Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-07-13
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ON GENERAL PRINCIPLES.
A Coiored Jury Lumps tho Tran--
eressions of One OF It's own Color

~
eressions of One OF It's own Color.
An amusing trial In a msgistr ate's court
took place several days ago at Sum mer Shade,
In Metcalfe county, says q Glasgow (ky)
correspondent Of the Louisville CouyIsr-
Journal, and well illustrates the qualifca-
tion OF the 'colored man and brother" for
jury services. A young negro about 20 years
OF age, with a general reputation for bud
habits and viciousness, had been arrested for
some mIsdemeanor, aud upon being examined
before Squire Morgan, represented himself
and demanded a jury Of his own race, which
was acceded TO by the magistrate, and
constable directed to summon a panel OF SIX
colored housekeepers. To secure a substan-
tal coored jury took the officer some hours,
but lie succeeded finally ia getting together
hslf-dozen ebon-hued gentlemen sstisfac-
tory alike 10 the county attorney and the de-
PENDANT. They were lot OF gray headed,
honest looking Old darkies, aud one Of whom
looked like a church deacon, and seemed
fully impressed with the proper dignity OF
juror and the importance Of the duty lie was
called upon for the first time In his life TO,
perform. After being duly sworn and listen
ing TO the evidence, which was positive, and
TO the short speeches Of the dcfende ndant
and the county attorney, and having been in
sisacted by the court that the punishment
for the defendants UHeuse, IL they should
believe him guilty beyond tie influence OF
reasonable doubt, was nne Of not exceeding
go, the jury retired 10 consult Of their
verdict. They were gone about thirty
minutes, when they returned and presented
the following; I'VE, the undersigned jurrey,
fined the defendent 81! aud fees for tie
lurrey," TO which two OF tue jury signed
their names and the other four made their
marks.
When Squire Morgan read aloud their re-
msrkable verdict lie could not repress
broad smile, which spread all over his
benevolent features until he was the very
picture OF mirthlulness, but quickly recover
Ing his composure he observed TO the III
tellgent jury that they had evidently not re-
garded the instruction given them relative TO
the Limitation Of punishment and informed
them that at the most they could fine de
fendant but $50.
Tnereupon the most venerable Old coon up
on the panel arose aud said: well, squire,
you air de jedge but we is de jury, anu we
all knows dls here niger, and be am Que OF
de worst lot in dis community. We knows
dat you sed find I'm so Tor De fence he guilty
ob in dis case, but den, squire, We knows oo
two or tree udder pieces oD dcbilment he bin
/ gagged In afore dis time and We Jest thought
we'd lump the Nhole business while we bout
tn
1t was plain that this was general
prime pes' Jury, aud the crowd present
evidently agreed with their verdict, but the
firm old magistrate couldn't see his instruc-
lions and the law trampled upon in any such
manner as that, however equitable TO justice
such verdict might lie, aud lie stood u bull
wark between the defendant and his Gown
race" Jury, who wanted 10 fine him upon
general principles. tie read over to them
again his instructions and directed them 10
retire again and find "A verdict in conformity
Herewith. This they did, aud fixed the
negroes fine at $50, not failing, however, 10
add the costs In their verdict also, as IL fear
full they would not be carried with ii unless
so expressed by the jury.
The wrath OF the defendant was without
bounds that "niggers' couldn't stick 10
another Niger" aud give one " their own
color far" trial. II is safe 10 say that the
precedent OF negro demanding jury Of his
race will scarcely be followed Ia Metcalfe
county 10y any other coon Who gets himself
into a scrape.