The San Francisco call., 1897-04-17

who are connected with the litigation over
the Fair millions were on hand and
watched the pruning OF the panel with
keen interest. Every one of them realizes
how important is the personnel of the jury
that is TO be selected. There was also q
large crowd OF spectators in attendance.
After the clerks had checked off the
names of the thirty-fiye who had signifed
their willingness to submit the m Ives to
the lawyers test and to do their duty as
good citizens, Judge Slack instructed those
who were seeking 10 escape the panel to
form into line, and in their turn, offer
their excuses. The court deplored the
growing tendency OF citizens to dodge Jury
duty, and announced that he would allow
none to go except those who could con-
vince him that they were not qualified to
act, or that their service would result in
distress or hardship. Then the talesmen
were all sworn TO speak nothing but the
truth. and the hard luck stories began.
Z. w. Taber was the first to tell lis
troubles. Ii would be impossible for him
10 serve, he said. because he had most
important business appointment ITO keep
on the 1st of June. Judge Slack shook
his head and said that was not strong
enough. Besides. the trial would prob.
ably be finished by the 1st of June, so he
told Mr.. Taber he would have TO remain
on the panel.
court as the disappointed talesman
dropped out of the line mumbllng about
his luck.
]. A. Schultz evidently considered that
he had a snap. His hearing was so defec-
tive, he declared, that he would certainly
be found to be rather nuisance during
the trial than useful juror
Judge Slack, lowering his voice to a
whisper, told the gentleman that he would
be ever so pleased if he would serve.
II appreciate the compliment, Judge,
but, you see, / can't hear good enough
said Mr.. Schultz.
A quiet smile illuminated his Honor's
countenance. If the talesman could hear
whisper he guessed he could also hear
| the evidence, so Mr.. Schultz would have
to serve.
E. II. Benker and W. J. Goshen stepped
forth together, and said they had business
of such tremendous importance on their
hands that it would be disastrous for them
| TO be i'm prisoned on jury. But the court
thought that the Fair litigation was of i'm
portance. too, and refused to give them
their walking papers.
Gas consumers achieved triumph when
Judge Slack held Alfred Coddy on the
panel Mr.. Coddy examines meters and
makes out those awful gas bills, but he
stands good chance now of being COM
PEELED TO ease up in his work for time.
your Honor" pleaded Peter Fay when mis-
turn came.
II don't think can accept that as an
excuse" replied Judge Slack
II have heart trouble, too"
"The trial will not be such as might
make you any worse. You look quite
well to-day
II am suffering from general debility
also," was Fay's next.
mo, can't spare you" stuhbornly said
the court.
Mr.. Fay scratched his head in the hope
OF remembering some other wasting ill to
which he was heir Suddenly his face
lighted up and he announced that he was
already serving as juror in Judge Cof-
fey's court.
'Oh. If that's so. you can be excused
said the Judge, SO Mr.. Fay went his way
rejoicing.
James s. Ford said his plumbing busi-
ness would go to rack and ruin if he was
not excused, but the court could not see it
that way.
Daniel Block, cutter in the tailoring
department OF the Emporium, had the
distinction of being the first to melt his
Honor's heart and escape service And
after him lot Of them were successful.
Mr.. Blocks excuse was that he was work
ing for wages and might lose his employ
ment were he to be held on the panel,
Herman Pollock said he was a soap-seller.
and if he neglected his ally route would
lose his trade. He got off. too. So did
George Kan merer, whose partner was laid
up sick, leaving the entire care OF their
business on his hands. A. E. Nve had
just got job and his fear of losing it
prompted the court to let him 90. Horace
Lando had sickness in his family and was
excused, while Sam Sachs escaped py ex-
hib iting a certificate showing that he had
already seen jury service this season.
Samuel Alesky tried the pressure-of-
business dodge, but it would not work.
Jonas Erlanger was moro successful. If
he should be sworn in as a Juror there
would be only an office boy left to look
after hls commission businesc. William
Hand is a clerk for Goldberg, Bowen n
Go. and stood in danger of losing his posl-
tion, so he was excused. William Mund
got off because he would have to close un
his watch-repairing shop while in court.
and Thomas i. Boyle escaped on similar
excuse. S gmund Shoenberg who sells
Innings at 209 Post street, told story like
Mund's, but made the mistake OF admit.
ting that he had two employees at his
place who might possibly keep tho bu.i-
ness going. He was told to stay on the
panel. William Johns plea was that he
had too much property to look after, but