The Brandon news., 1910-07-07
JUDGE DOBBS' CHARGE TO THE
GRAND JURY.

ing.
After organizing court and charg
ing the grand jury, court was ad-
journed for the day to give opportun-
ity to those who desired, to attend the
usual 4th of July picnic. The charge
of Judge Dobbs was, clear, forcefui
and entirely free from sensationalism.
Though young in years he presides
with dignity and has gained the re-
spect of both the bar and laity by his
fairness and decision.
Below we are giving a brief sketcl
of his charge to the grand jury:
''The law makes it my duty tc
charge you concerning your duties anc
expound such law to you as | shalE
deem proper and especially the law
concerning various crimes, mentioned
in the Statue, which we will discuss
later | want to say that | am neither
prepared to attempt nor am | qualihel
to give you an obtuse and learned eX
position of the general principles OF
the criminal law, nor discourse on
the theory of our Republican form OF
government, and more especially that
part which relates to the enforcement
OF criminal laws of this land and state
But coming as | am directly from the
bar and the people at this the first
court of your county under tour
years term of Office, having had the
opportunity to discuss and hear dis
cussed the merits and demerits OF
courts and officers and judges, know
ing as | do that there seems to be
growing distrust of the people in the
courts all over the country, and hop
ing, as | hope, that when | shall have
finished my term and have held my last
court, that I will have the goodwill
esteem, confidence and respect of both
the bar and the laity, it is right anc
proper for us all TO have heart tc
heart talk and to understand our re.
spective responsibilities and duties.
Therefore, without attempting any
learned discussion, any display of ora
tory, any attempt at sentimental SEN
Sationalism, or any radical grand-stano
byplays to catch the popular fancy OF
any sect or set, class or clan of people
l want to talk to you very briefly
ju@t as man to man about the situation
as it presents itself to me, the District
Attorney, your peace officers and the
m~od people of Rankin county, at the
beginning OF the administration of {.
new Judge.
Il said there seems to be growing
'distrust among the people of the courts
This distrust and criticism is not con-
fined to our own district or Our own
state, but seems to be absolutely gen
eral. In some instances the criticism
has been more severe than in others
but the errors on which the criticisms
were founded were probably more pal
pable"
His honor then forcefully discussed
the benehcent influence courts should
have and deeply deplored the growing
evil of unnecessary criticism of them
concluding that subject of the charge
by saying:
IF the court makes a mistake, in
a most friendly manner tell him of it
bait for Gods sake don't make bee
line for some conspicuous place and
turn loose the old, old story that the
country has gone to the demition bow
vows and the court is not worth con-
@nental. When the District Attorney
makes a mistake or loses a case, don't
get sour and mad and disgusted ano
unreasonable and don't ride twenty
miles from here to some cross roads
country store and tell the people who
are not here that he's fraud and
Scoundrel, but go to him and tell him
that's all right, old fellow you lost
out in this case, but you will
win in the next. The law-abid-
ing people are all with you Do
your best If the juries don't work
to suit you, don't whisper behind their
backs suspicion of corruption and in
fiuences, but give them to understand
that you are looking to them and trust
ing in them to see that the laws are
upheld-that you have confidence ir
them. You have all seen boys play
base ball. Every fellow on the team
is saying good things to the others
boosting them. The. pitcher is a
prince" theNcatcher peach ano
ON around. Let us all catch the idea
of the base ball boys and help and as
sist each other"
The attention of the jury was ther
called to those crimes the law directs