The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1920-02-06
JUDGE BuLLocK,s CHARGE -
THE GRAND JURY

jury attending any court shall have
been dismissed before the court Is ad
Journed without day, they may be
summoned to attend again at the
same term at such time as the court
shall direct, for the disposition of any
business before them. This court has
not adjourned without day for the fall
term of 1919. Pursuant to this stat.
ute have caused you to be summon
ed again to come together that you
may further inquire into those mat
tors that seem to vitality concern the
peace and dignity of the state Of
florida and the welfare of her people
Since you gentlemen reported 70
this court that you had completed
yeur labors and investigated all mat
ners that came to your knowledge, it
- said that other crime has been
committed in the county and under
snch circumstances as to justify, in
deed demand, that you should investi
cate the matter promptly and dill
gently. 1t is said that one of your
1ellow citizens, while in the quiet pur-
anit of his business has been foully
murdered, which was committed un
der such circumstances as to show an.
assassination for the purpose of rob,
bery.
Parties who are accused of the com
mission of crime are entitled to al
speedy trial by fair and impartial
jury of their countrymen. The public
interest demands that crime should be
prosecuted without unnecessary delay
The delays of our courts in the trans
action of the public business is be
coming an offense to our people and
they are losing confidence in the ad
ministration of the law, with a natu
raj tendency to correct crime by mob
violence, a most unfortunate condi
aon to contemplate.
1t seems as if the whole world is in
. fevered condition Of excitement.
restlessness and revolution.
Just about the time of the entrance
Of the United States into the great
world war, leading magazine in this
country said "this government stands
1rembling in the balance" True, and
We are still trembling in the balance j
We were on trial then and we are on
trial now. Gentlemen. it is a peril
nent question to ask, where do you
stand?
Shall the lawless and criminal ele
ment Of this state prevail. or the Jaw
abiding citizens enforce the law? The
determination of this question is pr
marily with our courts and with the
public sentiment. No officers, how
ever diligent and honest, can enforce
. law that public sentiment does not
sustain.
division of this state and an integral
part thereof must take position. We
nre at the parting Of the ways. On
which side shall we stand? Are we
90 be classed with the lawful or the
unlawful element?
The burning question of the day Is
Ghe manufacture and sale of intoxicat .
ing liquors. second to no other ques
aion in this nation. It is our boast
that the strength of our. government
Hes in the fact hat he people are
supreme. The people rule. They
make the law under which we live
and they administer this law. On this
question OF the manufacture and sale
ol intoxicating liquor the people OF
thIs state and this nation have spok
eD IN no uncertain terms. The people
lave expressed themselves through
ahelr legislative departments and the
Enforcement Of their will is now be
fore that coordinate branch that we
term the judiciary.
A members Of this grand jury you
are a part and parcel OF that branch.
MAWIM VI lLNAE W WAA'AA tAAC fCOPtC
have committed the high and honor
able position OF investigation of crime
when we were organized. took oc
caslon 20 advise you. at some length
&C the ddtles and responsibilities that
rested upon yoxand then appealed to
you for your aid and assistance IN
rro1erly enforcing the law. Let me
AGAIN say TO you that l have an abid
ana confidence that you possess all Of
Hose qualifications OF grand jurors
and ~that you viii diligently inquire
and q true presentmeut make, of all
nnch matters as shall be given you in
charge"
On the ouestic, OF the manufactYe
ana sale Of intoxicating liquors in this
a. .... &Nof n most a 1arunir, o