The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-04-05
BULLYING LAWYERS.
How They IIarass aud Nonpius Witnesses
IL Cross-ExaminatiOn.


i Ia CONGRATULATIONS.
| There are many standard tricks Of
cross-cxamnation that will discomfort
most witnesses. One OF these Is the
plan Of making witness fix a time
when he has declared that he can not
rccollect. The examiner begins: Nv as
it hundred years. Fifty years?
Forty years? Was it more than a
day? More than a month"; and SO
on. narrowing the time SO that the
average witness will not know how 10
protect himself This always amuses
the audience.
Another torture OF witnesses Is TO be
compelled to repeat conversations; to
give the exact words; TO say it over
and over again. II there is any dis
crepancy the examiner gloats in tri-
umph. II there Is no discrepancy
then the examiner hints that the story
has been learned BY heart and recited.
Most witnesses get restless under
persistent cross-examination as 10
their previous history. particularly If
there happens to be any thing I'M
| savory about the events referred to.
Sometimes counsel will ask line OF
most offensive questions Of women that
give food for the gossips But, a. a
rule. counsel are rather tender with
women, and fearful OF arousing the
prejudiccs or sympathy Of jury for
the softer sex.
Once In awhile an eminent cross-ex-
amincr meets his match. This hap
pcned to Henry L. Clinton in the Van
dcrbilt will case. Among the wit
nesses who testified TO the queer class
OF people who used to 60 to the Com
modorc's Office was Miss Susan King.
u wealthy and highly-re-pcctabc lady
OF this city, a sharp business woman
OF mature years who has travelled
around the world. and yet happened 70
be unknown TO Mr.. Clinton or any Of
the sharp detectives employed by
William ii. Vanderbilt to trace the
witnesses Of the other side. Mr.. Gin
ton was. therefore. not well equipped
when he tackled Mis-, King. and he
went at her rather roughly, and this
H. what happened:
Q-How did you come TO be at the Ccmmo-
dofes ofiicey Al went 70 buy stock In the
New York Central railroad.
Q.-Oh, nlecd How were you 10 pay for III
A.-With money.
Q-Ah. How much did you propose to buy:
A.-Thirty thousand dollars worth.
Ola. ha. And where did you expect TO
get $4,000 Al had the money ia my pocket.
Csc you 20 around with $4,000 in your
pocket How did you get this money! Al
made II IN rcalostate transactions.
Q.-And how did you maks IL IN rcal-estatc
transactionss Al bou ht real estate when
NOBODY wanted Il. and ! sold II whoa every
body wanted 4.
II is not only in exposing rogucs
and spiking false swcarcrs that cross
examination Is effective. by its in
gcnious use the most honest witnesses
are often harasscd and nonplus~ed,
ard made to appear in ridiculous
light. Few witnesses have the pres
cncc OF mind 10 defend themselves
against the insidious or sudden at
tacks TO which skilIful cross-cxami:.a-
tion may subject anybody.
Jay Gould has stood about a. severe
cross-cxamination as anybody. and il
| - ltltil tnot - 40 " y ~ tth W. 49, tftttt-
lie tcstitics in a clear. distinct and PEI
fectly responsive way. and seems to
make il study TO answer quickly. so
as TO keep the lawyer hard NJ work
and gain time for himself, He gem
orally has his side Of the case well in
hand. and doesn't allow himself TO get
excited. and ncvcr makes the mistake
oftrying TO get in testimony which Is
not responsive.
There il not generally 20 much
bul wing OF witnesses rs there used 10
be- The courts will generally protect
witness against insult or badgcring.
But the field OF cfoss-exlmination Is
50 wide that II affords ample oppor-
tunity for the annoyance Of most wit
ncsscs and the amusement OF the audi
tors. who don't care a rap 50 long rs
somebody gets hard knocks. IN. \.
Sur.
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