Le Louisianais. [volume] (Convent, La.) 1865-1883, 1870-04-23
The defects Of our Jury Laws.

On Monday, the 2nd Of May next, our Dis.
irict Court will open its semi.annual session.
Az usual, we have = right to expect a Jury
term though, from what we have been told,
BY parties WIN ought to know. il is extremely
doubtful whether there will be any Jury a, all.
The reason is obvious, if we only reflect a
moment:-
The Jurors being drawn, as the Law directs,
from all the qualified voters Of the Parish,-
the coiored AS we'll as the while,-and the
co'ored population being, by far, the larger
Of the two,-it follows, naturally, that on
almost every Jary list, out Of The for,y.eiglt
names deposited in the Jury box, about forty
or forty five are names Of colored voters, and
five or eight only Of white voters. The latter
being we'll known residents Of The Parish, are
easily found, aud, therefore, just as easily
summoned. Not SO with the others. Most Of
them, - we know, have no fixed domicil
They 60 and coms, now here now there, as
best suits their wandering habits. Some, even,
arse Temporary residents Of two or three
different Parishes, and though regularly
registered 10 at least one Of them, are not
easily reached,-if reached At ali,-by the
Sheriff or his Deputies.
This is, indeed, a serious Inconvenience,
As we'll as an unfortunate error, in the present
qnalitc alton Of Jurors, and the mode Of draw.
ing them. II impcdes the progress Of Justice.
u may also infic'.--and does actually inAict,
additional punishment to prisoners, WHO,
If tried at once, might be acquitted altogether,
whereas tbs imWssibili'y Of for'ni"g q Jury
at a stalled term Of the conr,, compels them TO
. remain imprisoned six months longer
We call this more than oversight, on the
part Of The Trainers Of the law we now speak
OF. 1t is downright injustice and cruelty; and
i is, most Internationally, an utter violation
Of ano'her's right to the enjoyment Of his
liberty. Well enough, where the crime or
m~isdsamenof Is baiIabie;-bu see the conse.
queues, when i. is not.
AS : general rule,-and though couresy,-
we could Be induced TO say, thu, Legislator
cannot justly appreciate The lsnyht Of a days
Imprisonment, Though some If them the
nsO Honorabies espscially-may have paid
more than . casual official visit 10 such places
Of retireAe nj ;-s'iii, however, are they no,
justified in pleading ignorance, Is regard.
matters Of that Importance. Men WHO are
bold enough 10 assume Legislative responsible
lines, have no RICH, 10 be ignorant. If they
are ignorant, let them stand aside, and make
way for oahers. Far Legislators must be men
Of wisdom, judgment, intelligence and expert
snce. They are hot required TO be Lawyers,-
hut they must thoroughly understand the
institutions Of their country ;-tI,ey mus. have
= correct opinion Of It's political workings,
AMI Of ito constitutional powers; they mus,
bs aware Of the essential, elements OF il.
gradients Of . democratic and republican
government. And they are bound To know,
that the first foundation Of al lsw-lu,nan
s"d diyins-is. and has always been,-jaslics
aud equity j,
Our intention is to refer again, hereafter, to
this subject, and to develop at full length,
III. IN orr opinion, should be the main
7 Publications Of 4 Juror. Want of time and :
of space prscludes us from doiog so 10 day.