The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-11-28
WEDNESDAY,. NOVEMBER IS. 1900.
THE JURY SYSTEM.

"A Dill Will De 1nIOuuSOu the #1tuISS-
see Legislature to change the present law
for The selection of jurors. It directs the
two circuit and criminal judges to appoint
three jury commissioners, not more than
two of whom shall belong to the same
political party. The commissioners are
all their duties. anu among other things
that they will not place the name OF any
person on the jury list known to be unfit.
OF who has solicited, or had others to So
licit, that his name be placed thereon.
These commissioners are to select from the
taxpayers of the county and from other
sources the names Of upright and intelligent
men, known for their integrity, fair char
acter and sound judgment, OF. each dis
trict in the county, in proportion to the
population OF such district, as nearly as
may be, selecting not less than one-fifth
the number of votes cast in the county for
Presidential electors, which list shall con-
stitute the jury list for two years from
the making thereof. Each name is to be
written on a slip Of paper and place in a
box, locked and sealed and not to be
opened, except il the presence of the
commissioners.
Not less than ten nor more than fifteen
days before each regular or special term
of the Circuit or Criminal Courts, the
box is to be opened by the commissioners,
and, after having been well shaken, the
commissioners will cause to be drawn
@l,aya fra,, in he of 40
by child under ten years of age, num-
Der of names equal to the number Of jul
rors who, under existing laws, are Sc
lscted by the County Court to constitute
the regular panel of grand and petit ju-
rors for the ensuing term. a written re-
port Of the selection thus made is to be
made by the commissioners to the fresid-
ing judge. From this list the grand and
petit jurors shall be made up as now pro-
video by law In the case a jury cannot
be made up from the names thus selected,
the clerk OF the court Is to produce in open
court the jury box, out of which is to be
taken by a child number to constitute
the jury. II additional jurors are to be
selected their names are to be selected
from the boz IL the same way. thereby
abolishing the old principle of summoning
bsstanders.
We take this outline of the bill from a
communication in The Memphis CONNER
cial-ApI,ea;, and commend it to our read
ers The jury system of this country is
excellent, provided only proper care be ex-
ercIsed In the selection of jurors. There
is no better way under the sun of ascer-
tanning the facts In any case at law than
by having the evidence brought cut before
q Jury OF twelve honest and inteIiigent
men. As rule, wherever justice has mis-
carried = has usually been Cue TO the
fact that the members Of the 5ury. or
some Of them, were either incompetent,
cowardiy. dishonest or prejudiced. 1t is
the duty OF every good citizen to do jury
service, and it is the duty Of the Govern
meat ID have the very best men in the
community on juries selected to try I'M
portant cases. II only that course is
pursued our jury system viii be as nearly
perfect as human institutions can be. ana
there VIII be little cause for complaint on
The score of ..miscarria &c of Justice