The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-15
BETTER JURY SERVICE.

The problem how 10 secure bet
ter class OF jurymen has troubled this
country fer many years, In the earlier
days ~ American society the communi-
ties were small and men Of ali classes
were drawn upon for service None
shought of refusing. and a Jury In New
England used to be in fact what ii Is
supposed TO be--a gathering OF repre-
sentative men of the community. As the
villages grew into towns and the towns
into cities. men became more engrossad
In their own affairs. and as excuses be
came more common. various expert
fnents were tried with a view To en-
forcing service. The Feadieat means was
a fine. but this method has the disad-
vantage that II II were TOO low the rich
would willingly pay IL and escape. while
II Il were too high IL worked hardship
upon poor men. who might be necdfully
absent.
An article by Theodore Tilton. pub
iished some years ago IN the New York
Independent. has recently heen repro
duced. In 1t Triton complained that it
was provoking when business was al
the thickest. when engagements we're
most pressing. To be snatched from
clamorous duties and KEEP; for days by
service In somebody else's affairs. He
asks:
What will you ao7 Get excused? Not
While such a man sits On the beach as the
Judge who ordered that summons he ex-
euses nobaGy on this plee OF oths~ engage
mems lie believes that a man who has
Important business of Bis own Is Just the
man "a be 4 jUras apon important husi-
ress of others. HE ~ right. The ether
day when enc Of ;he bus Is: msa Of tbs
city, on being summoned With Ike ne
tice. made The common excuse ~ urgent
business. he VAS denied re ,hen offered To
pay he 81 bar the tadEe 81. 4 I can make
4 $loa And g. responded tb4 nlef"s M.
eaB pay ia 'Ru,' intelpese3 iae judge
4 Caa H;akr L AKA / va pas tHat. Te-
saPtea ibe gentleman. q lttle eAetta.
ne;,' added the judge WIN ajgn'3S Z
cRa impF.s1n yen. Il ynU refrse '1'har,'
Raid tie rica man. res.gn.ng himself and
smiling, 4 VIII - NY duty ans srFVe. u
Was no more shan hls duty ga srye, The
suise would asve failed N mis- dayy had ap
not Insisted Upon tse setvee,"
Ii has bean proposed Ia abolish the
jury system. except in criminal cases
and actlans arising III tort. leaving all
matteTs &c account. contract. title and
estates entirely to ,he court. This has
a D.
inent iuris;s. Justice Earvetg is one u
those who believe that. 40 matter how
many safeguards If proper character
the law throws around he accused. 4
only twelve fais-ninded. honest. Impair
.ial men coGld be obtained n8 amouaj
IT sephissry or ~ auSt thrown iasa thAir
eyes could change them fgala arriving
at a really jgss result. IL SAYS further
hat 'thcy SET a. lhv heagE ana Bottom
II things far bsttes than 81 Judges d..
hope the judges EeTerwtt Sc the sa,!ees
II facts. agt viii have a iugy to lean
npon. and when a jury says that il be-
l{eveS In the Innocence OF the guilt of a
! Efsan. never SCI up uiy opinion against
IL" This was said At criminal trial,
bus Il applies equally ,a elen questions
Nevertheless. even SO high AT author
ify as Lesser ls forced 10 The conclusion.
following II MAY bs SAID. he Vlow og
xeisler thar average JGFles are mncn
below thag standard Of intelligence
Which The nature # many % the eases
suhmlsted 81 them seems 10 ve4alre The
r1,lss regarding competency for jay
ssFvles, @ad especially those disaaA.lsy-
Ing pcrs0as who haze formed or sx-
pressed al ap.niaa eagt7 upon iafss-
artloa sihs- than orgglaal evidence.
ais. In these days q ~ap.a alsssaAaa-
tiae az asws a. ah>'sFa anaehranlsr,