The Northwestern standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1885-1886, 1885-11-14
THE NEGRO IN LOUISIANA.
On tho Jury Garry Guide Judgmsnts'
Timing Both PARTIES Divorces.

On t1ls Jury ~ Garry Out do Judgment -
Filming both PARTIES Divorces.
TPlauuemines Cor New York Snn1
Negroes sit as jurors in all the courts Of
Louisiana, and here, OF course, they are al
ways in the majority on the jury. some
times there being only one or two whites
among the twelve have never heard any
complaints Of their verdicts, and in cases
between the races I have never known
them to show any Partially to their owe
color. ti
At our last term Of court there wers
Shirty-two convictions 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 district attorney told me he pre-,
ferred negro jury in criminal cases. BE
himself is popular with all classes,
and the following suggestive CONVEX
sation occurred on the Junior plantation a
few DAYS ago The planter was asking one
of his hands what he had done on the jury
last term. aMea greed 'zactly with Mr..
Jimmy the district attorney. You know
he's the states officer, and when he done tell
me what de law is, knows it's so. ! jess
goes by him.
It is refreshing in these times of acquittal
on hair-splitting and technicalities to get
hold of juries 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. The sentences
must be meted out alike to both races. else
should have heard.
Black Justices Of the peace sometimes give
queer decisions. Not long since, in one of
the lower wards Mr.. Johns was suing Mr..
Boiler for the ownership of an OK. Many
witnesses were called, and long arguments
pro and con followed. Finally the justice
said: ~ decide dat de OK belongs to Mr..
Boiler, and dat de OK be sold to pay de
costs of court Constable, carry out de
Judgment"
Like their white brethren, they hold that
one of the first principles Of justice is to
make sure of the costs of court.
1t is a favorite proceeding with the dark
les to settle their personal or family quar-
rels before justice of the peace, and plant
if 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 never can understand
about it is why both parties always return
home satisfied. The fines are usually 81 to
&c. 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 it necessary to look
to the law for release 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 benevolent
association, the members of which, paying
Is cents month each, are in ca Q 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 lawyer in
New Orleans a few months ago to make APP
plication for divorces, telling him, as they
wanted to obtain them cheaply, they had
dubbed together SO that he could "get it
done in lump"