Page:Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin (1793).djvu/218

208 AN ACCOUNT OF THE HIGHEST COURT OF JUDICATURE IN PENNSYLVANIA, VIZ.

THE COURT OF THE PRESS.

POWER OF THIS COURT.

T may receive and promulgate accuſations of all kinds, againſt all perſons and characters among the citizens of the ſtate, and even againſt all inferior courts; and may judge, ſentence, and condemn to infamy, not only private individuals, but public bodies, &c. with or without enquiry or hearing, at the court's diſcretion.

In whoſe favour, or for whoſe emolument this court is eſtabliſhed. In favour of about one citizen in five hundred who by education, or practice in ſcribbling, has acquired a tolerable ſtyle as to grammar and conſtruction, ſo as to bear printing; or who is poſſeſſed of a preſs and a few types. This five hundredth part of the citizens have the privilege of accuſing and abuſing the other four hundred and ninety-nine parts, at their pleaſure; or they may hire out their pen and preſs to others, for that purpoſe. Practice of this court.

It is not governed by any of the rules of the common courts of law. The accuſed is allowed no grand jury to judge of the truth of the accuſation before it is publicly made; nor is the name of the accuſer made known to him; nor has he