Fitzgerald leader enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Ga.) 1921-1964, 1924-01-24
PRESENTMENTS OF
JURY, JANUARY TERN
Continued from 1st page)

that our school officials arrange to
provide adequate equipment for con-
sumating this desired end.
This Grand Jury has spent five days
in session and most of our time has
been spent in considering petty bills
OF indictment, principally against ne
groes for having small quantities of
liquor, and we have found bills where
evidence was Sufficient, and yet we
know in our own minds that the main
source of supply for this damnable
stuff is allowed to operate right on
without molestation. We find things
in deplorable condition from a moral
standpoint caused primarily, we be-
lleve from so much bootlegging and
drinking. We do not desire to offer
unjust criticism against our arresting
officers, and they may be doing the
very best they can in every way Gf
! so God pity us) but we do recommend
that they use their best efforts in en-
forcing the prohibition law, as well
as all laws of the State,
1t has come to members of this body
from reliable source that the sheriff
, says he has no cooperation from the
city police and also that the police say
they do not have any help or assist
ance from the Sheriffs office, how
ever, we find there has been Joint
raids made against some violators of
other laws than the prohibition laws
in the city
Following the recommendation of
the last Grand Jury, and the charge of
his Honor Judge Crum, we have look
ed into the present matter of the Elks'
Club, but find we are unable to do
, anything. notwithstanding the fact
that according to the report of the
committee from the last Grand Jury
the evidence was sufficient to have
found bill, and that bill would have
been found against the club for having
liquor, but for the fact mentioned
that the prosecuting Attorney was a
member of the Club and therefore dis
qualified to take any part in the pros
ecution, and as the Judge stated in his
charge he had been unable to secure
state aid in this case even after call
ing on the Governor, we realize that
this is most deplorable condition that
OUR Courts are in and recommend that
if the county of Ben Hill and the great
State of Georgia is without jurisdic-
ton to enforce the prohibition laws in
any club then we recommend that this
court call on the Federal Government
for protection.
Our attention to the fact that in
three instances recently, drunken white
men have held up innocent negroes on
the public highways and cursed and
abused them and made threats against
their lives and in one case severely
beat them up without provocation.
This is another situation and calls our
attention more strongly to the fact that
our prohibition laws should be enforc-
ed more rigidly.
Under the deplorShae conditions
now existing, we recommend the ap-
pointment of county police to work
in conjunction with the other arresting
officers in the hope of relieving the
dangers Of the present outlawry and
making it more safe for the citizens
of the rural districts.
We feel at this time to especially
commend and express to the Honor
able Judge D. A. R. Crum, Judge of
the Superior Court, for the able charge
delivered to this grand Jury and feel
1t to be one of the ablest and most
timely charges we have ever heard or
read. 1t is admirably timed to harmon
ize with the present ternd of public
sentiment toward stricter enforcement
and observance of law and toward the
moral advancement of our people, and
we feel a pride in having on our
bench, Judge who is able and in
clined to assert himself in the direc-
ton of moral advancement and law
enforcement.
We wish also to express OUR appre-
citation for the courteous and satisfac-
tory service rendered to- us by our
Honorable Solicitor General, J. B.
Wall, and we are not unmindful of
the Solicitor Generals able assistant,
Jesse Grantham, who is always will
ing and ready to render any service
that might be needed, and we feel it
our duty to express to him our most
sincere appreciation for the same.
We would also express at this time
Our appreciation to our faithful bailiff
w. II. Ellington, fer his services rend
cred to tbs grard jury.
1t is the sense of this Grand Jury
that they remain organized for serv-
ice, subject to the call of the Foreman
or the Court until the organization
of the next Grand Jury.
We recommend that these present.
ments be published in the Leader
Enterprise & Press and in the Fitz-
gerald Herald and that they be paid
$3.50 each for same.
J. E. TURNER, Foreman,
JAMES PAULK, JR., Clerk.