Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17

6ONDA I Afh1u IL,
commencing with the usual formula and
| calling upon them to give q verdict in &C
cordance with the law and the evidence
The II men sit down, and then the treman,
| swelling with Importance, stands up by
himself and takes an obligation Of ts same
| kind, save that he 'taffirms" instYN Of
"swears" He has conscientious scruplea
about taking an oath, as he will tell you, In
q very impressive way if you ask him and
can only "afirm.'
A Chance to Become Conspicuous.,
It makes no difference to the Court It Ii
used to this sort of thing in jurors who dis
tinguish so much difference between "twee-
dledum and tweedledee," and as the law
does not insist upon American citizens tax
ing oaths If they object to it there is moth
ing himself conspicuous by affirming"
with due dignity and self-satisfaction. The
superior glance around the court room OF
the gentleman who afirms as he takes his
seat is one of the most deliciously comical
things to be seen in building that abounds
in funny scenes and people.
The case goes on and in course OF time the
jury settles down. The military foreman is
broad awake throughout the proceedings
He eyes each witness keenly, he leans for
ward to hear every word that is spoken, he
sometimes complains that q witness does
not speak loud enough and requests that
certain things shall be repeated because he
did not quite catch what was said. and in
every way possible he indicates that he 10
paying the most eager attention to the busi-
ness in hand. He takes out a small note
book and makes small entries of certain
points in the evidence, and when documents
are handed to the jury, that they may see
what contracts were made by the parties to
the suit, he studies them so closely with the
aid OF an aristocratlc-looking double eye
glass that one is. sure he has obtained
mental photograph. of the paper and could
repeat it word tor word week atterward, If
necessary.
They Get Saturated With Facts.
As for the rest of the jury, their average
expression is one of intense boredom. They
listen perfunctorily to the witnesses, and
evidently wish the matter would come to an
end. When counsel make their arguments
there is revival of interest, especially If
the attorneys are good speakers and indulge
in little spread-eagleism to relieve the
dryness Of the subject in hand, and the jury
straightens itself and appears to be trying
to collect its thoughts. After the argu-
ments of counsel comes the Judges charge,
and now the II men are concentrating all
their attention upon the words ofthe. Court.
They have listened to number of witnesses
and have heard what counsel on both sides
have had to say, SO that they are, as it were,
permeated with the case, whether they
would or no. They really have a very fair
understanding of its points, and by the time
the Judge has gone over the evidence in the
calm, succinct manner characteristic of the
bench, it would be very wooden-headed
juryman that did not know enough about the
case to arrive at some opinion.
Fortunately for the public, the system of
the courts under American law is 50 clear
and comprehensive that the jury has but
little to do save to exercise the very COM
monest of common sense in giving a ver-
dict. Let the Juror be ever so careless
while in the box, and he cannot help know
ing all about the case.
verdicts Should Be Easily Reached.
It is drummed into him 30 persistently,
and is twisted and turned about so as to
present every side SO often, that it is like
the simplest lesson by the time the charge
is delivered, and the jury are sent to make
up their minds. This is proved by the
tions, as rule. Fifteen minutes to half an
hour is about the average time, although
in criminal cases, especially murders, where
q human life is at stake, days may be con-
sumed, as everyone knows But this is
very often as much on account Of scruples
about hanging a man as anything else.
But to return to our jury in the common
pleas. The charge having been given, the
tipstaff makes sign to the jury and they
file out of the box IN a solemn row and
walk into another room, which is closed,
and the Court calls another case. The jury
of the new case has been drawn, and the
proceedings are going on steadily as in the
former case, when the tipstaff tells the
Court that the other jury is ready with its
verdict
Final Touches to tho Job.
The Judge tells him to bring them in.
The jury files into court again, the military
foreman first, and take seats on the or
posite side from the jury box. The names
of the jury are called again, and then the
Court asks the foreman If they have agreed
upon their verdict. Upon the foreman's
for the verdict and he hands it to the tip
stai, who gives it to the clerk, who in turn
hands it to the Judge. He reads it and
then gives it to the clerk. who reads it
aloud. 1t is that the plaintiff is entitled to
81, 500 and that the defendant is to pay the
costs.
The military foreman looks on and listens
to the reading of the verdict with the con-
scious pride of authorship, and then the
Judge says: Gentlemen, you are dis
charged. Thank you" Adding: "You
are excused until 10 o'clock tomorrow"
As it is now only 2 o'clock in the after
noon, the jurymen have had q comfortably
short day Of # for their 50, and they walk
out with an air of much relief and satisfac-
tion. G. c. j.