The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1919-03-14
COBB COUNTY COURT IS
GRINDING OUT JUSTICE
FROM CIVIL CALENDAR
Criminal Docket To Come
Next Week
Judge N. A. Morris Delivers Interest
ing Charge to Grand Jury. Again
States Intention of Dismissing All
Soldiers Misdemeanor Cases.

Cobb County Superior Court con-
vened for the spring term on Monday
at ten o'clock, and Judge N. A. Nor
ris delivered an able charge to the
Grand Jury.
He again brought to the attention
of the Grand Jury his intention to
dismiss all misdemeanor cases against
men who are now or have been IN
the service, where the charges are
based on acts committed prior to the
war. He paid high tribute to the bra
very and courage of the boys in the
service, and said he wanted it known
that every one of them could come
home without fear of prosecution.
He stated that in the recent term
of Cherokee Court he had dismissed
II cases against boys in the service.
He cited the case against one boy
from Cobb county which he would
take pleasure in dismissing.
He said he had been severe with
all offenders against the prohibition
laws of the state since the beginning
of the war. The man who could give
time and material to an outlawed
traffic, was worse than a Stacker and
an enemy of his country. During the
six wears he had been on the bench,
he stated that more than rs per cent
of the criminal cases in his court had
been either direct or indirect result
of the use of whiskey. Misery, pow
erty and the attendant evils could
also be charged to whiskey, while the
costs of the court were piled high on
it's account.
He stated that he had been able to
largely reduce these costs, and hoped
with the help of good citizens to still
further reduce them.
He charged the Grand Jury to IN
vestigate the financial condition of the
county, particularly with regard to
series of notes said to have been
issued through the agency OF broker,
who is reported to have absconded-
from Triton, Georgia, and directed
also that the finances of the city be
investigated, the same broker having
had a series of city notes, for which
no return had ever been made to
the city.
He directed the jury to disregard
sensational stories in newspapers, ana
to find according to the facts and
sworn evidence in all their investlga-
tions.
He read from the recent auditors
report of the county expenditures last
wear. a statement that the amount
maid out during the year was 22,OOO
less than the than the preceding year
and $4,000 less than the year before
that. This was commended In view
of the great advance of prices OF sup
plies and material.
He directed the attention OF the
Grand Jury to the status OF the
salary of the Solicitor General, the
last legislature having placed the Of
fee on salary, but made no pro-
vision for paying same.
He charged them with the law on
excluding all others than the solicitor
general from the Grand Jury room,
stating that the law does not provide
for any such Office as Assistant Solicl-
tor General, and that no such person
could be admitted to their room dur
ing deliberations.
He directed them to elect members
to fill any vacancies on the Board
of Education, and to recommend men
for any notary public vacancies.
During Judge Morris present term
of office, more than two years ne
has been able to very nearly clear
the calendars in the various counties,
to reduce the length of the court
terms and attendant costs, and during
that time had only two reversals OF
judgment, which is indeed remarka-
BILE record when the great volume OF
business handled is considered.
MISS KATE KILBY