Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1913-09-12
TOO MANY CRIMES
Regular September Term of Cir
cult Court Began Today.
GRAND JURY INSTRUCTED
AND BEGINS DUTIES

Very Sensible and Able Charge is De
livered BY Judge Woods to Grand
Jury In Which He Discussed the
Various Crimes and the Punish.
ment ProVided--Many Witnesses
Summonded--Petit jury Reports
Wednesday.
The ~egular September term of cir
cult court conventd Tuesday morning
with Judge J. NJ Woods presiding.
The grand jury as follows was en-
panelled: George NJ. Bowers. fore
man; Gray Silver, C. N. Porterfield,
James II. Fulk, w II. Kilmer, Gaorg
d. Ailens, Warren vanmeter. s S.
Harrison, Frank A. Minor Edward
Bromley, ]. d. Dillon, Jacob Evans,
Turner Pitzer, John Myers. y. r
Spiker and II. S Butts.
Judge Woods delivered a very sen
sble and able charge to the grand
jury In which he pointed out lucidly
their duty, explaining the various
crimes which may have been commit
ted in the county and the penalties
covering such. He said that the jury
was called to inquire into the viola
tons Of the law, and while only one
side of the evidence would be heard
it is their duty to make true returns,
and present no indictments through
malice or hatred, but in all of their
delberation aim to do right
He said that the citizen who obeyed
the law need never fear punishment
because the law protected him, but
1t was the citizen, be he permanent
or temporary. who violated the law
with impunity who must be punished
1t is the 1awless and troublesome ele
ments that must be made understand
they cannot act as they please. be
cause the law-abiding citizen and or
ganize society would not permit such.
In discussing some of the offenses
which might be presented the court
said it would be wise not to con
slider trivial matters, but permit them
to be settled by the justices of the
peace In case they are not given
attention by those officers then the
grand jury should take cognizance OF
them should they be presented
Taking up the crimes of murder
Judge Wodos said that when child
was born and had breathed and en-
joyed the circulation of blood to end
its life was pure murder. OF course
he said, that should plans be carried
into execution to prevent a child from
being born alive that would be abor
ion, but when a child entered the
world alive and it's death was caused
that constituted murder. and it was
the duty of the grand jury TO care
fully inquire into such if reported.
Special emphasis was laid upon the
crime of rape. Very carefully Judge
Woods discussed this crime. and told
what constituted it. He said if eny
such matters were brought to the
grand iurys attention, tnat it would
be better to return an nd ctment for
rape instead of attempted rape be
cause the petit jury after hearing the
evidence. would determine the ma
ture of the crime.
Burglary arson and larceny We're
also touched upon the court going
going into details regarding each
adding that organized society did not
approve of any one of them and de
manded that they be suppressed.
In dealing with the revenue laws
the court said the government needed
revenue end without such could not
exist, but it was the man who held a
license and took advantage of his op
portunities for gain to violate the law
who should be dealt with. He said
he was glad that great many drug
gists refrained from violating the law
covering the sale of spirituous liz
uors.
The man who does not make a true
return of his property to the assessor
such as money in the bank, stocks
and bonds is guilty of a dishonest act
and should be punished The court
said such a man demanded protection
from the government but at the same
time refused to aerp support ii.
In conclusion the question of cor.
norations ctr having their amnloves