Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1914-07-10
Bnbo Men ExulG

Btlno Men eEuE6
While the II free-bOrn American
citizens who have been caught so far
on the panel upon which a jury is be-
ing built up for g trial on the charge
Of bribery against Thee. G. Bflbo were
imprisoned within the precincts Of
Kinds County's temple Of justice,
with certain restrictions placed upon
their liberties, there doomed up GER
tain probabilities in regard to whether
or not a petit jury will be required.
A. casual survey of the situation leads
the man to the conclusion that there
may be no occasion for a jury, in view
Of the allegations filed. II the testi.
mony to be taken by Judge Teat
should sustain the affidavit Of Grand
Juror Tvargosky of Warren County
that District Attorney Thames in any
way contributed to the finding of the
Bilbo indictment otherwise than as
the duly constituted legal adviser to
the jury, 1t Is held by members of the
bar and students of the court proceed
ure that the indictments would be null
lifted.
1t is the purpose Of the presiding
judge to make a thorough and impair
tial investigation, and he. has directed
s%ubpoenas for all persons presumed to
be able to throw light on the situar
ton. Attorneys for the defense have
cited ample authority for procedure
in such cases. and the force Of these
was recognized by Judge Teat. The
weight of law and authority, contend
ed the lawyers for Defendant Bilbo,
is with them In their contention that
the district attorney has nothing to
do with the findings of fact upon
which a grand jury bases its returns
to the court. He is their adviser as
to what facts as they may develop in
the course Of inquiry may constitute
a crime or m~isdemeanor against the
law. Beyond that, they contend, that
officer may not go in developing in
dictments.
The prosecution, on the other hand,
contends that the district attorney is
and should be clothed with discretion.
airy powers when in conference or ad-
vising with the grand jurors, other
wise, how are the laws which such
officer has reason to believe are be.
ing Haunted or violated to be en-
forced?
Mr.. Tvargosky, the grand juror who
has thus been flashed on the screen
upon which is being depicted the Bill
DO drama, 1t is understood, while not
actually r%epudiating the allegations
contained in the affidavit to which his
name is affixed, has publicly stated
that the statement was procured un-
der a certain species of false pre-
tense. Much interest. therefore, is
manifested in what he may tell the
court when he takes the stand on
Monday afternoon, or whenever he
may be put on.
The Bilbo men are wearing a salts
fed and hopeful expression, much
more pronounced than at any time
since the proceedings which the in
lection OF this new matter interrupt
ed, and 1t is held to be the most de-
cisive victory they have won since the
case was started.
The eleven tentative selected jurors
were given the run Of the court room
precincts, and were not kept cooped
up in the limits Of one apartment.
Deputy Sheriff M. A. Kramer, with
three assistants, stood watch and
ward over the men, conducting them
to and from their meals and attend
ing to their necessary telephone calls
to their homes or lodging places.
Sheriff Middleton, anticipating some
such crisis as a locked up jury during
the Bilbo trial, had taken extra are
to have every convenience provided,
including the plumbing, the furnish
ing and cleaning up of the bath room
and installing of electric fans.