The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-07-14
Substitute Panel OF Jurors,

10 the Editor of The Post
Coleman, Texas, July lin the brief re
port Of the proceedings OF the state Bar
association that has come under my OBJ
scryation note is made Of the fact that
Hon. j. C. Harris OF Houston read a paper
on Trial by Jury in Civil cases. in
which reference is made to the habit. from
one cause or another Of eXcusng a good
portion OF the substantial citizens from
Jury service on the ground that their busi-
nese demands attention, and having them
replaced by men not chosen by jury com
missioucrs But 1t seems TO me that the
paper referred to does not propose an ade
quate remedy. Allow me space to make
a suggestion along that line
Instead Of comforting upon one man the
authority, as the law now does, to compel
ntigants to submit the determination ot
their rights to the judgment Of men Of his
choice, | would in this manner take from
MIN that power. Make it obligatory upon
the jury commissioners, after having Sc
leCted the regular panel for each week,
TO choose the same number OF persons WITH
like qualifications to be substituted Tor
those Of the regular panel who fail to al
tend court or are excused. And when
two or more OF the regular panel are an
sent or excused require the names or al
the Substitutes" 70 be place In box ana
a sufficient number drawn tneretlom 70
complete the regular panel ana theu nave
them Immediately summoned Tor service. II
may be said that this plan would occasion
delay Better tnat than the present pracllcS
Hut to meet that objection and save time,
I'm so far as 1t Is possible, In securing the
plompt attendance Of the requisite number
Of "substitutes' the law might piuNlue
that the substitute list should he made
IN as near as practicable nj qualified per
sons living within easy reach OF the court
/ II after the regular panel has been hileu
! as above outlined II becomes necessary by
| reason of challenges or from other cauS.
/ 10 have additional Jurors in a particular
ease il should be made the duty OF tn,
court Ia direct the proper officer 20 som
mons talesmen from among the remaining
! substitutes, provided that II IN
requisite number can not be thus obtained
/ so mnny other persons as may he necessary
/ shall be selected In the manner now AN
thorIzed by law. II It is thought tina
the latter part OF this suggestion In M
! event il became n law, would too greatly
hinder the courts In the rapid dlspntch o
| business it might be rejected without I'M
! nnirine 10 any considerable extent IN
value of the proposed change in the law.
fudge Terrell OF Austin, who VIII ne
| member Of the next legislature, Is IN
father OF our present system of selectin
Jurors and he deserves credit for the fe
form accomplished when II became Jaw
| IL is a vast improvement on the procedur
mat prevailed prior to its adoption, pu
thnt II needs perfecting IS attesied by IN
experience Of every lawyer Among ONE
inrportaut matters that VIII call for IN
exercise OF the distinguished gentleman
acknowledged talents IL Is hoped that UNI
subject viii claim his thoughtful consl'
erotlon TO the and that he Will labor
nave the law so amended as to remov
from It all defects