The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-05-26

by an exceptionally strong and able
charge by Judge Sheppard to the
grand jury, which had been empaneIled
with L. Hilton Green as foreman. The
authority of the jury to the public
was explained at length and the laws
under which national banks onarated
and their duties to the public as well
as the protection the government owes
the latter
Several indictments were returned
during the day by the jury. but to
summoned the suspension Of the First
National Bank has not vet been con-
stdered by the jury. It is the general
belief however, that this will be done.
JUDGE SHEPPARD'S CHARGE.
Judge Sheppard's charge to the
jury was as follows:
Gentlemen of the grand jury:
1t Is a long established usage of
courts to charge grand juries when
organized; l will undertake to in
struct you briefly as to some of the
powers and duties of your body un-
der the statute laws Of the United
States.
The institution of grand juries. as
has been said, was of very ancient
origin in the history of England It
goes back many centuries For long
period of time its powers were not de-
nned, and 1t would seem from the ac-
counts by the commentators on the
laws Of that country that it was at
first a body which not only accused
but which also tried public offenders
However, this may have been in it's
origin, II was at the time of the set
tlement Of the colonies an informing
and accusing tribunal only, without
whose previous action no person
charged with a felony could, except in
certain special cases be put on trial.
In the struggles which at times
arose in England between the powers
of the king and the rights of the peo-
pie, II often stood as a barrier against
prosecution in the kings name; until
at length, it came to be regarded as
an institution by which the subjects
were rendered secure against oppres-
sion from unfounded prosecutions of
the crown.
In this country from the popular ma
ture of our institutions fortunately,
there has seldom been any contest be-
tween the government and the citizen
which required the existence of a grand
jury as a protection against oppres-
sion by the governing power. Yet, the
grand jury has been adopted in this
country and is continued from con-
siderattonS similar to those which
gave to it its chief value in England,
and IS designed as a means, not only
of bringing to trial persons accused OF
public offenses upon just grounds, but
also as a means of protecting the citi-
zen against unfounded accusation,
whether it comes from the govern
ment or be prompted by partisan pas
sion or personal enmity.
No person shall be required, accord
ing to the constitution of the United
States, except in cases mentioned, to
answer for any of the higher crimes,
unless a grand jury, consisting of not
less than sixteen and not more than
twenty-three good and lawful men, Sc
lected from the body of the district.
shall declare upon careful elaboration,
under the solemntty of an oath, that
there is good reason for his answer
ing an accusation and trial.
POWER is UNLIMITED.
Therefore, 1t becomes the duty of
this grand jury to inquire into all mat
tiers charged to be crimes or offenses
committed and triab1e IN the North
ern District of Florida, and your pow
err in this respect gentlemen, il I'M
limited.
crimes and offenses cognizable under
the authority of the United States,
committed in the Northern District of
the State of Florida, or upon any gov
ernmen- reservation, and of offenses
upon the high seas when such offend
ers NAV be first brought to. or land
ed in this district
Courts Of the United States have no
common law Jurisdiction; your inves-
LEGATIONS therefore. can be directed
only 10 sum Ol1euSSS 5S nave hSSL4
created by acts of congress.
There are offenses, however. that
may be prosecuted on information by
the district attorney without first
bringing them to your attention.
It is not necessary for me to en-
Yer into an elaborate enumeration of
Nhe offenses of which you have orig
inal cognizance.
Generally speaking, your turisdic-
ton extends TO attractions of the In
\
ing whiskey without having paid the
distiller's license. and carrying on the
business of a retail liquor dealer with
out having paid the internal revenue
license tax and sundry violations OF
the statute with regard 10 licensed
distilleries; also all violations of the
customs laws and regulations.
POSTAL LAWS.
Violations of the postal laws by per
sons engaged in the postal service,