New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-04
LOCAL MISCELLANY.

LOOhIi
THE PAY OF THE TlLT0N-BEECHER JURORS.
YRoTRAcTED DISCUSSION IN THE BROOKLYN BOARD
or SUPERVISORS ON THR QUESTION OF EXTRA
CoMPENsAuoN-PROPosITIo TO GIVE THE JU-
RYMEN IS OR So PER DAY AppITIoNAL-THE
MATTER LAID ON THE TABLE-FRUITLEsS At
TEMPT TO TAKE 1T UP AND SECURE ACTION.
At meeting of the Kings County Board OF
Supervisors In Brooklyn, yesterday Supervisor Fisher
ep) presented certified copy of the act fixing the sal
Of jurors In protacted beyond thirty days.
and giving the Supervisors power to fix the rate OF com
pensaton and to audit the bills for such compensation
and meals furnished TO the jurors The Supervisor
also presented certificate from Chief Justice Nelson
that the riaof the Of Tlton against Beecher had
been necessarily protraced beyond thirty days He also
offered resolution directing the County Treasurer upon
receipt of certificate from Chief Justice Nelson to pay
Juror in the S. day as extra
compensation for each day that the trial shall he pro
longcd beyond thirty days from its beginning Super
visor Zndel Rep moved that the resolution be tabled
but at the urgent request OF Supervisors Ropes epb
Howell Dem.), and others, he withdrew his monon Mr.
Ropes then said he very sorry that the Legislature
had introduced such bone of contention into the
Board"
Mr. Fisher said that ne had presented the documents
and offered the resolution at the request OF the foreman
OF the Ton Beecher jury twho was present. ana hat the
and the counsel on both sides agreed IN say
Jurors we're entted 10 coipchn$''"".
Jurors said generally called for one week. ana
could not be compelled TO serve more than inc 'hrty
DAYS which constitutes full trial term ana can only DC
extended by special act OF the Legislature Inc ''u
IN question had been prolonged under such an "o'
and the Jurors were virtually prisoners OF the law
II had been said by that the jury ""s
composed OF volunteers, but therelwas no tahsine e
dence 10 show that they not been lawfully Selected
and were not serving in obedience to the mandate Oh e
law They had been prevented from trahsactihS inc"
private business, and upon some the service hau la
very heavily in a pecuniary sense. No matter when
way they should decide, they would be eensured by
many for the case was only trial before Them pu
also before the people, and the verdict OF the jury no
matter what il might be- would not be accepted az ha
Mr. Ropes said that matter what the verdict he tho
,ury would have cause to fear any censure II they
should decide according their best judgment Jurors
he said took their chances for long OF short term Oh
,eryce and the Legislature desired TO give them rehe1
would been wiser to have provided Tor an eNehP
ton from fury duty for three years erJuors
had served protracted terms. Mr.. OConneh tDcnl
thought that extra compensation should DE al
lowed and suggested that IS per day should be consd
much the could be cut down. Mr. French
(Rep) said that the jurymcn were getting along very
we'll and some getting fat, one having ealheu ~
pounds in weight He thought that any extra eompch
saon for jurors ought TO be paid by the parties 10
the suit and by the county, which had already been
,ubectcd to large expense Mr. Gardner Dem) said
that the case being one civil damages he believed
that the Court had the power TO assess the expense upon
the htigants and not bring in bills against the pubhe
treasury for $4,000 600 for extra pay for jurors
Mr. Strong (Rcp) Acting Chairman OF the Law Com
mittee said that the resolution would be imperative re
cause 1t provided for payment without reference to the
County Auditor as provided by the statutes 1t would
also imperative because 1t provided for pIaenca
payment of the jury in advance to the end OF the i
Said he Till the end of the trial! When VIII the tl1ai
endi Fit goes forever where will the money come
Tho {a1ror Mr.
fix the proposed extra compensation ct 50 per day
for each juror Considerable further discussion
ensued and Mr. Hin Giep) also moved to fix the amount
at SO per day. Mr. Trowbridge tRep) moved TO amend
by making per day the rate OF extra compensa
ton Mr.. Dwyer Dom) opposed the whole matter siren
uousy. Mr. Zndel said that lie once ON jury in
EewYork for two weeks that the jury failed to agree
and he got nothing and would have received only 129
they had agreed After some further debate
on motions refer, the subject laid the table on
motion Of Mr.. Mcintyre Q)eml by vote Of 20 to 10.
After some miscellaneous business had been transacted,
Supervisor Rawley Rep at late hour, moved that the
resolution concerning extra compensation Tor jurors be
taken from the table The question: he said, was exct-
ting great deal Of public interest lie had been urged
70 vote for extra compensation and admonshed to vote
against He thought il the duty OF the Board TO
represent the Of the people well as its own
views He Tia refore urged reference to the Law Com
mittee Mr. Dwyer opposed the motion to take from the
table, He said the extra compensation would amount TO
$l5,OOO or SlooVU anu 10 jurors were Justcu III ohns
g. per day for service on any trial Mr. Howell sa!d
that as many OF the Supervisors had left the Board 1t
would be unfair TO take any further present action
Mr. Fisher stated that Of the jurors
had Just told him. request OF the counsel for both Sides
counsel wanted TO appear before the Committee
and state their views. Mr.. French hoped that there
would be reference TO the Law Committee, and said
that enough had been heard from the lawyers already,
and that, eminent as they were, they could not inform
thu Board OF It's duty Mr. Howell moved the previous
question and the calling Of the roll resulted in tie vote
OF to 49, which changed negative by the vote
OF srperyisoraLarg Fox and the subject remained
the table. The Board aferward adjourned.
lfOT Report 81 Beeer Trial Thrd and f0aJM
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