The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-06-04
COURT OBSERVER
IS MACE CRITIC
Ridiculous Questions Asked by
attorneys Cause Him
to Criticise.
SOME GEMS PRESENTED
LAWYERS TREATED THE INQUIRY
LIGHTLY, BUT THE OBSERVER
TOOK THE STAND THAT THE
LAW 10 SOLEMN.

A man who spent several days In
courtroom listening to the examination
OF veniremen was struck with the re-
lection that some shining legal minds
would not he unduly dimmed by the
infusion Of few of the principles of
logic. The time taken UP by attorneys
In drawing the conclusion that Juror
who lives ut a given address makes
his home there and then referring the
conclusion to the Juror for coufirma-
ton 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 II your occupationT
Il am switchman."
ION railroady'
The obvious answer which the ju.
rors awe Of his surroundings prevents
him from making would be. Of course.
''No. In an ice cream parlor."
Judge" said juror. II would like
% be excused from service. When
summoned was making arrange
ments for my brother-in.law's fu-
neral"
rs your brother-in.law deadr' in.
quired the court.
It developed that he was.
"Now. Mr.. Juror" came another
question, what Is your ager'
"Forty-four."
"Forty-four years oldy"
That Il exactly what the juror
meant. The lawyer guessed right the
very nrst time.
Here 10 another dash 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 married.
Eyes"
ANY family7''
"Two"
But the balance Ia well on the law
yers' side. Witness this: The ques-
TONER had asked II juror was relat-
ed In any way to any Of the princi.
pals or witnesses in the case.
II am a brother-in-law Of Mr. Blank.
one Of the witnesses" was the reply.
"You married bis sister. then?"
He had.
Let me ask you now. Mr.. Juror.
have you formed any opinion about
the guilt or innocence Of this defend
anty"
II have"
IT'S Il q fixed opinion or II It one that
could be changed by evidence?"
ut could be changed II the evidence
were strong enough"
''Then you would not call 1t q den-
mite opinion?"
s'No.'
''It Is vague opinion. then!'
Eyes"
''Now, Mr.. Juror. follow me closely.
II you please. You say your opinion
IL q vague one aud not definitely fixed.
Now. then. II 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
the instructions Of the court7"
"Yes."
The attorney. having received the
same answer to his long question az
to his short one. 10 perfectly satisfied
and throws . triumphant look at his
colleague. which says. II knew could
get It out Of him II kept At him long
enough"
Here u another astonishing deduc-
ton: A Juror took the stand dressed
IN q blue uniform with brass buttons.
Around his belt was strapped q money
changer. The examining attorney look
ed ut him long and searchingly and
then said in tone which admitted Of
no trining:
"You are q street car conductor?
II was the same attorney who forced
this confession from another juror:
what II your occupation"
I'm bookkeeper for Blank & Co."
"You keep books In the ofncer'
Unmasked. the bookkeeper broke
down and made clean breast Of 1t.
.'Now. Mr.. Juror. be good enough to
state how old you are"
"Fifty.six ysars."
'How long have you resided In this
stAtsy'
Fifteen years"
''Then you were not born herer'
The trapped man admitted the truth.
Here b another:
"wers you born In Missouri
mo. sir"
rob. I zee. Then you moved here
from some other state" And then
IN . ''come-come-don't-d elay -the-c court
tone Of voice, where did you come
1fomr'
~Chicago."
Chicago. M.r'-Kansas City Times.
Unhappy Mani
~Yes. my old friend. have been the
victim Of misfortune In all my lore AZ
fairs Ny nrst swestheart died. the
second Tilted me. and the third became
my wife.'
Tears are often the telescope through
Whleh men pee far lnto honvan.-