Evening journal., 1910-06-09
QUESTIONS IN COURT .
A Series That Moved an 0bserv-
er to Turn Critic.
SOME GEMS HE PRESERVED.

SOME GEMS He PRESERVED.
The Lawyers Didn't Seem to SEQ tho
Ridiculous Phase Of tho Inquiry, but
Il Loomed Large to the Man With a.
Idea That the Law Is Solemn.
A man who spent several days in a
courtroom listening to the examination
OF veniremen was struck with the re-
hection that some shining legal minds
would not be unduly dimmed by the
infusion Of a few of the principles of
logic. The time taken up by attorneys
in drawing the conclusion that a juror
who lives at a given address makes
his home there and then referring the
conclusion to the juror for confrma-
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 is your occupationP p
81 am a switchman."
"OD a railroadT"
The obvious answer which the 1u-
rors awe of his surroundings prevents
him from making would be, of course,
''No, in an ice cream parlor."
Judge" said a juror, Il would like
to be excused from service. When
summoned I was making arrange
ments for my brother-in-law's fu-
neral"
'Is your brother-in-law deadl" in.
quired the court.
1t developed that he was.
"Now. Mr.. Juror" came another
question. what is your age?"
Forty -four"
''Forty-four years oldT'
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
nveY' 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?
'sYes."
ANY family?"
Two"
But the balance is we'll 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.
II am a brother-in-law Of Mr.. Blank
one of the witnesses" was the reply.
"You married his sister. then?"
He had.
LET me ask you now. Mr. Juror
have you formed any opinion abou
the guilt or innocence Of this defend
ant?"
| Il have"
Us it a fixed opinion or is It one tha
could be changed by evidence?"
1T could be changed II the evidenc
d were strong enough"
"Then you would not call It a def
+ mite opinionT
''No."
. ut is a vague opinion. them"
b 'Yes."
It "Now, Mr.. Juror. follow me closely
E II you please. You say your opinio
= is a vague one and not definitely fixed
= Now. then. If that is the case and 20
s went into that jury box and listene
$ to the evidence adduced from that wi
ness stand and heard the law expounC
ed by the judge from that bencl
would it not be possible for you to la
aside that opinion and concur in a vel
E dict warranted by the evidence an
= the instructions Of the courts"
YES"
# The attorney. having received th
n same answer to his long question a
. to his short one. is perfectly satisfie
- and throws a triumphant look at h
Is colleague, which says. Il knew coul
get It out Of him If kept at him Ion
t. enough"
A. Here is another astonishing dedu
j. ton. A juror took the stand dresse
70 in a blue uniform with brass button
30 Around his belt was strapped a none
changer The examining attorney lool
ed at him long and searchingly an
then said in A tone which admitted {
no trihing:
b ''You are a street car CONDUCTOR
It was the same attorney who force
this confession from another juror:
~ What is your occupatiOnl"
/, I'm a bookkeeper for Blank & CO..
"a you keep books in the Officer
Iy Unmasked, the bOokkeeper broh
is down and made a clean breast Of it.
g. Now. Mr Juror. be good enough
IS state how old you are"
m "Fifty-six years"
y How long have you resided in tn
slater"
Fifteen years"
"Then you were not born hereT
The trapped man admitted the trutl
Here is another:
Were you born in Missouri"
D. mo, sir"
a. "Oh, / see. Then you moved heI
from some other state" And the
b. in a "come-come-don don't-delay-the-couri
y tone Of voice, Where did you CON