The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-06
JUDGE DAN GREENE
 OH JURY SERVICE
Court Speaks of Men Who
 Shlrk Their Duty
WE ARE PRONE TO CENSURE
Judge Greene Delivers caustlc Re- marks on a Subject That Has Been Much Discussed In
 Birmingham of Late.

The grand jury of Jefferson county for the fall term was organized yesterday morning by Judge Dan A. Greene, asso- ciate judge of the criminal court The judge made caustic remarks in regard to the citizens of this county shlrking from jury duty. He said that the citizens who shirk delight in trying cases on street corners and other public places.
 In this connection the court said:
 "The efficiency of the law lies in the certainty of it's punishment, and while you have no part directly in the innic- tion of penalties. yet the vigor and inn- partiality with which the grand jury in- stitutes prosecutions may have salutary effect on the conduct of petit juries.
 "There has been considerable discus- sion as to the laxity of punishment by juries, and some harsh and rather indis- criminate criticism of the machinery of the law. It is not for you or me to fix the blame, if blame there be. The law Is amply sufficient to meet the require ments, but l apprehend the great trouble Is in the failure of the individual to do his duty.
 Prone to Censure.
 We are too prone to censure others for any conceived miscarriage of tus- tice. Too many good citizens stand on tho street corners and ride In the street cars and denounce verdicts they think are wrong, and In their general de- nunciation Include everyone connected with the administration of law, and then when the first call of duty comes to them In the shape of a summons to serve as a petit juror, they send or brinr to the court house a physicians certificate of sickness or inability, and get excused and go back to their store or office or shop and keep up their ordinary work with an easy conscience, congratulating them selves that they have escaped an un- pleasant task They find 1t much easier to try case on the street corner. un- hampered by the solemn obligation of an oath, than sitting in the jury box a, an impartial judge between the majesty of the law and the rights of the indi. vidual
 "Unfortunately verdicts have beer
 
 rendered In our courts which we couit not all approve, but the trouble does not lie all in one direction, ard wholesal, denunciation will not remedy the evil The surest remedy is a realization of tn, personal responsibility of each individual This includes the private citizen as wei as the public official. If the private citi zen will make a sacrifice to tfle public welfare and faithfully meet the demand of jury service. 1t will do more tC strengthen the hands of officials charged with the administration of the law thar all the denunciation that could be writ. ten in a volume"
 The Grand Jury.
 J. Watson Sellers, a farmer residing fir Precinct No. 6, was selected as foreman of the grand Jury. The following com pose the body:
 A. A Randle, Precinct B. capitalist J. M. Crook, Precinct B, real estate agent; A. L. Wheeler, Precinct ', farmer; J. C. Parsons. Precinct g. farmer; s. J. Waldrop, Precinct 35, farmer; Sam At wood, Precinct 19, farmer; W. H. Stanley Precinct 9, merchant and ex-judge w. J. Outlaw, Precinct 29 ex-mayor; W. J. Wheeler. Precinct 3S, merchants John T. Reed, Precinct S4, clerk; George B. Tar rant, Precinct 42, clerk; Henry Beck, Sr. Precinct 37. merchant; James Crow, Pre- cinct A. dairyman R. N. Wheeler, Pre- cinct 21, merchant; John P. Reid Precinct IT. farmer; J. J. Boggan, Precinct 21, city collector; G. w Williams, Precinct IA l farmer.
 J. B. Marshall. Precinct 37. and E. w W ood, Precinct 45, were excused.