New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-14
A JUROR DEFENDS HIMSELF.
HIS ACCOUNT OF THE REMARKABLE DrrIBrRArroxe
OF THE JURY IN THE FISHER CASE

TO the Editor Of The Tribune
FIR: As much has been said In tho past two days
regarding my conduct Juror In the case Of fIop-
hema j. Fisher against the city, and the press hes
quoted one OF the jurors as saying that my namo
ought to be stricken from the list, that was noe
only not ft 10 be juryman but not III TO be an
American citizen, think tho press owes It to to
print my explanation of how the jury came to disagree
In Mrs. Fishers consider that tho whole DIS
cusson In the jury room disgrace to the system
OF trial By jury. After a few honrs' discussion wo
finally agreed that the plaintiff was entitled to some
thing and VIC proceeded to discuss she
entitled to for damages. 1 myself, convinced
rom the evidence, which was very contradictory,
that Ms. Fisher, either willfully unwiiuily, had
deceived her doctors her friends and herself as tho
extent OF her Injuries. The plaintiff had sworn in her
own testimony that she had not been abio TO go to
any place VI amusement church, but only to the
Office OF her physician, and back for treatment, and
then, only with the assistance Of her friend, Mrs.
Palmer, whereas she was obliged to admit on cross
examination, and large number Of witnesses testified
for the defendant that she had been seen at Concy
Island had been in business at Mddletown, had been
TO Boston within two weeks after her accident had.
one occasion, been shopping for four hours, had
walked long distances and climbed many flights Of
stairs two or thee tines week. and did believe
that tho condition Of The plaintiff bah as her law
ycrs claimed was willing, however. under tie cir
cumstances, to allow. her i've thoasand dollars Any
more, thought would be violation Of my oath as
discuss the evidence, but insisted that should give in
to them. One Of them raised his hand strike me on
81 600, said he had never witnessed such disgraeefui
scene before and he had been serving In the box OF
one ary%an for ZOO Sa and ayo yS'sa for
$4,000 They accused me Of going into the inry-box
me that i made no difference 70 me any way a. tho
money would not come out Of their pockets, bat from
the city, and that II was sure to be stolen from the
city some other way, and might as well be given TO
THIS woman Several Jurors agreed with NE at first,
but s, Went oyer to the majority Lecause they wanted e
with the way they were being abused for maintaining
hsr own na ppnS1s T. h9Seyer rosed to be bull
against my conscience a citizen. IL any far-mInded
Sa y own as " he no, 70
Barrett wishes to Investigate" jurors who hold to
their honest opinions he can IN this instanre ~ ,cast
ERNST f. FMKEssrAEpr
No. 742 East 1ina..st. Jan. 10. 1855
PROFESSOR PATToN's CLAIMS TO PROMOTION.
To The Edftor OF The Tribune.
SIR: As grauats Of both the college and seminary 81
Princeton behave stats the wish OF hundreds Of the
aunn OF tae College OF New-Jsrsey in expressing de-
sire for the election to its presidency OF Pat
ton. Ideubt II there be man who ever sat In Dr. Pat
tons classes whs dsss not regard him In every way
worthy OF tho ONCE In question Certainly that Is re.
markable praise but IL Is just It 10 generally granted
believe that other things being equal the preference
should be given to the candidate who 10 ordained
clergyman. and who is also distinguished scholar IL
the par tcuar department. that Dr. McCosh has Gig
nally adorned
Dr. Patton meets both Conditions Moreover. he IL %
distinguished theolsgan. He 10 eloquent preacher
He has been Moderator of tho PrssbJ General As
senby He has been eminently successful teacher
ofysung in both the theological seminary ard tho
college he la. the crowRing excellence OF understand
Ing and sympahizng with young and of invzria
ronsag their enthusiasm aud WANING their personal
friendship iIeis sminenty scholar aad Princeton
new new Reeds In her executive chair-what indeed abe
found niseeen years ago in DR. HcCosh-a scholar and
teacher The new president should be scholar rather
than man Of affairs.
With its financial prosperity assured the policy Of
Princeton hencsforth should be primarily and chiefly
emphasize and promote It's iatsestuai life both by
tanning high standard OF scholarship amsnS -
students and by insisting upon intellectual worth tho
primary not sole quality ~ ell its prsfessrs 70
TO me that such policy would receive is strongest
possible Endorsement by the election Of Professor Francis
Patton. ALuMNus
Nelc- FORK, jan 4, 1883.