Spencer Heath Archive

Item 3165

Typed page by Heath

1954-55

The jury is probably the most democratic institution derived from Anglo-Saxondom from before the Conquest. Its antiquity is very great.  The grand jury has the same function in the local community with respect to wrong-doing on the part of any persons, without exception, for the official or unofficial. Its function is the same as that of Congressional investigating committees, except that these committees inquire only into official wrong-doings. Since the grand juries do not specialize in official misconduct, that is probably why they are not balked or embarrassed in their inquiries by high government officials and heads of departments.

However, in the case of the grand jury in New York that investigated the IPR as a communist organization, resulting in the trial and conviction of some of its personnel, the attitude of government officials toward its investigating and the very cursory, almost secret, manner of conducting the trial under which some persons were convicted and very likely punished — all this suggests in the modern times a considerable antagonism on the part of public officials who may be more or less involved with subversive persons and organizations.

It is to be hoped that grand juries throughout the land will resist official encroachments and carry out their historic function undeterred by official interference.