Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1919-02-24
SOLDIER NOT TO
OVERTURNLAWS.
GRAND JURY IS
TOLD BY JUDGE
War Has Increased Respect for Au-
thority, Judge LittIejohn
Says in Charge

That the soldiers who have fought
in France are not coming home to
open things up, as has been said
on many sides, but will come home
with a broader vision, a greater sense
of justice, and more respect for law
and order, is the opinion of Judge
q. A. Littlejohn, of the Superior court,
assembled at the special term which
began this morning.
Judge Littlejohn was impressing
upon the grand jurors the solemnity of
their oaths and their duties in ferret
ing out crime of every character,
specially the smaller offenses, and
those which do not usually have pros
eucting witnesses
I'VE hear a great deal" he said "of
the soldiers coming home from the
great war to open things up. don't
believe they are going to do any thing
of that sort l do not believe these
boys during their absence have stray
ed that far away from their mothers
religion.
These boys are coming home with
broader visions, with new and strong
er ideals of justice and fair dealing
between men that will be one of the
hundred benefits to mankind that will
come out of the war They are COM
ing home stimulated in thought and
ideals; they are not coming back to
change the churches and alter the af-
fairs of the country.
But they are coming home imbued
with the idea that every man, regard
less of his position in life, is entitled
to a square deal. The chief things
they have leared in the army, instead
of contempt for things as they exist
at home, are the value of discipline
an respect for constituted authority
and measuring up to the requirements
of the government. There is where
the change will be in these men, if
any change at all is to be notceC.-
The grand jury began deliberations
at 10 o'clock this morning after hav-
ing been sworn in and being charged
The grand jury is composed of % men,
13 of the 36 originally drawn having
been excused for sickness or other
cause, Following is the personnel: j.
]. Bennett, Rev Geo. F. Brown Lasco
Harvey, C. F. Giddings, L. D. Wise, w
G. Turpin, A. J. Harris, G. A. Dea
YOURS, ]. H. Statham, B. F. Easter1in
G e. Buchanan, c. S. S. Horne, W. Ho-
mer Wade, w. T. Anderson, B. T. Johu-
son, J. H. Myers, ]. D. Williams, L. E.
Jennings, E. r. Chappell, o. L. Dixon.
w. S. Moore, w. P. Thomas, G. W. Is
rael.
w S. Moore, of Plains, former coun-
ty school commissioner, was chosen
foreman. John L. Peek, who has held
the position for years, was elected
bailifi.
Judge Littlejohn's charge, which
consumed half an hour, dealt mostly
with the legal aspects of the duties of
the grand jury. He made little refer
ence to special matters for their con-
sideration, only calling attention to the
prohibition laws of the state, under
which the jury can interrogate wit
nesses without definite charges having
been made against offenders, as is re-
quired in other offenses, and to the
gaming law, which, he mentioned
hereby as an example, and not as a
specific matter requiring attention.
He appealed especially to the grand
jury to investigate small offenses thor
oughly.
He appealed especially to the grand
Jury to investigate small offenses
thoroughly.
"The peace and contentment of the
community does not come from the en-
forcement of the laws against the.
higher crimes" said he, but from the
enforcement of the laws against mis-
demeanors.
Judge Littlejohn then appealed to
the grand jury to act with absolute
fairness and impartiality in inVestigat-
Continued on Last Page)