New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-26

To the Editor of The Tribune.

Sir II seems 10 me that the editorial contained In
Sundays Tribune. headed Criminal Courts" Is
quite erroneous and may be fraught with danger.
II is claimed that less time should be consumed
In getting the jury. and that Jurors should be al
lowed 10 sit without reference 10 opinions formed
AS soon as It Is supposed that crime has been
committed. the metropolitan press is filled with
accounts Of II. All the available facts printed
Cuts OF all the parties are Inserted Often the reporter
draws copiousy his Imagination for facts 10 make
a readable sensational story. and always numer-
Gus facts too irrelevant to be admitted in
given The history and the family history Of all the
parties are recounted proposed Juror has read
papers. He has impressions az 10 these facts. and
he has quite insignificant reflective powers # he has
not formed conclusions from them to the guilt
innocence Of the accused. at Least formed beliefs
as 20 the conclusions the newspaper has laid before
him.
And The Tribune says the should be trusted
10 his honesty But It IS ques ton OF honesty
The Juror has those impressions. He canno, discard
them nor can he tell 10 what extent they have
Influenced his verdict. They certain to do so to
some extent and to that extent the case is decided
upon matters other than those introduced In evil
dcncc.
II is important that justice be done. To that end II
Is essary TO unprejudcei jurors If It takes
more time than would at first glance seem neces-
sary. the fault is with the press These facts fur
nsh no ground for criticism of the courts.
II
technical objections. These objections, when they
involve substantial right the greatest safeguard
Of liberty If they do not Involve substantial right
1t does no good to raise them they VIII not
secure a reversal. But these matters are oiten 81
far greater Importance than would seem TO the
spectator unfamiliar with the case. 1t Is the exce
ton rather the rule when the courts spend uh-
necessary time upon them. . ,,,o y,
Ii is claimed that lawyers talk TO the galiefies:
The only galleries worth reaching are those
reached through the press. which might 10 me az a.
vantage Of the whole people. devote les space 70
these trials and thus remove the cause or ms eVli
Here. too the source OF the trouble ~ with the
press, not with the courts
1t is claimed that causes are not urea soon
enough but In poisoning cases and others ihVoivlns
scientific examinations and expert evidence inuc ~
time Is necessary in the preparation Tor rlaI II
may be that because OF crowded caendars or OYER
worked Offices these sometimes tO, iohs
delayed bat in cases OF prime importance the dclays
are serious. The time taken IN appears -, ~
necessary to secure the rights Of the accusea
argument OF The Tribune along this line Is aso
dangerous 1t takes but short step more 10 TedcL
the conclusion that lynchings are swfter ana suTer
than trials and therefore preferable
The Tribune is not grave offender In these ma
ters and is taken by the writer because OF the gen
era cleanliness OF IT'S pages 1t usually, also. gives
fair treatment to the courts. but In this instance
its criticism should have been mainly directed al
the press rather than the courts. LAW Elk.
Walton, n. Y. June 10. 1896