Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1922-08-25

Judge Carroll, who is a forceful and
at times eloquent speaker, made a
charge to the grand jury that was a
stirring appeal to inspire them to a
full realization OF their duties as mem
bers Of the important band, and as
having direct account to the power
Of right in the discharge Of Their
J duties as members of the grand jury.
The Judge speaks in a quiet tone,
that calls for close attention, but
his eruniciation is clear, and his style
forceful. Without any sudden bursts
or elequence. but with finely chosen
words and well-placed rhetoric, he laws
the duties of the body of the grand
jury clearly before them.
He reminded them that their posts
on this stand, placed them where they
were strongly obligated to look JUS
tice squalkly in the fske, and to
employ her means in making an indict-
ment. ~lndividual mbmbers of the
grand jury, he stated often had the
idea that person should not be indict-
ed by them for certain offense, be-
cause, they themselves who were
bringing the indictment might have
the same weakness that had caused
their brother to stumble and fall, and
might be guilty of the same offense
at some time themselves. Such a
position, the judge declared was con-
trary to the right flow of lawful af
fairs, and is fit soil for anarchy.
The offender, small as well as large,
should have the punishment due for
the committing Of his special crime
meted out to him, and that without
favor. The offender in small matters
envolves into the offender in large mat
ters, and should be quelled at once,
before the germ is allowed to grow
this with no view to vengeance. but
for the sake of checking the erring
individual before he goes over the
rails OF crime to eternal destruction.
In fact, the point was stressed. If
IS the small offender in communities
such as this, who is the real offender
real hardened criminals axe few
as IN comparison to the population Of
the county-of the 10000 Inhabitants
OF the county, twenty-five real cr,nt-
nails would be about the per cent that
would be found, and it is the duty of
the lawabding citizens to keen ont
lawry in check by killing in its jncini-
ency. any indication of an uprising in
this direction hence the sacred dutv
placed upon every member Of the
grand jury. Honesty Of purpose must
prevail among the body, that the scales
of justice show an impartial weigh
ing You are not indictirR man
Tor malice, nor must YOU let anv es.
cape because he is your friend. tho
members were earnestly exhorted.
The grand jury is an accusing inrv.
and as such should, be an impartial
ana serious one, so that a mistake
either for or against may not result
from decision.
A lowering of standards has fc7-
lowed the war, and the Judge made the
statement that the hiding place Of
criminals is no longer the swampv
and secluded spots, but in the CON
Jestlon OF the crowded cities, where
the lawless dodge about in the crowds
with few condemning voices TO shout
OUT their hiding place, for now people
VIII DO, without qualm of conscience. /
what ten years ago, would never have
been dreamed of, and crime in others
does not take on the same hue of
Nervousness. This cannot be regulat-
ed by the grand Jury, he declared but
can be kept by this means under con-
troll The good, aw-abiding citizens
who know right and insist on It's as.
tendency. are the ones who are TO
set the pace for society. and in this
time OF disruption. when SO MANY
good people are. as it were dragging
the anchor firm measures must he
resorted to keep right wen enouph eg-
tablished to be tellingly might.
Judge Carol stated that he md been
requested to touch on gambling il
making his charge to the jury, though