The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-14
Charge at Opening of Madi- son Court Is Dramatic
 and Severe
WANTS NO MAN WHO
 TOTES PISTOL" TO
 SERVE IN THE BODY
Tells Investigators They Must Search for Those Higher Up" and Not ''the Small Fry" in Their
 Inquiry Into Crime

Huntsville. November 1s.-tspeciai) Judge B. M. Miller of Camden has made profound impression upon the people of Madison county.
 In forceful charge to the special grand jury this morning, and by his vigorous manner on the bench. Judge Miller has served notice upon the alleged law break ing element of Madison county that he IS after their "scalps."
 Judge Miller severely arraigned the pistol toter." and turning suddenly to- ward the grand jury, he said: T wonder how many of you have a pistol In your hip pockets? If you have one. be man. step out. There are some grand juries, you know. that go about finding indict- ments for other who carry pistols. when they have one in their own pockets
 Turing toward the crowd which packed the courtroom and the attorneys, Judge Miller continued How many Of you have pistols in your pockets? If you have a pistol in your pocket, are you proud of that fact? Better get rid of your pistols. I want no pistols in this courthouse"
 GO AFTER "BIG FELLOWS"
 Judge Miller also urged upon the spe- cial grand jury to get after the "big fellows" and not only punish the small fry.
 There is no pleasure in catching min- nows," said the judge. The fun comes in conquerlng a big, fat trout. That is the rule for you to follow. Look high for iniquity. Punish the big fellows and the little ones will fall in line. If today human life is not safe in Madison county the fault lies somewhere. l do not know whether it is from this bench. from the solicitors office or from the grand juries but the fault is sorntwhere''
 Judge Miller also spoke Of the spirit Of mob action. Lynch law he said. lis written in the hearts of depraved man hood, Of cowardly manhood. When men talk of lynching and of killing man. they have depraved hearts. They are towards. Enforce the law, forget prop erty, and let's put our thought on the preservation of human life in Alabama
 ONE MAN FINED
 Prior to making his charge to the spe- cial grand jury Judge Miller created much comment by the imposition of slO0 for feiture against Oars Steager, a well known merchant and farmer of Hunts vile, because he was not present when his name was called for grand jury serv- ice Judge Miller also refused to excuse several men who pleaded important bust ness.
 That's the kind of men I want on the jury" said Judge Miller business men. farmers who have business. do not want men who have no business If you. want to be excused tell me that you have no business and you can go. l do not want people with no business"
 There was some slight delay while the clerk of the court was preparing for the grand jury drawing, and Judge Miller said: T do not like delay. so I will tell about the grand jury oath and it's mean ing"
 A few moments later, after the drawing. Judge Miller called upon tho clerk to ad- minister the oath: T don't believe I know it. confessed the clerk Well. go and learn it." said Judge Miller. who proceeded to administer the oath himself
 Court opened this morning with a prayer from Rev. Francis Tappey of the Central Presbyterian church.
 Judge Miller is man In the early fift!es, of splendid physique and with & voice that carries to every corner of the spacious courtroom. He is very direct in his manner of dealing with court at taches, and se caused no little nervous ness on the part of the clerks of the court by the baiskness he injected into the proceedings.
 Judge Miller was Ion the job from the very start and the court attaches had to follow in quick step' or suffer a reprimand. The lawyers were also handled without gloves