Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-03-06
NEGRO JURORS.
A PanneI of Negroes Sum-
moned I'm the Crini-
~. nal Court.
A Leading Radical Protest.
Against their Selection.
The Court Staggered. but III.
nalIy Requests Cuffee to
Take n Seat.

Take n Seat.
Yesterday the case Of J. Williams and
T. Martin (negroes), for numbering q
negro in Nonconnah bottom, was brought
before the Criminal Court, and Sheriff
Winters summoned a large number OF
negroes as jurors, the present State law
rendering this class eligible as Jurors.
The fact was no sooner announced
than Capt Harry s. Lee, one of the
Radical bright lights and generally
understood TO not only regard Cuiiee as
"a man and q brother" but large
number of blood relations, jumped up
and protested against the introduction
Of his colored brethren. Under the cir
cumstances be did not wish to proceed
further with the case. He believed such
proceeding wholly Illegal and sug-
gested to the Court that the Court had
no official knowledge Of the passage Of
any such. Captain Lee grew eloquent,
and urged the Court to dismiss the
negroes whom the Sheriff had summoned.
Orville Yerger, Esq, for the defense,
had no objection to offer, and desired
the case to 20 on. The laws rendered
colored men eligible, and besides the
gentleman who had SO strongly objected
was not even connected with the case.
The State and the defense were satisfied
with the Sheriii's action, and he de-
manded that the jurors be called to
answer the call Of the roll.
Judge Hunter, from the bench, re-
marked that the objection opened up sew
eral questions. 1t had been announced
in the newspapers that a law rendering
colored men eligible as jurors had passed,
but he had seen no certified copy of the
act. 1t was a question whether the pres
ent Legislature could legally repeal the
sixteenth section Of the franchise law.
He desired the case continued until Mon
day, that he might examine the question.
In his opinion the consent Of counsel
could not make incompetent jurors COM
petent. a
Attorney General Wallace said such
things were in common practice, and
cited number Of illustrations. He be-
lieved negroes competent as jurors I'M
der the law, and wished the trial to pro-
coed. V4tNHe e
Captain Harry Lee again protested,
asserting that there was no law in exis-
tence that rendered negroes competent
jurors.
Messrs. Yerger, Bullock and Sale be-
lieved it to be the right of defendants to
insist on the negroes being called and
the case going on. They believed the n
competent as jurors.
Pending a decision, the Court adj
journed until 2 o'clock.
At that hour Mr.. Yerger produced an
official copy of the act, and the negro
jurors were accordingly called and
sworn in.
We mention this incident at length ,
reveal to those negroes who are able to
understand plain propositions the hol-
lowness of the professions of their pre-
tended friends. Captain Ice is regarded
a pink of Radicalism He rolls the ne
gro as a sweet morsel under his tongue,
and regards his perfume sweeter than
those of Arabia. To him it is balm of
a thousand flowers and frangipani. But
when the practical test comes he isn't
"dar." So anxious was he to keep
negroes off the iuries that he did not
even await case in which he was in
terested as counsel.
OF course the law is unconstitutional !;
but its passage was secured in the inte-
rest of Radicalism. Radical politicians
like Lee could take an official copy into
the Loyal League, turn to gaping Africa
and say Behold, beloved brethren,
what we have done for you. We have
given you the right to vote, and the right
to hold office aud sit on juries." When
the test comes, they plead unconstitu :
tionality. The negroes will learn to dis
tinguish between their friends and office
seeking pretenders after awhile.
Drake & Co. have removed to No. 279
Main street, with J. T. Handlan IL Co.,
where they continue to sell regardless of
cost.
REGIsrRATIoS TROUBLES IN FAYETTE