Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-02-27

lied on but few women on eithe,
panel changed the face of things a,
once; and from that day this kind O.
vice has trembled before the law ant
hidden itself from sight, where former
ly 1t stalked abroad with shameless
front and brazen confidence in protec.
tlon from punishment.
There are, comparatively, so few
women here, and those are so general
ly Kept at home by domestic duties,
that the Courts have been unable to
obtain as many of them for Jurors as
was desirable. But those who have
served have uniformly acquitted them
selves with great credit. Not a single
cerdtct, cica or criminal, has been Sc,
dS'de where wOmen haze COMPOSED a
part Of the jury. This has not been
the case, by any means, WHEN they
nave not been present. They have
gwen better attention than the men
nave to the progress of the trials
have remembered the evidence better
have paid more heed to the charges of
the Court have been less influenced by
business relations, and outside consid-
erations; and have exhibited a keener
consclentlousness in the honest dis.
charge OF responsibility. And | have
heard OF no instance where they have
incurred any odium, or Twill, or want
OF respect, for having served as Jurors.
on the contrary, | am quite sure that
IN every instance they have been more
highly respected and more generally
appreciated in consequence of it.
There is one other influence that has
grown out of the presence of women
IN the court room, both as Jurors and
as hallitfs, that has been most apparent
and welcome it is the quiet order and
decorum, the decent and respectful be-
havior, the gentlemanly bearing that
has always been observed in their pres
encc. The spectators come there bet
Ter dressed, chew less tobacco and spit
less, sit more quietly in their seats,
walk more carefully on the floor, talk
anu Whisper less; and in all respects
the court room assumes "A more di0ni-
lied and business like air; and better
progress is made in dsposing of the
matter in hand
Certainly the whole effect on our
courts and on our community. resnlt-
ing from the participation of women in
the administration of the laws has
oeen most beneficial and satisfactory
and II seems to me peculiarly proper
lhat those "ho suffer most from the
commission of crime and the evils Of
vice, should take part in its supprcs.
sion and punishment.
There Is another matter in which We
nave been greatly benefited bv this
law and that is the change it has
wrought on election days. and its ill.,
huence at the polls. Formerly our
H'ectiohs were scenes Of drunk Ken rcy.I /
ana morse OF lighting and riot. But
"heh The women came To vote. they
we're always treated with the attention
ana respect everywhere shown to wo-
Hen IN the | nltcd States. If therr
vas crowd around the polls. they AL
'ats gave way when woman an-
'foached and were silent and orderly
'illic she deposited her vote and went
way. If men became intoxicated
hey did not remain where the women
'ouid see them No noisy discussions
'ouid arise around the polls. hecouso
' '''ao'y' when woman came up all
ich conversation would cease The
'ct mas been that very few peoplc
atlered at the polls and noise and
zen enLneiy unnnu"n une'v. Al 'nVh ,
rank too much as they sometimes did,
ley remained at the drinking shops,
ach political party by itself; and con
,quently avoided the quarrels and
ollisions that so often occur; while
he people went TO the polls and voted
5 quietly rs they 90 to churca- Im-
/ Itself has been gain IN our com
nunity OF no smaii moment.
AZ first there WAS quite a number of
,omcn who refused to vote INT ~
VERY election that number has gr"Nn .
ess until now very few, if any, t.a' %
xercise the privilege. Many reiAse
o vote AS their husbands do, but l
laye not heard of any domestic dis
ord or trouble growing out OF such
.oursc.
In conclusion, | wish to say, as
broadly and as unqualified as l can
Express it, that while l have seen
great many advantages and much pub
ic good grew out of this change in our
avs, | have seen none Of the evils or
so generally apprehend-
ed and so warmly denounced by the
opponents of the measure.
Very respectfully, j. w. KINGMAN.
Associate Justice United States Su-
preme Court, Wymoing Territory.