The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-03-24

IN the discharge OF such duty. Trial by jury has
been universally proclaimed as the "pride and bull
wark of our liberty" guaranteed to us by that i'm
perishable document. the constitution
We do not know why it is that portion OF our
citizens should be so frequently called upon to de-
vote so much OF their time in settling private dis
putes, and nlfing deinquencies OF no personal in.
,erest to themselves, of any particular benefit to
the community at large, without fee, compensation,
thanks, or reward.
II is by no means matter Of rare occurrence, In
our civil courts, to fad jurymen celebrating for
days and nights upon some trifling and unlmporant
issue OF private maligniy, engendered, perhaps, by
vindictive and prosecuting spirit OF double-deal-
ing, and in no way involving the real interests of
the parties concerned.
With such repeated instances coming within our
daily intercourse, we are no longer surprised that
those Of citizens who are eligible to jury duty
are SO frequent with their complaints. 1t is great
tax upon cur business men, and one certainly, which
requires prompt and immediate reform
In referring to the laws of James, Duke of York.
as far back as 1864, we find it was provided that
"cvery jurynan shall be allowed three shllings
and sixpence (sterng) per diem out Of the profits
in each court or by the country if these prof is
shal! fall short
This law was probably In force until the close of
the seventeenth century; for we find similar pro-
visions engrossed in the "great charter Of beres,"
granted in October, 1858, fully approved and sane
toned by James.
Then came the act Of l741, which imposed some
additional compensation to jurymen, and which
was in no way modified or disturbed until after that
great period Of events-l74.
No one seems to doubt but that jurymen should
be compensated In some way, for the time employed
by them in the discharge of their responsible obi
cations; and the only question at issue appears to be
In what manner, or by whose authority, they should
be compensated.
II were an easy matter to adopt some statutory
provision TO this effect; it might be so provided
that those parties bringing an action should become
responsible for this, well other attendant costs
Of the court Our legal functionaries receive high
salaries tor the duties incumbent upon them; and,
upon the same rule, we know not why our jurymen
should not be rewarded for their labor and time
while so employed.
The duty itsefis disagreeable one, independent
OF the privations the jurors are compelled to un-
dergo during the period Of their deliberations.
SMALL STATES VS.. LARGE STATES We perceive
from a circular addressed to members of Congress,
and signed by number of respectable men, that
the citizens Of the northern part of the Territory of
Iowa, are DESTROYS Of having the Territory divided
into two portions. They propose to divide the ter
rtory at the 42d degree of north lat tude extending
from the Mississippi on the east, to the Missouri
river on the west. The principal object that is urg-
ed in favor Of this division, is, that the policy and
welfare OF the West require an increase of repre-
sentation and influence in the Senate OF the United
States
II Is known by our readers, that convention was
recently held in Iowa, for the purpose of forming
constitution and being admitted into the family of
States but on account of the diversity of interests
represented, the delegates could not agree upon
constitution Those in favor of the proposed divi-
sion, say that
The boundaries heretofore proposed bv the Iowa
% Well as those proposed by Congress-
gle state and leaves the adjacent country IN an una
favorable situation for the formation of new States II
the division should be made on the 42d parallel Of lati
tude, Iowa will contain at least twenty thousand
square miles OF land possessing unsurpassed fertility
an abundance Of timber Of water power and excellent
az degrees 10 minutes Iowa would contain at least
80 600 square miles. Such division would have de.
ton latudinslly assimated and characteristc posses
sing more homogenity OF feeling Of temper
ament OF habits pursuits, and education than exist be-
tween citizens OF northern and southern localities The
local interests and pursuits Of citizens residing south
Of the Add parallel Of latitude diamericsy Different
from those Of the north. South Of that line they are
predoninanty agricultural people, while those north
are chiefly interested in mining operations This clash
ing OF arising from the same source has
ed and still exists 10 sister State Illinois, and we
think the unfortunate that have 90 much re-
the growth and prosperity of that rich and beau
be attributed this cause And we shall not be surpris
ca II yet produce division, and the formation Of
southern portion Of wisconsin The parallel Of iati.
tude we propose, will most likely be the dividing line
between these two interests. II placed south Of the
small and placed north of the AID degree is minutes
It will infringe upon the interests Of the rth and cor.
evils to which have alluded Os a. as o. OF
degrees has been spoken Of There is an addi
line !. would give the Territory an unseemiy and awk
ward shape as would ntersect the Missouri river lust
below the great bend several hundred miles OF the
point where the southern boundary would intersect it.
would cut of all prospect Of another State for many
years as but lew white Inhabitants reside outside that
would be sufficient population to form another ne
state IN I'VE not three years as there about
too sms 10 ns sT J. would also
formation Of Territorial government but the settlers
would with the proposed division, BE- embraced within
the new Territory In addition to what has already been
said think experience has shown that large State
policy not best calculated to advance our interests
have long since adopted the policy Of small states with
success The South is beginning to adopt it, PROPOSE.
ton is already before them for the formation Of NJ
state, from Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi Flo.
rida too will doubtless ultimately be divided Texas
VIII be divided and subdivded as soon her population
Union divided and subdvided into States Of reason
able and convenient size, we good reason why
the great West able 10 double the population
East and North can, should be divided into few man.
moth States, each as large a. ell New England"
We hardly think that the West has any reason to
complain of want of influence in the national gov.
eminent; but still we see no good reason why the
Territory OF Iowa should not be divided, If its cti
zens think proper On the contrary, il the proposed
division were effected, all difficulty Of forming
States out Of the parts would be at an end, and a
constitution would be Immediately formed by each,
and couple more of bright stars would twinkle in
our armament.
Tuy Ann