The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-01-12
WHOLE NO. 100

awaits ~ III thC iiouoC. "A Od'p-
headed gentleman, with gray side
whiskers, occupied a seat in the pri-
vate gallery during Senator Logan's
speech, next to Mrs. Logan. He
took very lively interest in what was
said, burying his face in his hands
several times and dropping his chin
upen his breast frequently. Word
was passed around that the gentle
man was none other than Fitz-J Ohm
Porter, and he became the cynosure
of many eyes. The discovery was
made later that it was a case of mis-
taken identity. Every time a gray
haired or bald-headed man with nut
ton chop whiskers put in an appear
ance, however, during the day he
was regarded with curiosity by the
crowd. So far as is known, Porter
kept away from the Senate chamber.
Not very much is said about the
Star-route trial now in progress, be.
cause as yet there has been no
specially exciting episode and the
evidence being taken at this stage is
of routine character. Nothing can
be arrived at as to the probable result
Of the trial, except 4 judgment based
on general principles and putting
Of this and that together. | sat for
an hour Yesterday studying the pro-
ceedings and the jurors. AS the
twelve men in the jury box, supposed
to be good and true citizens, are to
be the final judges of both the law
and the facts in this important trial,
public interest naturally turns to
them. They are, with but few ex-
ceptions, men Of very moderate in
telligence and some Of them evident
ly far below mediocrity. Eight OF
the Jurors are white and four are
colored, the colored jurors having
been accepted from the regular panel,
while four of the white are talesmen
summoned to the ungracious task by
Marshal McMichael. The jury as a
whole, looks TO be quite below the
Average and it, lacks what is usually
noticeable in juries-several ar par
emily intelligent and controlling
minds. 1t may seem harsh to pre-
Judge the new Star.rou,e jury, but
must record that to me they do not
appear to be men suited to the work
men capable of trying such case
where all the appliances Of money,
influence and legal accumen are to
be employed to defeat justice.
To me it seems that under all the
circumstances we must look for little
less than miracle to compass con-
viction OF Dorsey and Brady. The
Star.route combination ramifes every
where in this city. 1t has its fingers
and toes in the departments, in the
hotels, and its feelers extend to bar
bers, coachmen, servants, bootblacks
and every channel where men of any
grade can be made useful. The
colored jurors, all of whom are in
straightened circumstances, and one
Of whom earns precarious living
by day labor, will be reached and
tempted in a hundred ways, and
when such men, who had never
owned $500 in their livee and who
have no great amount Of reputation
to lose, can be tempted with tens OF
thousands, is it reasonable to expect
any conviction2 They may prove
stronger than the wealth they never
dreamed of possessing, or they may
be inundated by the tear OF punish
ment but it will be marvel, indeed,
if a jury with little intelligence to
guide them and little character TO
to lose, as a rule shall be able to
maintain the majesty of justice in her
sanctuary.
|
President Arthur is the first Presi-
dent since Mr.. Buchanan to return to
what has been known for generations
as the Presidents church--St. Johns
Episcopal. He walks across Lafay-
cite Park to the church, and goes in
at side door, while his fellow par
ishoners are making all the hullaba.
loo thev can at the front entrance,