Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1902-06-12
TEMPERANCE SERMON

A splendid sermon on temper
ance has just been preached by the
supreme court of the state Of Idaho.
The court ordered a new trial in a
case where members Of the jury in
q lower court had been permitted to
use intoxicating liquor. The de-
cision was eminently proper. No
Juror who drinks intoxicants dur
ing the progress of a trial or while
he is engaged with his fellow jurors
in considering what their verdict
shall be, is competent to reach a
sane decision. Courts have held
that when man takes single
drink of whisky or other intox-
icants, he is to some degree intox-
icated. Murderers have escaped
punishment on this plea.
Men who value their business
reputation do not drink when they
are engaged in business. Whisky
and business do not mix any more
than oil and water, or politics and
religion. In this busy world, where
each individual is looking out first
for his own interests, those who re-
main sober are the ones to whom
success comes. Sooner or later, a
long time in some cases, a short
time in others, the man who drinks
must stumble and fall. 1t has
been SO since the beginning Of the
world, and so it will be to the end.
The most successful lawyers, the
most trusted doctors, the men of
highest standing in the business
and financial worlds, are the men
who let intoxicants alone. The
same rule applies in athletics, and
indeed, in every field Of human en-
deavor. And if there is one place
more than another where the resist
ance to the craving for alcoholic
stimulants should be strongest, it
is on julies.
There men are handling, not
their own interests, but the inter.
ests of others. They should come
to their deliberations with cleal
minds, with steady brains and will
visions unclouded. They are
called to Judge between man ant
man, difficult position at tn.
best, and there should be nothing
done by them which might be cal
culated to bring about any injustice
The supreme court is entitled Il
congratulations for its decision
The judges were strictly within thu
law, and, a fact that does not neces
sarily follow, they were strictly il
the right.
In deciding the case the cour
said in part:
"Litigants are not only entitled
to a fair and impartial trial b,
judges and jurors, who are in |
normal condition and free from in
toxication, but the public is also in
terested in the fair conduct of court
and jurors. The proceedings il
courts Of justice should not only b.
fair, impartial, decent and orderly
but should be so to such an extern
as will throw no disrespect what
ever upon such proceedings. 1t i
not only necessary that verdict
should be fairly and impartial.
given, but they should have the ap
pearance of being fair and impair
tial and free from undue influence
and the conduct of the jury shall b
such rs to entitle it to the respec
Of the public. But can such re
spect be given to the verdict of
jury whose conduct is disorderly
who indulge in Intoxicating liquor
to the extent shown in the recor'
before US, and indulging in dancing
singing and boisterous conduct Oh
the Sabbath day? We now la,
down the rule that q verdict rem
dered under such circumstances a
are shown in this case-when in
toxicating liquors are freely intro
duced in she jury room, in largt
Quantities, and by the jury con