The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1895-10-15
AMUSING TALESMEN
THEY SOMETIMES SAY THINGS WHICH
ARE VERY FUNNY.


Lack Of Confidence In the TrustworthIness
ofNewspapers-The Barber Long Looked
FOr-Taiesmen who Didn't Know Public
Men and Places.
In the New York courts ignorance and
stupidity occasionally appear 20 be the
characteristics chiefly sought after among
Jurors. The examination of talesmen,
especially In murder cases, IL usually cx-
ceedingly tedious, but at times flashes Of
wit or instances Of brilliant dullness illu-
mine the proceedings. Even men who in
the ordinary affairs OF life show great in
telligence sometimes become confused
when being examined by two shrewd law
yers and judge in n crowded courtroom.
II their answers were afterward read TO
them by the stenographer, they would &C
cuse him Of the grossest incompetence.
Certain stupid answers are given again
and again. At regular intervals crops up
the man who says that he would take the
evidence from the law, or the law from
the evidence, or the evidence from the
court, or the evidence from the prisoners
counsel. Here il "A variation of that form
Of genial transformation
HOW Woull 1oh tht tdst u
selected" asked lawyer in general SEES
sions.
al would take the law from the evil
dence, and II there was any reasonable
doubt / would render verdict" This
seemed clear and Straightforward enough,
but the man WAS excused.
"Would you take the law from the
court, or would you settle It for your
self" Recorder Smyth asked talesman.
sob, would hear what the court had
to say, and then would make up my
mind" came the answer coolly and al
most patronizingly.
The spectators thought that the rash
man would be committed TO the Tombs
for contempt OF court, but the recorder,
the lines of his face growing tense, calmly
asked. after "A pause;
"What did you say your business wasi''
"Cloakmaking."
swell, you would better go and attend
| to 1t for the rest Of the TERM That was
all.
Some Jurors have a delightful lack OF
| confidence in the trustworthiness OF news
paper reports. In a murder trial every
man examined Is asked IL he has read
about the case. Sometimes he answers in
| this strain: "Yes, but never believe any.
thing ! read In the newspapers. place
| no credence in newspaper reports" Thu
Is generally said breezily, but the reply il
not regarded by the court az sign Of
overintelligence nor IL that not uncom-
mon one, "What read makes no impress
| sion on me-"
There Is n mistaken idea that a man
who has read anything about crime can
not serve GU the jury which tries the nc
cused man. Tho law distinctly says that
even II ho has made up his mind on the
question of guilt he may still make "a sat
isfactory Juror under certain conditions.
The man need not even say ho know,
that he would not be influenced by tn,
opinion, but merely that he believes IA,
would not be. There are dozens Of case
In which tho courts have held juror /,
be competent even II he had read abou
the crime and had formed an opinion
which 1t would take evidence to remove
provided that he agreed to decide only OF
the evidence and regardless Of that forme
impression.
At the same time, this principle of Law
is to large extent nullified. because coun
sci generally peremptorily challenges sucl
man. The Judge, however, recognize
that the best Juror Of all IL often the MAJ
who frankly acknowledges that he ha
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