Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-01-15
The Jury System.

discharging a jury at SkowheGdn
Friday. after the rendering verdict
which the court evidently considered
contrary to the law and the evil
dence. has since been the occasion OF
considerable discussion, both in and
out of legal circles. The opinion has
been expressed. in fact. the Journal is
in receipt Of two communications, one
of them unsigned. taking the view that
our jury system has outgroWn its use
fulness, and that more substantial
justice would be secured in our courts,
if its administration rested wholly
with the able and intelligent judges,
men trained in the law, and accus-
toned to the sitting and weighing of
testimony. We are inclined to think
that it is Il rather pessimistic view of
the situation to assert because some
Jury falls short of our ideas of justice,
that the whole system is Il failure. So
far as the Skowhegan jury is con-
cerned. the general public not having
had an opportunity to read the teSti-
mony, cannot form an intelligent indie
pendent opinion. 1t can only form con-
illusions based upon the obvious effect
of the verdict upon the court. which,
in view of the known probity and fair
ness Of the presiding justice. will have
a tendency to give them almost the
force of convictions.
We simply refer to this case, not be
cause Of any Independent knowledge
relating to it. upon which to base a
definite opinion. but simply because it
has served in general way, to call
the attention Of the public to a subject
FAR broader than the confines Of Skow-
hogan or Somerset county-a subject
that has need Of the most careful con-
sideration in every county of Maine
viz. Do we use the care we should in
making up our jury lists? Do any Of
our readers recall having seen upon
buI JuIitS III lllIltS past men W NUN H.
one in their own localities would ever
have dreamed of selecting as referees
in a case involving a $500 note? If so.
how did they get there? What Off
Gals charged with the important duty
Of preparing jury lists. were guilty Of
jeopardiZing the public interests by
such gross and inexcusable careless
ness? Isn't it time to call Il halt on
slip-shod methods, and demand a de-
ton" When we have said this we do
not intend to make any general in
dictment Of Maine juries which have,
in the main. been composed of strong,
intelligent. fair-minded men, ana will
compare most favorably with those Of
any state iii the Union. We speak Of
the occasional crank and longhair
who's, Iack of fitness for such duty il
notorious i'll his own community,
among his own neighbors. and who.
nevertheless turns up occasionally in
the jury box We need not mention i'm
stances. They will occur To every in
telligent observer Of the adminStra-
ton Of public justice. Jury service Is
never pleasant duty to the busy man
Of affairs. He is always prone to dis
regard his obligations as a citizen by
escaping it when he can. Not infre-
quently when he has charge of making
himself but his friends as Well with
the result that it quite often happens
that a considerable group of the
strongest men in community-men
specially well qualified for jury service.
and are never called upOn to perform
this important public duty. Such Il
condition of affairs is an injustice To-
the general public-and officials in any
way responsible for it, either through
highest degree reprehenSible. 1t is Il
good plan in the performance of this
grave duty to follow the golden rule.
The official who takes any part in the
preparation of a jury list should first
ask himself who are the cleaneSt.
ablest, fairest men in my town
When he has determined that question
cOnscientOusly, those are the names he
should place in the box. The very best
men in the community are the ones
who should sit in judgment upon the
evidence submitted in our courts, if
justice is to be fairly administered. ana
the rights of individuals and the public
maintained
The Skowhegan case whatever its
merits. may have been-whether with
the jury or the court-will therefore.
serve useful purpose if, because of
its unusual character. it serves. in a
measure to direct attention to sub
iect which is of such Importance to the
people of our State. and which calls for
such special attention and considera-
tton
1t seems to have escaped the atten-