The Hattiesburg news., 1910-07-16
QUESTIONS IN COURT
A Series That Moved an 0bserv-
er to Turn Critic.
SOME GEMS HE PRESERVED.

The Lawyers Didn't Seem to See the
Ridiculous Phase of the Inquiry, but
1t loomed Large to the Man With an
idea That the Law is Solemn.
A man who spent several days in
courtroom listening to the examination
Of veniremen was struck with the re-
Election that some shining legal minds
would not be unduly dimmed by the
Infusion of few of the principles of
logic. The time taken up by attorneys
In drawing the conclusion that a Juror
who lives at given address makes
his home there and then referring the
conclusion to the Juror for con6rma-
tion has not been computed. but any
one mathematically inclined may fig
ure 1t out by multiplying the following
examples by any handy large round
number:
"What is your occupationY'
81 am a switchman.''
"On a railroad%
The obvious answer which the ju-
ror's awe of his surroundings prevents
him from making would be, of course.
mo, in an ice cream parlor"
Judge" said juror, Il would like
to be excused from service. When
summoned l was making arrange
ments for my brother-in-law's fu-
neral"
SIS your brother-in-law deadT in
quired the court.
1t developed that he was.
"Now. Mr.. Juror" came another
question. what is your ageT
"Forty-four."
"Forty-four years oldY'
That is exactly what the juror
meant The lawyer guessed right the
very first time
Here Is another fash that came to
one of the attorneys. Where do you
liver he asked.
"At 4416 Blank street"
You reside there. do your
Once in awhile there is a funny an
swer which isn't to be wondered at
considering the power of suggestion.
Are you marriedT
"Yes."
"Any family"
1.-Two"
But the balance Is well on the law
yers' side. Witness this: The ques-
toner had asked if a Juror was relat-
ed in any way to any of the princi-
pals or witnesses in the case
'I am a brother-in-law of Mr. Blans.
one of the witnesses" was the reply.
"You married his sister. them"
He had.
LET me ask you now. Mr. Juror.
have you formed any opinion about
the guilt or innocence of this defend
ant?'
81 have"
ais it fixed opinion or is it one that
could be changed by evidence?"
at could be changed If the evidence
were strong enough"
'Then you would not call it a def
mite opinion?"
mo"
at is a vague opinion. then?"
Eyes"
"Now, Mr.. Juror. follow me closely,
If you please. You say your opinion
is q vague one and not definitely fixed.
Now. then, if that is the case and you
went into that jury box and listened
to the evidence adduced from that wit
ness stand and heard the law expound-
ed by the judge from that bench,
would it not be possible for you to lay
aside that opinion and concur in YER
dict warranted by the evidence and
the instructions Of the court"
"Yes."
The attorney. having received the
same answer to his long question as
to his short one, is perfectly satisfied
and throws a triumphant look at his
colleague, which says II knew could
get it out of him if I kept at him long
enough"
Here is another astonishing deduc-
ton: A juror took the stand dressed
In a blue uniform with brass buttons.
Around his belt was strapped money
changer The examining attorney look
ed at him long and searchingly and
then said in a tone which admitted OF
no trifling:
"You are a street car conductor"
1t was the same attorney who forced
this confession from another juror:
"What is your occupation"
I'm bookkeeper for Blank & Co."
you kcsp books in the Officer
Unmarked, the bookkeeper broke
down and made clean breast Of it.
Nov. NJ. Juror, be good enough to
state how o1d YOU are"