The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-10
THURSDAY. JANUARY 10. 1901.
THE JURY SYSTEM.

Foster Y. Brown chairman of the Spc-
cial Committee appointed by the State
Rur Association of Tennessee to draft a
Z jury commission bill, has completed his
labors and the bill as framed viii be sub
mitted TO the Legislature. The bill pro
yides that there shall be board Of jury
commissioners for each county in the
State, to be appointed by the Circuit judge
who holds court in said county, the board
TO consent to three persons who are house.
holders and freeholders and practicng at
torneys at law and who have 40 suit
pending in said court at the time of ap-
pointment, and not more than two OF
whom shall belong to the same political
party.
Section . provides that eacll commission
shall take the following oath:
Il A H.. do solemnly swear Cor affirm
that / will faithfully and impartially dis
charge the duty Of jury commissioner for
the county Of Gilling in nance to the best
of my knowledge and ability: that l Will
not place the name Of any person on said
jury list or in the jury box whom l be-
lieve to be corrupt or unfit, or who has
10 my knowledge solicited, or had others
10 solicit, that his name be placed on the
jury list or in the jury box; that l will
keep secret and inviolate the deliberations
and counsel of the jury commissioners
while in the discharge of their duties
less called upon to give evidence thereof
in some court of Justice or other legal
tribunal of this State SO help me Cod
Section / provides that il shall be the
duty Of the said jury commissioners TO
select from the tax books Of the county
and other sources names of upright and
intelligent men, known for their integrity,
fair character and sound judgment, from
each and every district in the county and
in proportion to the population Of such
district. as near as may be, and possess
ing the qualifications now prescribed by
law, except that service on a regular panel
within two years shall not disqualify a
person, a list Of names numbering not
less than one-iifth the whole number Of
votes cast in the county for presidential
electors at the presidential election next
preceding the making of said list, pro-
vided said list shall not for any one coun-
1y contain more than 4.T6 names, nor less
than $50 names. Said list shall constitute
The jury list for two years from the max
ing thereof, and shall not, during said
years. be added 10 or taken from except
as hereinafter provided The circuit court
clerk, as clerk Of board, shall purchase for
the board suitable and well bound book
in which TO record said list
II is further provided that each OF the
names shall be written on a slip OF paper
and enclosed in a plain envelope and
placed in the Jury box the box 10 be
securely locked and sealed The jury book
is 10 be kept under lock and key and no
one, save the clerk. is permitted to inspect
the same.
Section 3 provides that mot less :han
two days nor more than FIVE days before
each regular or special term of the circuit
court or crimina. court, said board shall
unlock the jury box and break the seal
thereof, and, after having well shaken the
same, cause 10 be drawn therefrom. in the
years Of age. a number o. envelopes equal
10 the number of Jurors. who. under ex-
listing laws, are selected by the county
court, and the judge of the circuit or
criminal court. or the number designated
b. order Of the ceurt 10 constitute the
regular panel OF grand and petit jurors
Tor such term Of court. In the event u
aaine or names of a person or persons,
known By the commissioners TO have died
or removed from The county. or to be
mentally or physically disabled. shall be
drawn, such name or names shall be put
aside and another name or names drawn
in It's or their stead. When IN this way
the required number Of names have been
drawn, the slips or scrolls on which they
have been written shall be placed in a
sealed envelope and safely kept by the
chairman OF the board. and by him de-