The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1908-current, 1920-07-19

send them to jail for dealing with
strangers and let them remain there
until they get acquainted.
Another crime | wish to call your
attention to is the unlawful sale of
cigarettes. While the war was on,
and the army was consuming large
quantities of these things, |, like many
of the other judges of the state, be-
lieved that the government was max
ing mistake in this matter, but it
was not the time to criticise the con-
duct of those upon whom was placed
the responsibility of winning the war,
and after peace was declared and the
war ended, gave notice through the
officers that when the merchants
had disposed of their present stock
the law was going to be enforced.
Some of the merchants of this county
obeyed this warning, and others did
not, yet they have to meet this I'M
fair competition. So bold and law
defying and arrogant have these deal
ers become that they are carrying
large advertisements in the news
papers for certain brands
| called especially the attention of
the grand jury to the violation of this
law. The evidence will not be diff
ficult to obtain; they have been run
ming wide open and you are expected
understood, that you are not to stop
understood, that 70 uare not to stop
with one or two indictments, | want
enough returned to let these people
know that the law is supreme. I
am not unmindful of the fact that the
newspapers have stated that the gov
ernor would pardon cases following
convictions for violations of the Gig
arett law. Whether this statement
was authorized, am not prepared to
say, but | do know that the great
est obstacle to law enforcement in this
state is the indiscriminate use of the
power vested in the governor to re-
nit fines and grant pardons, and the
only prerequisite for a pordon is to
have the services of certain pardon
brokers to present your case. Work Of
the sheriff, clerk, grand jury and trial
court, are set aside without rhyme or
reason, when these pardon brokers get
their coveted fee, and the felon gets
the pardon. This state needs the re-
call, and if this right was given, and
a few derelicts recalled and kicked out
of office, an advance stride would be
made in the enforcement of the law in
this state; but in cases charging the
unlawful sale of cigarettes, l will
state that we have remedy. No plea
will be heard in this court until the
plea of guilty and receipt from the
sheriff, showing complete and final
payment of all fines, county tax and
officers fees, and whom this is done a
pardon would not avail.
The law regulating the sale of Gig
arettes and tobacco, will be found un-
der the following provisions of the d.
gest: Section 1703-1704, 1905, 2085-
2086, kirby's New Digest.
Complaint has been filed in this court
seeking to recover judgment against
the bondsmen of a certain guardians
funds, which he as guardian, was re-
quired by law to pay to his ward.
Sections 1870, of kirbys Digest, |
makes it felony for any guardian
to embezzle, make away with or con-
vert to his own uses, any money, goods
chattles, right in action or property
belonging to such ward
1t is the duty of the courts to pro-
tect minors from dishonest guardians,
and you should give this matter your
attention.
Another crime which occurs fire.
quently is that of perjury. l heard
short time ago an old pioneer say that
in the early settlement of this state
when man was called as a witness
and taken solemn oath that he would
tell the truth, that it meant something.
Now, in many cases it is meaning
less, and his oath has no binding force,
and the crime of perjury, and unduly
friendly juorors are two props upon
which the criminal element leans in
order to thwart justice and shield
themselves from the just consequences
of their criminal conduct. And if any
witnesses comes before you and per-
Jurers himself, indict, and the next
time he is before you he will prob
ably tell the truth.
Many complaints are made about the
bridges and culverts being down and
rendering traffic on certain public
highways difficult. Some one is neg
lecting their duty in these matters,
and they should likewise be investigat
ed, and if such neglect is avoidable, re-
turn an Indictment against those re-
sponsiole, regardless of who it may
be.
Numerous complaints are made that