, 1874-11-22
PEIsILS OF A JUROR

PEsILS OF A JUROR.
--
Row 4 Former Convict Managed TO
Avoid Unplensnrat Investigations.
Several murder trials aud cases Of official
fraud occupied the Recorders Court, now known
as the Criminal Court, OF this city, in ths spring
OF 1870. Fully coguizaut OF the influences
brought to bear upon persons acting as jurors in
similar cases heretofore, the prosecuting officers
left nothing undone to prevent tho presence In
the jury-box Of any one who wss supposed to bo
ia sympathy With the accused in the slightest
degree. Political ntiliationa and business rela-
tions rero recognized as powerful instr11-
ments Of influence, and, when they failed, money
was used, In many Instances With effect.
Hence tho caution observed and the great care
exercised by tho States Attorney and his assist
ants in the eelection OF jurors. Tho prellmlna-
ries to acceptance as juror partook Of
THE NA1UnE or An 1NQu7S1T7oN
into the whole lie Of the resident who was 40
unfortunate ~ to be, il the op'nloo at the Sd
perysors, good mud trusty citizen. Did the
prosecution. by nIere chance, show willing
ness, or rather desire, to iDtrnst the intereats
OF the sovereign people of the Siate with tho
feuss, assuming an existance Of prejudice
aralnst their client, Subjected the Intending
juror to 4 very searching inquiry. not
ouly as to Ills creed, his shade
Of politics, his vocation, and his
pedigree, but even Os to bis moral character.
THE CRIMINAL IEcoRDa
we're consulted and II, 10 tia course Of life
time the would-be Juror had once offended tho
majesty Of the law-had n1ado ona faux pas,
which was more than atoned for by loss Of ropu-
by subsequent hfe Of uprightness-still it Vas
sought to disquallfy him from sitting in judy
ment on the accused. >.
The anxiety Of the prosecuting officers lest
Justice should misoarr5 did not cease a. soon a.
the jury were sworn and the trial begun
A SYSTEM OF ESPIONAGE
was pract1ced, 80 that info,mat.on OF every
movement Of the juror after court hours,
while the trial lasted, and every iudi-
vidual spoken to and communicated With
by him was conveyed to the State'a Attorney. It
was well known TINT the jurors on certain trial
wero approached With offers OF bribes. and ID
NOR had it thas ons actually accepted largo
bFibe; but neither the bribe- oil erors nor the
b1be-taker we're detected, as the Deputy Sler-
IFS we're corrupt, we're wholly in sympathy with
the accused, and were believed to share In the
purchase -monsy.
An INCIDENT.
occurred during that season Of criminal sig
nifcance which Is worth recording, ~ it shows
how reputable citizen was saved from being
hunted down Is another Bob Btierly through the
saEacity and charity Of the States Attorney.
Que afternoon In March, vell-dressed man,
office Of the Clerk Of the Recorders Court. He
addressed the Clerk by name and begged the
faror Of an interview. Retiring to = private
room. the stranger opened the conversation: =.
"Do you know me2"
ut is probable do; but I cannot NOW re-
member where have ever met you" was the
Clerks reply.
",Well, sr, I will be frank with ron, as want
you to do me- favor. Do you rccollect that in
18- one Frank - MAS convicted In your
court OF ennbezztement7
The Clork referred to the criminal record and
found an entr5 OF tho Charge, trial, CONVECTION.
and sentonce to ths State Prison for Two years
and Elk months
"Now," continued the stranger,
~ All THAT PER9oNt"
Tho Clerk utterly amazed at this outspoken-
ness, opened his eyes vide and looked in LIS
tonishment upon the speaker.
'You, Frank -, who was caahier in rs
State street establishment? "Yes. yes" ejacn-
lated the clerk, anxious to hear what the
stranger was next about to say.
You cannot recognize me; i; nm glad Of 1t.
We'll, served only nine mouths OF my sentence,
wheo the Governor, through tha influence Of my
friends, pardoned me. l then left the city, went
10 Europe, studied French aud German, came
back and got istalled as foreign traveller Tor
another house. ThatiB, years ago. I have
lived an honeet life slnco, got married, and have
q family"
'fcs, yes ~ again interrupted the clerk, de-
siroua that the stranger would come to the point.
Well, sir, my business With you is this"
here the clerk looked aomowhat relieved of Ills
idgetinesa-'s1 have a Summons he1e PRO-
ducing ito attend the call OF the panel Of
jurors in the -- murder case. feared
that yon Or some detective may recognize me, or
that the counsel for the people or for the de-
feuse, In the course of their searching inguiries
may put questions to me that would cause tho
discovery to he made OF my youthful misfortune.
Such disclosure would ruin mo, and bring dis
grace upon mS family
The strangers voico faltered, and it Was eri-
dent that lie was much Affected at The reference
to his fault The Clerk quickly came to bis relief;
Of attendance as juror ?"
Yes, sir. GOD knows how have sorrowed
for that ofense and if it were knowp to 1nY pres-
ent employers would certainly be discharged.
and, as il generally the case, the world would
hunt mo down as if it were guitlcss. II you
know OF any means by which such 3 misfortune
can be avertel you will have my most earnest
prayers, and God am sure will reward your
My dear sir, your wish sill be complied with.
T am only too glad to have an opportunity to do
an act OF Kindness. will see that yo1r name ia
struck from the iury-rofl and bestt1es will take
care, as far as lies in my power, that yon sbal
never again be troubled with q summons az q
Juror"
'' Is there any chance that vour action will
attract the notice OF officials to my posltion OF
the-pubc learn it 2?
The Clerk assured him that thcre was no rea-
son to fear the mention OF his name or aav
reference to himself. aud the stranger left the
office a much happier man than when he en-
tered it.