American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-10-01
From the Spirit of the Times.1
CHI A PIT Err ON JU RIES
A BACKwooDs JURY

BACkW OODS JURY
Ny Dear "Spirit "-One of your correspon-
nts few weeks ago gave you an amusing
scrption Of an Arkansas Court scene, where
certain pig-stealer was summoned to answer
r coyeting his neighbours hogs. 1t reminde ed
e of a case described to me by legal gentle
s an some years since, as having occurred in
lie same State, indicative of the Intelligence Of
Backwoods Jury.
8 1t appears that character in those parts, no.
brious not for the most enyiabla and rigid sys-
I'M Of morals, was indicted, imprisoned, and
bout to be tried for stealing certain smoked
og-better known as "bacon." Judge B,
ninent as lawyer, (snce Senator in Con-
|ress, happened at the same time to have bu-
ness in the same Court, and at the urgent re-
pest of the unfortunate victim of the law, he
as induced to visit him in the Jail.
After short dialogue, the Judge was re-
uested to act as his counsel-a fee of $50 at
ne same time being proffered Judge B,
pom questioning the man, found, that-lst.
10 had stolen the bacon. Cd. that several wit
esses had seen him in the act, who were sum-
honed to give their testimony against him; and
d. that a portion of the bacon was found in his
Judge B declined taking the fee, saying
conviction was certain.
Prisoner Judge, | want you to get
lp and talk to 'em."
Judge B" at would do you no good,
my man-the testimony cannot fail to con-
Eict you. | cannot, conscientlously take your
money"
Prisoner-"That's my look out Judge;
/ all want of you is to get up and talk to
I'em." -..
The Judge, being thus pressed, told the man
1t would be entirely futile.
The cause came on next day. The witness
ses swore point blank to the identity of the pri-
|soner-his stealing and possession of the bacon.
Judge B, according to promise, got up and
addressed the jury, "talking 10 Them in a way,
anything rather than to the purpose, for about
Fifteen minutes; and the case went to the jury.
What was his establishment when they-with-
out leaving the box-brought in the prisoner
|"not guilty" He was, of course, Immediately
liberated.
Judge B, taking him aside, said
swell, my man, what can have induced the
Jury to bring in such verdict, it enterely be-
yond my mprehension-how, with such tes-
timony, they could bring you in "not guilty.
is utterly unaccountable TO me.''
JUDGE" said The released culprit, with a
knowing wink, eight on EN- had some Of The
bacon!"
The rascal knew perfectly we'll that the emf
nence Of the counsel would shelter the jury in
bringing in verdict for the party for whom
he might act. ~,
A .Nsw York Jury. There was cause here
however, in our criminal court, some years
since, which was quite equal to it in manage
ment, and which caused considerable amuse
ment, subsequently,, at the expense of the coun
sci.
A scamp was taken up for stealing silve
spoons. The spoons were found in his posses
sion-in fact, like the hog man, he was taker
in the act. In this situation, with the Stat
Prison gloomily inviting him within its gaping
portals in the distance, the rogue was IAN u
send Tor counsellor -, practitioner emf
nent for his success in sheltering rascallty am''
the meshes and technicalities of the law, bu
with whom, "No cure, no pay" was tn
motto.
The mans case was soon told; the story wa
apparently hopeless; but he showed the advo
cate that he could, if released, afford to pa
500 for his escape from the clutches of Jus
iice. One hundred dolars!-'Twas a goo
fee! Counsellor --- sat down and studio
within himself awhile, then getting up and rut
bling his hands, told the prisoner that he cha
it"-that he was to ffeign diocy, and whe
called up for trial, ne was to know nothing, an