The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-07

fish law should be indicted il the evi-
denee justifies IT,
"12 Your attention Is also called to
section 1881 of the code known as the
anti-pass law, and also to section $3.50
of the code, which prohibits the contri-
button of money by corporations to aid
any political party or candidate. Ii
these, laws have been violated in this
county, II is your duty TO indiet
County Jail and AImshouse
'13. You are required by section 1887
of the code to make a personal inspec
ton of the county Jail and aims house,
to look into the accommodations, health
and safe-keeping of the inmates, to call
upon the Board of Revenue to remedy
bad conditions therein found and TO ad-
wise the county in your report of con-
ditions as you find them.
IA. Please note also sections 72ss,
72S9, 1891 and 1892 of the code, which
requires you to examine into the con-
ditions of the county treasury, and the
official bonds of all county officers,
to examine the sheriffs accounts for
feeding prisoners: TO examine the fee
books of the probate judge to examine
the books and papers of the county
superintendent of education. and gen.
orally to inquire into any breach of
duty or misconduct of county officers.
You are entitled to have free access
to all books and papers of county of
fcers and should fearlessless call public
attention to. all errors and defaults.
Justice of the Peace
rs. Inquire rigidIy into the dockeis
and accounts of justices of the peace in
this county and into the conduct of
these officers, remembering that eevry
of justice is reflection
upon the whole administration of the
law. Indiet in all proper cases and let
the public know your findings of fact
as revealed by your investigation.
"16. Investigate the conduct of all
these officers, remembering that every
law is to exercise high and honorable
calling. If we have grating practices
among our officers, high or low in the
scale. or If there are any over-lords
of vice in city or county expose every
man found guilty thereof. It has been
repeatedly rumored that some officers
of the law have been guilty of taking
advantage of their authority to extort
money from those who dare not ex-
pose them. Two officers have recent |
~ bean accused of robbing a negro en-
the streets Of Birmingham, and two
other officers have just been recon-
mended for dismissal by the commits
sioner of public justice for the taking
of money from negroes, contrary TO
law. Make a thorough investigation
of all such cases Such practices. IL
true, are an outrage on the entire COM
munity. Give the public the benefit of
your investigation and findings of fact |
in these cases; for the lash of public |
opinion alone can finally drive out cor
rnptiop in office.
Indictments
Now, gentlemen of the jury. my duty |
for the present is ended and yours be- |
gin. Call upon either of the Judges |
Of this court and the solicitor for adj
vice and guidance when you reach a |
stumbling block in the law. Your oath |
Of office requires diligent inquiry and |
true presentment of all offenses against |
the law committed within this county, !
that you keep secret the states coun- |
I'll, your fellow jurymen and your own; !
that you leave no man unindicted on |
account of fear affection. reward, or |
the hope thereof; that you indict no |
person on account of envy, hatred or |
malice; and that you present all things |
truly a s they come to your knowledge |
to the best of your understanding. |
officers To be an officer of the |
your high public trust with credit 70 |
and benefit to the orderly |
of the law / submit |
this charge in writing for your guild
ance. You may retire and enter upon |
your labors. WILLIAM E. FORT,
Senior Judge of the Criminal Court of |
jefferson CountVn