates the law, but frivolous
and mercenary arrests should be stern
ly suppressed Our present method
seems neither just, economical nor bus
inesslil1e.
by section 1906 of the code the So
licitor is required to attend the ses-
siohs of the grand jury and he viii
gladly do so when requested by you.
He may attend your sessions whenever
he sees fit for the purpose of exam
ming witnesses in your presence, OF
giving you legal advice as to any
matter which may come before you
but the law requires that the solicitor
shall not be present at the expressions
of your opinions or at the giving OF
your votes on any matters before you.
By local act applying to this county
a stenographer is employed by the So
licitor TO take down and transcribe the
testimony of witnesses before you ami
he must be sworn to keep all the pro-
ceedings secret. He is not entitled by
law to be present during your DELHI
erations, or when you are voting on
any matter, but is allowed in the grand
jury room only for the purpose OF
taking down the testimony, and when
this task is completed he should re-
tire.
1.-The code makes it my duty to give you
the following laws in special charge, and
to advise you that you have no discre-
ton but to indict in case said laws are
violated, II the evidence is sufficient tc
justify Indictment:
Carrying Concealed Weapons
"The law against carrying concealed
weapons should be rigidly enforced. There
is no necessity for man to carry dead.
ly weapon on his person, unless he has
good reason to expect an attack. Every
few days some man loses his life in this
county on account of the violation of thi.
law. The dockets of this court are full
of cases which have their origin In G
wanton disregard of human life, coupled
with an easy access to concealed weap
ons. Good citizens have gone down Il
untimely graves because this law ha.
not been obeyed. I earnestly urge YOU
to use your best efforts TO suppress Thu
serious evil, which has wrought sucl
havoc in our midst.
Reckless Speeding of Automobiles
1.-The law against reckless speeding o
automobiles is contained in section 6322
6327 of the code. These machines ar
instruments of pleasure and convenience
but the law requires that they shall b
SO used as not to injure others. Many goo
citizens take perious chances with thes
machines in crowded streets, and fatal ac
cidents often occur, or are but mar
rowly averted. Human life is dearer tina
the pleasure of the hour or the necessi
ties of business, and a broken limb 0
shattered body cannot be replaced. TIL
grand jury should investigate all viola
tons of this law and indict guilty par
ties where the evidence is sufficient.
The Prohibition Law
1--WE have very stringent laws agains
the manufacture, sale, giving away, G
other unlawful disposition of spirituoui
! vinous or malt liquors. All officers shoul
10 their full duty in the enforcement
this law. 1t is not question for jur
or a court to decide whether a give
law Is wise. perfect, ors expedient. Law
can be enacted changed or repealed onl
: by the legislature of the state, never b
! the courts. The grand jury should il
( | vegtigate every case where the prohib
: ton law has been violated and prompt
> indict all offenders. II the evidence jul
titles Il, the law leaves you no discr
ton but to indict. 1t is a misdemeant
y to sell whisky, wine or beer in this stat
y and punishable by fine imprisonmeI
= in proper case. Every man, charged wit
violating this law, is guaranteed fair ar
impartial trial in our courts, and ever
n right established by the constitution.
a innocent he will go free. If guilty
can ask no more and receive no less tha
: the punishment provided by law. Cour
t are established to find out the truth
Q | every case, and then administer justi
: with firm and steady hand. Prevaiir
: discussions and the opinions of Of
friends, for or against the law. shou
neither affect judge nor jury in the di
charge of their sworn duty. Law
greater than any man, and its due obser
ance more important to us all than al
+ political consideration
: Dealing In County Claims
by Section 7430 of the code 1t is mat
/. an offense against the law for any pu
: lie officer, deputy. assistant or clerk Their
|. of. either directly or indirectly. by hin