St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1916-03-04

Hurry ASKED WHETHER
GAMBLING PREVAILS
unGE PAvY NsTRUCTS TO INVESTIGATE CHARGES
OF VIOLATION GAMBLING AND GAY
SHATTUCK LAWS

As a consequence of communlca
tions appearing in the st. Landr.
Clarion Judge B. H. Pavy in hi
charge to the grand jury instructed
the members of that body to inves
tigate the alleged violations of tn
gambling and Gay-Shattuck laws
1t has been rumored that gros
violations Of these laws have beer
in vogue in this city for a lonl
time; it has been charged in opel
print by a. few citizens of this cit.
through the columns of this paper
The judge, therefore, urged tht
grand jury to make an impartial in.
yestigation and to return its find.
ings next week, when that bod.
will adjourn. Should the grant
Jury find that these laws are beint
violated prosecution is certain t
follow.
The judges charge which is O
interest to the people OF this par
ish is as follows:
Gentlemen of the Grand Jury:
You have been organized as
grand inquest for the purpose O.
examining into and reporting upoT
all species of offenses committed
in this parish, since the session O.
the last grand jury, or prior thereto
of the commission thereof was moi
brought to its attention or that o.
an officer having the authority te
prosecute the same.
Your oath requires you to dill
gently inquire and true present
nlent make Of all such matters ane
things as shall be given to you II
charge or otherwise come to your
knowledge touching the present
service.
Some of you may have personal
knowledge of the commission OF
an offense against the State, OF facts
that tend to show that an offense
has been committed. Under your
oath you are bound to disclose this
knowledge to your associates.
Your oath binds you to absolute
secrecy as to all matters occurring
in the jury room, and the source OF
your information must likewise be
kept secret.
You have oligated yourselves to
present no one from envy, hatred or
malice, nor leave any one unpre-
sented for fear, favor or affection,
reward or the hope thereof.
The District Attorney will assist
you in the performance of your
duties during your deliberation on
the evidence adduced before you,
but while your vote is taken on the
question of whether or not a true
bill shall be found or presentment
made, no person besides yourselves
can be present, or advise you.
Nine members of the jury constl-
tnte quorum, and the vote OF the
same number is required to find or
ignore a bill.
Your foreman has authority to
administer the oath to the witnesses
and he or any other member can
4 conduct the examination.
You may regulate the hour OF
opening or closing your session, and
you may adjourn for any time not
exceeding three days without the
leave of the Court. but for a longer
time the leave of the Court is nee
essary and must be obtained.
Having charged you as to your
duties, | now desire to read to you
Q communication which appeared
in the St. Landry Clarion Of date
February 5th and signed "A Casual
Observer" as also communication
which appeared in the same paper
on Feb. i2, and signed "A Citizen.'
Il these conditions exist in this
community it is your duty to make
an investigation thereof and report
your findings to this Court.
Aarticle iS8 of the Constitution
provides: Gambling is a vice and
The Legislature shall pass laws to
suppress it.
Act SO of 's6 provides: That il
snail be unlawful for any person or
persons to gamble with dice or
cards on the public highways with
IN the State, or on the public streets
q any City or Town within this
State or within view of such public
highways or streets.
Act No. 70 of 1908, page s5 pro-
flbits the gambling game of craps