Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-04-10
Responsibility of Juriieesss::.

In this country the rights of the citi,
zen, both as respects his person and his
property, are so largely in the keeping
of the Judiciary that the rigid and i'm
partial administration OF the laws is
absolutely essential TO the peace and
well being of society and to the preser-
walton of our free institutions. The jury
system is the right arm of the Judiciary,
and as al present organized it cannot
rise much, if any, above the average in
telligence of the masses. Being pop
ular" institution. the jury box must
partake of the weaknesses and cOrrup-
tions prevalent in society, and it would
be strange indeed if there were not oc-
casional miscarriages of justice.
One of the most serious defects of the
jury system is The growing tendency to
degrade it. Instead of being kept equal
to or above the average intelligence and
sense of justice, it has run down far
below that standard. The most trust
worthy and competent citizens, as well
as those having the largest interests at
stake, avoid jury service as rule, while
on the other hand there is a constant
pressure from the lower strata for en-
ployment as jurors. To these disadvan-
tages, especially in the administration
of the criminal law, must be added the
innumerable safeguards with which one
on trial for his life or liberty is sur
rounded, the unscrupulous methods
which lawyers employ in defending the
guilty, and the facility with which the
jurors can always be fixed" in extreme
cases.
The fearful sacrifice of life and prop.
erty in Cincinnati will not be vain
offering if it shall serve to awaken the
popular conscience to the duties and re
sponsibilities devolving upon jurors
The twelve men who reduced Berner',
offense to manslaughter in order to save
his neck are measurably responsible fol
the riot. The rendition Of that unjust
verdict was the predisposing cause of all
that followed, but back of that was the
long continued abuse and prostitution OF
the jury system which rendered such
fragrant outrages upon justice possible
For this the public are to blame, since
the jury box is an agency Of their own
creation, and its management is exclu.
sively within their own control.
Statistics show that about fifteen hun.
dred murders are committed annually in
the United States, while only about one
out of every fourteen murderers is exc
cuted. 1t is not strange that when the
escape of murderers has become the rule
and their punishment the exception
lynching should be largely on the in.
crease During the past year the lynch.
ings outnumbered the legal executions
by twenty-five per cent, and unless there
is speedy reform In this matter there
is great danger that the country will
lapse into state of chronic anarchy.
The time has come for general level
ing up with respect to the jury service
and thorough revision of the laws re-
lating thereto seems imperatively de
manded. The people will not tolerate
much longer such miscarriages of justice
as have recently been witnessed in va
rious parts of the country. notably in
the Dukes and Beruer cases. 1t is equal,
Imperative that a heavy hand be laid
upon those who resort to mob violence
in or er to redress grievances, real OF
Imaginary, and to that end some read,
method should be devised by the Fed
eral Government for bringing rioters tC
their senses.-Pittsburgh Commercial
Gazette.