Blacks Law Dict. 1st ed

PUBLIC WORSHIP

964

PUBLIC REVENUE

triers keenly alive to a sense of their responsibility and to the importance of their functions; and the requirement is fairly observed if, without partial ity or favoritism, a reasonable proportion of the public is suffered to attend, notwithstanding that those persons whose presence could be of no serv ice to the accused, and who would only be drawn thither by a prurient curiosity, are excluded alto gether. " Cooley, Const Lim. *312. PUBLIC, TRUE, AND NOTORIOUS. The old form by which charges in the allega tions in the ecclesiastical courts were de scribed at the end of each particular. PUBLIC USE, in constitutional provis ions restricting the exercise of the right to take private property in virtue of eminent domain, means a use concerning the whole community as distinguished from particular individuals. But each and every member of society need not be equally interested in such use, or be personally and directly affected by it; if the object is to satisfy a great public want or exigency* that is sufficient. 18 Cal. 229. PUBLIC VERDICT. A verdict openly delivered by the jury in court. See PRIVY VERDICT. PUBLIC VESSEL. One owned and used by a nation or government for its public serv ice, whether in its navy, its revenue service, or otherwise. PUBLIC WAR. This term includes every contention by force, between two na tions, in external matters, under the authority of their respective governments. 4 DalL 40. PUBLIC WAYS. Highways, (q. t>.) PUBLIC WELFARE. The prosperity, well-being, or convenience of the public at large, or of a whole community, as distin guished from the advantage of an individual or limited class. See 4 Ohio St. 499. PUBLIC WORKS. Works, whether of construction or adaptation, undertaken and carried out by the national, state, or munic ipal authorities, and designed to subseive some purpose of public necessity, use, or con venience; such as public buildings, roads, aqueducts, parks, etc. PUBLIC WORSHIP. This term may mean the worship of God, conducted and ob served under public authority; or it may mean worship in an open or public place, without privacy or concealment; or it may mean the performance of religious exercises, under a provision for an equal right in the whole pub lic to participate in its benefits; or it may be

the public, affording notice or information to the public, or open to public inspection. PUBLIC REVENUE. The revenue of the government of the state or nation; some times, perhaps, that of a municipality. PUBLIC RIVER. A river where there is a common navigation exercised; otherwise called a "navigable river." 1 Crabb, Real Prop. p. Ill, § 106. PUBLIC SALE. A sale made in pursu ance of a notice, by auction or public outcry. 4 Watts, 258. P U B L I C SCHOOLS. Schools estab lished under the laws of the state, (and us ually regulated in matters of detail by the local authorities,) in the various districts, counties, or towns, maintained at the public expense by taxation, and open without charge to the children of all the residents of the town or other district. PUBLIC SEAL. A seal belonging to and used by one of the bureaus or depart ments of government, for authenticating or attesting documents, process, or records. An impression made of some device, by means of a piece of metal or other hard sub stance, kept and used by public authority. 7 Port. (Ala.) 534. PUBLIC STATUTE. See PUBLIC ACT. P U B L I C STOCKS. The funded or bonded debt of a government or state. PUBLIC STORE. A government ware house, maintained for certain administrative purposes, such as the keeping of military supplies, the storing of imported goods under bonds to pay duty, etc. PUBLIC TRIAL. A trial held in pub lic, in the presence of the public, or in a place accessible and open to the attendance of the public at large, or of persons who may properly be admitted. "By this [public trial] is not meant that every person who sees fit shall in all cases be permitted to attend criminal trials, because there are many cases where, from the character of the charge and the nature of the evidence by which it is to be sup ported, the motives to attend the trial, on the part of portions of the community, would be of the worst character, and where a regard to public morals and public decency would require that at least the young be excluded from hearing and wit nessing the evidences of human depravity which the trial must necessarily bring to light. The re quirement of a public trial is for the benefit of the accused; that the public may see he is fairly dealt with and not unjustly condemned, and that the presence of interested spectators may keep his

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