Year: 1868

Charge 10 the Grand Jnry-Rcmartks Of


Judge BIatchford on the Dishonesty Of


Public OficiaIs.


Before Judge Blatchford.


Iudge Blatchford opened court yesterday morn-
mg. and the Grand Jury being present and
having been previously sworn, he proceeded with
In charge:-Gentemen, II not all a. least the greater
number Of you have already served In the ofice OF
rrand Jurors either in this ccart or some Of the
courts Of the State and therefore is for
me TO enlarge at any great length upon the duties that
0evove upon you TO discharge. deem II necessary
70 direct your attention TO offences which are named
by statutes ard the District Attorney has furnished
me q list Of offences in which persons have been
examined and turned over by Commissioners of the
United States TO await the action Of the Grand Jury
In addition to these there are other cases which win
be presented to you In which no previous examina-
ton before Commissioner has been had, and in
those cases you have right to take cOgnizance OF
them, and all other cases of offences. Whether pre-
viousy examined before a Commissioner or not
hey will be always at hand and ready to afford
whatever advice and assistance you may re-
should be present In your deliberations, and
Of that number twelve must concur in the finding
ordinary character which come before Grand Jury
there offences against the United States 10 which
your attention Is specsy dreG,sd hs dnese are cases
laws, comprising six diferent classes or denomina-
tons, and from memorandum furnished me by the
District Attorney those complaints are:-Dstilling
spirits without paying the tax license; doing busi
ness as dstiller without paying the tax; executing
fraudulent bonds removing spirits from any place
and to any other than bonded warehouse; using
still on premises where other business Is carried on,
And thereby deiraudng the government Another
cOgnzance In reference to the duties OF
officers in the public service, and my
private and public integrity in the officers entrusted
with the discharge of pubic duties. am aware that
spirits than In any other department of the public
revenue, and In this department there are great
many oncers tainted with fraud and Injustice They
hc service; but as far We concerned and what
ever becomes our duty we shall discharge our whole
duty In the premises, and leave the responsibility
upOn those who are called upon, but who do not dis
charge it. 1t is the interest Of every man to look to
this, and should know and think that every cent
lost to the public treasury by fraudulent acts
or want OF fidelity on the part Of public officers
is SO much thrown upon the honest man who pays
his taxes what Is lost to the government In that way
comes out OF another mans pocket unjusty, not by
the government, but by the dishonesty of the man
perly administered there would be no difficulty in
collecting the money arising to the public treasury
class of offences which will be brought before you
and which commands attention. refer to the extent
TO which the system OF fcounterfeting the currency Of
the United States has been carried on. Counter
felt currency on paper and counterfeit silver OF
nve cents each have been put in circulation,
and some or those will come before
you to be passed upon There is OF
alleged murder on the high seas, and one case OF
embezzling ten letters from the Post Office Depart
ment, and the only remaining case to which will
0rect your attention is a case arising under a
statute of the United States in which the National
Bank Is concerned. The National Bank as a public
institution Is only short time under the cognzance
OF the United states. This particular offence Is
charged in a case where an olfcer OF the National
Bank is charged with embezzlIng the moneys and
making false entries in the books OF the bank. With
regard to your own private business and your duties
es Grand Jurors think that by proper regulation
Of your tine combined with your active habits Of
business, you will be able to discharge everything
iad before you. BY judicious management you win


Oe able 10 make all things light, and should you at
any time require assistance from shall be at all
Times ready ana happy 10 give il.