The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-11-20
THE NEGRO IN LOUISIANA
On ths Jury Garry Out de Judgment -
Filming Both Parties - Divorces.
TPlaauemines Cor. New York Sun

flnlng ttOth hfhrttos-Dfvorces-
TPlaauemines Cor New York SUM-
Negroes SIT as jurors in all the courts OF
Louisiana, and here, Of course, they are al
ways in the majority on toe jury. some
time, there b,ing only ono or two whites
amung the twelve. have never heari any
complaints Of their verdicts, and in cases
between the races I have never known
them to show any partiality to their own
color.
AT our last term Of court there were
thirty-two conviction, out OF thirty-four
trials. 1t is said that the darkies don't think
they are earning their jury fees unless they
bring in verdict for the state. At any
rate, the di trict attorney told me hs pre-
ferrsd u negro jury in criminal cases. He
himself Is popular with all classes,
and the following suggestive convsr-
sation occurred on the Junior plantation
few days ago The planter was asking one
OF his hands what he had done on the jury
last term. "Me9 l greed 'zactly with Mr.
Jimmy (the district attorney You know
he's the states officer, and when he done tell
me what dc law Is knows it's so. jess
goes by him."
1t is refreshing in these times of acquittal
on hair-splitting and technicaiities to get
hold Of jurie, who are In for business OF
course, here as elsewhere. larceny is the
most common crime Of the negro; but as
sault and battery, wounding. and even
murder, are not uncommon Tho sentences
must be meted out alike to both races, else
! should have heard.
Black justices Of the peace sometimes givs
queer decisions. Not long since, in ono of
the lower wards Mr.. Johns was suing Mr..
Bozier for the ownership of an OK Many
n
pro and con followed. Finally the justice
said: II decide dat dc OK belongs to Mr..
Bozier, and dat de OK be sold to pay de
costs OF court. Constable. carry out do
judgment"
Like their white brethren, they hold that
one Of tho first principles Of justice Is TO
make sure Of the costs Of court
It Is favorits proceeding with the dark
les to settle their personal or family quar-
rels before justice of the peace, and plaint-
iR and defendant are invariably accompa-
MED by long string Of friends and wit
nesses. The judge usually fines both par
ties, and justly, for both are generally IN
the wrong; but what Inever can understand
about it is why both parties always return
home satisfied. The fines are usually "a to
So, and however scarce the cash may be,
the amount is always forthcoming.
They rarely bring suits in the civil
courts except in the matter Of divorce
Most Of them formerly changed wives
according to fancy but. as they have
become educated up TO the respect
ability OF the license and the minister
many Of them now find 1t necessary to look
to the law for releass from the irksomeness
Of the marital tie. There is a little village
Of about forty families called Oakville just
twenty five miles below New Orleans. They
have church there and also a benevolent
association, the members Of which, paying
rs cents a month each, are in case Of sick
ness entitled to medical attendance, and in
case of death to a free grave and funeral.
On the cooperative principle, six Of the men
from this village went up to q lawyer in
New Orleans a few months ago to make ap-
plication for divorces. telling him, as they
wanted to obtain them cheaply. they had
clubbsd together so that he could get it
done in lump"