Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-02
PROFESSIONAL JURORS.

In a number of States of this Union
there are at this time outcries against
professional Jurors. IL is said that the
jury system has been very much weaken
ed by the failure of the officers CT
the law TO go to the body of the people
for their veniremen. 1t is further alleged
that the professionals learn so much law
BY haunting court-houses, that by dis
playing their learning they often exercise
undue influence" over their fellows.
Ne information, however. is given as
TO whether these gentlemen are in the
habit Of agreeing TO wise or unwse YER
diets. The winners of the cases decided
doubtless characterize them as 'able and
intelligent gentlemen" while losers would,
IL they dared, speak of them as
fools or knaves.
But the fact is, there is growing sem
timent against professionals, and the
judges doubtless will be moved 10 inaugI-
rate reforms in the matter. The public,
however. is hard to satisfy, and the very
men who make a practice of lodging
jury service are chief among those who
cry out about the system now in vogue
in some of the courts in some of the
States.
The adherence of the average man Of
business to serving upon juries is great.
When he has case of his own in court
he wishes to see twelve first-class jury
men In the box; but, when himself asked
TO perform a like service. he begs to be
excused. Many become honorary mem
bers Of military companies so that they
will not have 10 serve. Others plead SICK
ness. deafness, etc. The result, in the
cities at least is that the number of eligi-
BILE men is considerably reduced. Yet
a resident of a certain city. as large as
Richmond was recently heard 10 declare
that ne was never summoned on jury
IN all his life, though he has no claim
20 exemption. lie is a man well known
and highly esteemed in his own neighbor-
hood: Is about 40 years Of age, and holds
a good business position. Doubtless there
are Others" but it is rare that they
complain OF being overlooked by those
who make out the jury lists.
1t would seem that the true method of
reforming the abuse in question would
be for all public-spirited citizens to make
up their minds not to be asked to be
excused except in cases of actual illness
The courts, too, might help on the good
cause by having cases tried promptly.
"pelay," waste of time" is the burden
OF the complaint of the public. II is that
sort OF thing that makes businessmen
nF
We have nothing unkind TO say about
the professionals" Most of them are
honest and intelligent many of them are
OF venerable appearance. Many OF them
are men Of ample leisure. who prefer to
earn the jurors fee rather than loiter
almlessly about the streets. And they
are generally on hand when needed.
Upon the whole. we dare say their YER
diets are fair and good: but they are apt
TO discharge their duties perfunctorliy,
for Intimate acquaintance with the ma
chinery OF law must lesson their awe
Of 1t. We do not believe, however. that
their yerdicts give as much satisfaction
10 me public as do those that come from
turies composed OF men who. for this oc-
castor. may be classed as unprofessionals.
In all OF our great cities. alas. there
are hundreds Of well-to-do citizens who
are void OF civic pride. They take no in
tsrest In politics. They escape jury ser
vice whenever possible. Yet they are
constantly complaining that the people
4 who do the work they ought TO do. do 4
I'll. Their "cheek" is amazing. Instead
Of oeirs exemplars Of patriotic citizen
ship they do naught but snarl and scowl |
The business 81 the professional juryman |
ought 70 Re closed, but this can never be |