COUNTY CLERKS AND PROSECUTORS.
Mr. Benz's bill [S 161] to authorize the summons of witnesses before Grand Juries was read the third time.
Mr. CAMPBELL, of Hendricks, would vote for the bill. Border countie's Senators desire it.
Mr. OVERSTREET: I can't see that this bill can do any good, and it may do harm. It would be imposing a large expense on the counties.
Mr. SMITH, of Jennings: This bill is wholly unnecessary. The statutes already sufficiently provide for the punishment of public offenses. In many instances the Grand Jury system is objectionable. It would be better for the people were that system abolished. There is a an odium in every county attaching to the Grand Jury.
Mr. BENZ gave reasons why his bill ought to pass: There is trouble in his county, which is on the border, to get witnesses before the Grand Jury.
Mr. FOWLER: I see nothing in this bill that will work hardship to anybody. I don't believe much in a Grand Jury system where applied to misdemeanors, especially.
Mr. WILLARD: If crimes misdemeanors are stricken out and make the bill apply to felonies only I would vote for it.
Mr. DRAKE: I am in favor of the bill just as it is. We who live close to the line know the difficulty of breaking up a gambling house, or a place where liquor is sold to minors, and the only chance to make successful prosecutions in such cases would be under such a law as this bill would be.
The bill failed for want of a constitutional majority - yeas, 20; nays 17.
Mr. McINTOSH explaining: As the bill will simply apply to trivial offences, and increases expenses, I vote "no."
