Telegram-herald., 1890-02-11

for reforms. zsd Fsalcsl reforms, To.
n LCe @ng.s = system oF gctzl1lng r1rv-
men Eaefs = a. absurd PREF 1d-ee a
scGls quarters azalnst CnangIE lls
lnsGt8LioL. olt thls o-goE - o. ssept
asay. The system az Z r. = wholly lu-
sat staCtory 4 naer e tne Wen uost
con peteDt ~ act as l1Fyaen rarely 10
- All under e men Hlo are -
sense ulcompetent are CoEt.nuallg serF-
% Tbs ougnt al - bs changed and
Z the DuntG SlA 9ut interest llself a
the matter through tnelr representa-
uses reforms would soon fo-loH
William n Arnoux, president ot the
= ~ York state Bar Association sums
up these particulars u wl-cA tae sys-
tsm needs reformation
FIRST -InGhea isqual- hcatlon of jurors
on account OF knowledge 0E informa-
t-ou- Originally jurors were selected
LTom the Vclnage because they had
acquaintance Or knew tie general
reputation u the parties. Their ign0r-
ance became the test. VOW ll tae
Universal SEN nation NJ inf0Tmauon.
lt Is impossible ~ nld JlEoEs Wh0 know
nothing ~ matters ~ u0t0uety
second In requiring uuaulmOu.
verdict under al circumstance. Ia
Scotland. after the jury have been out
for certain time tie court wll accept
the verdict ~ eleven jurors, and, FOR
certain time longer. ~ teu. one OF the
most accOmpl shed membeI, of the
bar has lately proposed L. have the law
80 amended that Wnen the Jury stands
eleven a. one the court may demand
the reasons of tile dissenting Juror and
pass uDoa -aem. There Certs MIS- ought
% be- some method dev sd by which a
IuTy sAould not he hung up by any
obstinate pEellC.ced, unreasonmg or
corrupt Iuror.
ThId In tAe matter of challenges,
which are Lsble % h. greatly abused.
r K. Coudert, president OF the Ncw
York C.y Bar Association. also re-
cogmzes the necessity OF reform. or
the system be says.
''But H. excellence OF the system u
fact depends upop the quality oi the
jurors. n0 We get the best men on our
Juuesf Certainly not. And Vet our
best citizens can hud no more worthy
occupation none more noble, may
ssy-than taking part N the admins
tratiOn OF the ,aw. Tho methods are
PLAIN and homely, the jury box not
attractive and tie surroundings not
very agreeable 20 the senses, but there
is a majesty about the Office OF trying 4
Fellow being Tor his hfe or liberty,
which = too often lost sight OF.
As 10 how TO secure the best mon for
Iuucs, ne SAYS
so long rs intelligent men read the
newspapers, so long as they form ludg-
mcnts on what they read, and so long
as the formation OF an opinion IL a
legal ground of exclusion from the
jury box, - long Will !t be difficult TO
nh that box with our hest men, ut least
in cases of public interest. In civil
eases ten ought 20 decide and their
verdict be recorded n spite of the dis
sentlent two. There should bc more
stringency IN compelling service. This
would OF itself make the duty lighter
by more general distribution. | should
not advocate IN the trial OF felOniCs
less than unanimous verdict. Some
effort should be made 10 shorten trials.
by limiting the bOundlcss area of cross
examinations. The prospect OF sittu z
four or five drcaTy weeks IN a box. al.
then beng excluded from hs home,
does not increase the average citizens
love for the system
Belva Lockwood thus sums up what
she considers needed reforms:
l. Make the teaching of the duties OF
Jurors and the ground principles Of
laws obligatory IN our public schools.
.. Select intelligent men for the Jury,
whose only qualification shall bc an
oath or affirmation that they believe
they can give an impart al verdict.
3. 10 away with the enforced unani-
nifty that 30 often compcls hung jury,
and allow a majority of two-thirds to
count
4. Make 10 an Ohensc 20 approach a
Juror or in any manner call hlm % ac-
count after ms verdict has been rem
dered
s. Abolish capital punishment.
The above quotations show some of
the moro important suggestions and
opinions on a subject Of interest To pco-
plo generally. Some reform s coming.
It's well to have patience and, although
reform u sadly needed. 10 look longand
we'll At any proposed change before IN
dorsng 1t. The jury system is the
growth Of ages and, although not per
feet. II has insured, IN the main. far
trials and substantial justice between
man and man, and between man and
society.