Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-05

Attack TTnon Our Jury system

Attack Upon Our Jury System.
For many years the Federal courts in tho
south were vehicles for wroaking
political spite and personal vengeance
upon the whites who had incurred the en-
nifty Of the Radicals
The Judges were nearly all against us,
the marshals and clerks were unfriendly,
and the framing Of the iury-list was IN
trusted 10 people Of the same ilk. Some
of the most atrocious acts ever perpe-
trated in the name of Justice stained the
records Of these courts in those unhappy
days.
Death removed some Of the worst Of
these judges. and better men were APP
pointed in their places. Through the IN
strumentality Of Mr.. THURMAN juror COM
Inissioners were provided for, aud UcntreS
composed almost equally of voters OF tho
two parties were thereafter drawn, and
The Federal courts began to assume their
proper places and functions. Democrats
felt that they had as much right as Repub-
licans TO ask for favorable yerdIcts packed
Juries became unknown.
Now u is proposed to revolutionize' this
system and do what is equivalent to re-
viving the old one. The new plan as APP
plicable 10 this State in trials concerning
the violation Of election laws will be that
Judge BOND will designate three persons IN
the Eastern district and three IN the West
ern TO make up the jury list.
This is a part Of the present force bill.
il is an amendment engrafted upon it on
the day it passed the House, and Of all its
numerous odious features it is the worst.
1t is bad enough for REED, HARRISON, and
McKISLrY 10 exercise Czar-like supervI-
sion over the State officers at registrations
and elections for congressman, and to
have Federal returning board Of their
own for each congressional district. but
% have the Federal courts organized to
aid in this partisan purpose Is frightful
blow at our institutions.
This step once taken and acquiesced in,
there will be no limitation upon the des-
potism the Washington Administration can
exercise over us.
The RowEII-LoDGY hill throughout seeks
70 convert the Federal courts into party
machinery Of the very worst-the most
dangerous description. So far Hs Virginia
is concerned, Judge BOND will have more
power in Federal elections than $4,000
voters; it will rest with him to decide
whether he win exercise 1t.
Democratic and liberal Republican SEN
htors ought to fight and kill this bill, not
only because It seeks to stir up strife and
compel bloodshed in the South, but be-
cause it forces the United States circuit
judges 10 enter into the field Of politics
md once there nearly all OF them viii be-
come Republicans partisans, who will look
20 Washington for smiles and approval,
and care little about public feeling and
opinion in the South.
This judge-jury business ought to stran-
Gle the bill.
Let the intelligent men Of the North
know that business will suffer if it be-
comes law.
Above all let each Democratic senator
resolve 10 die in his seat sooner than con-
sent, directly or indirectly, to this rude
aud unjust mode of governing the South
becoming a law.
Let US appeal to our friends everywhere
for help--but, above all. let US help our
telves.
Ii is PLEASANT to think that in this case
there are enough liberal-minded Republi-
can senators who Will act with the Demo
Gratis TO secure the defeat of the bill. The
latest news fnom Washington points this
Wav