The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-12-20
Give Us coed Juries.

EDITOR YAKIMA HERALD Every gooC
citizen was placed under obligations tc
The YAKIMA HERALD by the publication
in its issue of the 18th inst, of the abb,
article under the above heading. No
subject more imperatively demands most
careful consideration and. efforts at refor-
nation. Our entire system of jnrisprud-
ence needs revision. Compromise yer.
diets are rendered almost every term
Jury failing to agree on amount of dam
ages to be awarded; tired out, disguised
with wrangling and contention each one
writes down amount he thinks the YER
diet should be-from nothing to thons
ands of dollars. The foreman of the Jury
adds the amounts, divides the total by
twelve, and that is the verdict presented
to the court.
A juror has Il real or imaginary cause
of offence against one OF the attorneys in
the suit, and to spite him, utterly ignor-
ing all evidence will insist on u verdict
for the other side. The obstinate Juror
for the sake of the momentarv import
ance he attains, will stand ont against
the other eleven, no matter how clear the
cass. how positive the evidence, anC
worry the others into acquiescence, OF
hang the jury, defeating justice and often
involving the county in heavy expense,
needlessly increasing taxation.
Professional jurors are most pestlen
tial evil; men who loaf around the court
room awaiting exhaustion OF the regular
panel and order of special venire. There
are lawyers who never lose case, il
they can exhaust the panel and have one
or two jurors from the professional jury
men. Even when just verdict is rem
dered against the wealthy the attorney
bobs up serenely and appeals, and or
some frivolous technicality obtains uew
trial. II the other side is TOO poor to fol
low the case to the higher courts, despite
the honest verdict in their favor, they are
mulcted in costs and lose their case,
But not alone jury box and bar. The
bench is equally in need of reformation
From justice OF the peace 10 the chief jus
tice of the United States, ability and in
tegrity have ceased to be the qualifica-
tons. Egotistical stupidity--b0mb astiC
ignorance are all too oft chosen Justice o
the peace.
The really able lawyer has no incentive
to accept position on the bench. Hs
cannot realize tithing of the amount he
would gain by practice at the bar, and i,
has long since ceased 10 be an honor
hence third or fifth rate lawyers-politi-
cal pettvioggers, experts at all the dirty
tricks and chicanery Of politics secure
the nomination for Judge, and by the aid
and influence OF wealthy corporations
are selected, and become servile, sordid
tools, the hrelings OF the corporation to
whose help they look for future political
preierment.
The very judges ot the supreme court Of
the United States are not appointed be
cause OF their ability and acknow lodged
integrity, but as a reward for dirty work
done, and to be done, in behalf of the
president who appoints and his faction oI
the party.
How can these evils be remedisd7 We
have naval academy at Annapolis and
a military academy at West Point, to ed.
cuate suitable yonng men to form the
nucleus Of the officers of our navy and
army. This is right and should be con-
tinued. We may not have another wal
in 100 years, we are sure OF 100 lawsuits
within a month.
Why not in each division OF our state
establish judiciary academy for the
purpose OF education carefully selected
young men Who should pass rigid ex.
animation as to their mental and physi-
cal ability, as jurists. To be for life the
wards OF the government, declared from
ever practicing law in the United States
except in their own defense.
When the court calls for jury let the
sheriff summons sufficient number Of
graduated pupils OF the academy, six tc
compose jury. Every honest litigant,
every honest lawyer would sooner have
jury Of six such trained jurists. There
would be more certain justice and fewer
appeals.
Pass a Law that candidates for justices
OF the peace must be selected from grad.
yates Of the judiciary academy who had
served not less than one year as Jurors.
Candidates for superior court from those
who had served not less than one year as
Justice of the peace. Candidates for state
supreme court from those who had served
not less than two years as judges of super.
Tor court. Members OF supreme court of
the United States to he elected from their
own number by judges OF the state SUI
preme courts. Each graduate would be
provided for by the state Tor life-the goal
OF their ambition the office OF the chief
justice of the supreme court OF the United
States.
This system would save thousands OF
dollars each year over present methods of
summoning and paying Jurors: cleanse
and purify our judiciary, promote justice,
greater respect and ready obedience to
law. CD. RpYN0Lps.