The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-05-09

b. F.
elapsed since the last grand jury.
1t is your duty to ascertain who
| was the person who violated the
law and then, If the evidence be.
fore you warrants you in doing so.
to present against such persons as
have committed crimes against the
state appropriate warrants SO that
the violators. may be prosecuted.
Nc Place for Enn1itY
THE grand jury room is no
place for you to carry personal
jealousy OF enmity. In the grand
jury there should be no favoritis1n
shown and no cowardice shown. 1t
is your duty to investigate all evi,
dence shown to you and act IN
accordance with your own decision
and the dictates Of your own con-
science. whatever may be the re-
suit and whomever it may affect.
"You are responsible, gentlemen
! to no other power. You possess 4
position that is unique inasmuch
as there is no officer of the gov
eminent who can control your
actions. Your decisions are not
| subject to review.
"You are selected from the body
OF citizens of the county to do jus
tice between your fellow men. ana
you are responsible only to Goa
and to your own conscience.
EtI am constrained to relate All
incident that occurred several
years ago. I was district attorney
at the time and a grand jury ses-
sion was being held at Parkers-
burg A federal law had been pass.
ed, known as the 'eight-hour law
affecting all employees of the gov
ernmeTt.
Building Dam
"Contrac tors we're then engaged
in the construction of dam on
the Ohio River. It was late in the
fall and il the men would work a
few DAYS overtime in the evening
the dam could be built above tue
danger of high water.
"The employers permitted the
men to work overtime on the dam.
completing it and saving it from
"a complaint was made, wit
masses were called and the matter
was presented to the grand Jury.
The grand jury refused to 1ndlct.
The matter was reported to WASH
ington.
Zone evenig when I, was sitting
ing my office, after had hn1shed
my days work, a gentleman came
in and introduced himself: ask,
ed him to sit down. He did SO ana
I said, What can do tor you
''He said, Il came here to ascer-
tain why the grand jury or TINS
county refused to lndlct IN tnls
case up the river.
| 9 who wants to know asked.
/ .Teddy'' Asks Reason.
1.-THE president Of the United
states wants to know! he an
swered.
".Let me see your credentials
I suggested
"He showed them to me.
II answered: will you kindly
! carry my compliments to the
presiden of the United States and
tell him that the grand Jury IS
body of men that is responsible 20
no man or. group of men or gov
eminent for its actions IN the
grand jury room? Even the presi-
dent of the United States cannot
question their actions
esp ossibly the president knows
that, he answered. but thought
maybe some influence had been
brought to bear through the prose-
cutting attorneys office
@..#.That is a different matter
| I told him; you can examine my
records but you have no right to
question the jurymen.'
| Position Important
"Your position is one of great
imp ortance. You should keep this
fact in mind when you are en-
gagged in your labors. (.
st would be impossible for me
to review in your presence all the
different offenses with which you
may have to meet. The statutes
are $voluminous and We think we
can depend on your own expert.
ence and your own judgment to Gull
out these matters.
tsThe prosecuting attorney or his
assistant will be available to you
in the examination of witnesses.
He win not be with you, however
when you consider what action you
| s H . fs. r