Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1884-06-01
THE REASON WHY.

Several days ago we published what
purported to be list Of the grand and
pstit Jurors chosen by the County Com.
missioners for the ensuing year. Today
We publish different list selected by
the same body. In the document fol-
lowing will be found the causes which
led 10 the change:
Ponr TOWNSEND. May q. 1884.
J. r. Ronald, Esq, Deputy Prosecat-
iaq Attorney-Sir: have recently no
ticed the selection Of jurors by the
Board of Commissioners Of King county
az published, and II seems to me, from
seeing that all are males on both the
petit and grand jury lists, that serious
mistake is being made.
I call your attention to Section 207S
Of the Code, which il as follows:
"All qualified electora shall be- com
petent to serve as petit jurors, and all
qualified electors and householders shall
be competent to serve as grand jurors"
Section 2080 provides that the Bnard
shall, on or before the first Monday of
May in each year. cause TO be prepared
two Jury lists, ono of which shall cor :
tain the names of all persons qualified
70 serve in their county as petit jurors,
and the other the namss of all persons
qualified to serve as grand Jurors. As
soon ~ said lists are prepared, and said
Commissioners are mot, they shall select
the names OF ~ petit Jurors and % grand
Jurors, and certify the same to tue Clerk
II the District Court, etc.
The intent of this legislation Is that
al the legal voters of the county shall
be placed on the list for petit jurors,
and oil the legal voters who are honse-
holders shall be placed on the list for
grand Jurors.
AS this time great many of the wo-
men Who comprise large part OF our
population are legal voters, and there
should be an honest effort to place them
oa the list Of petit jurors. There are
many of them who are electors and
househslders, and qualified as grand
Jurors. such wamen should be placed
en- the grand jury list. Then the selec
aon Tor grand and petit jurors should
Dc made from these lists.
such q selection should be made as
wi bring upon the jury q fair proper
tioa OF all classes that are morally and
Fentahy Nv Ior Jury uuty.
selection that Is manifestly unfair
and partial IL packing of the juries,
and consequent fraud upon the public.
Afailnre to make these lists rs required
oy the statute, and to select fairly for a
grand jury, can be shown by any de-
iendant whea indisted, and his indict'
ment set aside, IL he had not been ar.
rested at the time of the convening OF
Me grand jury; and If he has been, he
can quash the panel. Ihe lists and Sc
,ecf'ons, therefore, az required by law,
ae Al the foundation of every criminal
prosecution. We may attempt to con-
get murderers and scoundrels, and the
supreme Court set conviction aside and
justice fail, because officers have failed
mob Law,
=, ihe statute fixing the first Monday oi
nay a. the time when this shall be done
olfectory, and not mandatory; and
sae bosrd can prepare these lists now
suu should rescind any action they have
TIE jury.
call your attention to Section 20s'
- me Cede, which shows that the Legis
se safe mas provided a way TO compel tbs
.aa performance Of all these duties b,
se,y oiiicer who is oontumaclous ol
neelectful.
:. write this letter to you with feeling
rgfet; but sense of duty impel
e, N order that trouble in the futur'
Iay oe avoided. IL officers are opposet
sSsliowine women TO do jury duty, the.
.souid. now that the Law ia clearly tha
~, give IT fair and impartial trial
~ y works badly. the next sessiol
W .ae legislature will wipe IL eut.
1oa VIII please permit the Beard o
sn,snissioners A. Of King county to real
~. - iester, and aid them In examinin
" Mv and urge them TO its fulflmeni
's's truly yours,
CHARLES M. BRADSHAW,
PrOaeeutino Attornay