El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-11-26
HARDsHIPs OF JURY SERVICE


HARDSHTPS OF JURY SERVICE.
EDITOR FL Paso Herald:
wish to say a few words to the
elllzens OF FL PasO and this county con-
corning jury service, and 7 know of
no better way than through the col
umns OF our daily papers.
During the last week I have 'been
serving as a juror, in charge of deputy
Fitzpatrick "a most courteous officisI5
On criminal case which, because Of
me prominence Of the defendant and
hlgh standing of counsel, has at
tracted unusual attention. When called
70 serve, I did so without complaint
nor did 1 seek the indulgence of the
court; though my business suffered
most gTleVously' 1 was glad 70 do my
Now, while the above briefly indi-
Gates my views IN regard to jury duty.
I wish 10 express myself, with all The
emphasis command, relative to the
abom1nable, unsanitary and degrading
conditions to which a juryman is sub
5ected when locked up" in our court
house on a criminal case
In the first place I do net believe
the Jury room, where we were con-
Tined, has been thoroughly cleaned
since the courthouse was built IN She
early SOS. The walls and ceilings are
about the same color as a smUkehouse
The water close leaks, is unsanluary
was SO odOriferoUs that the atmosphere
Of garbage wagon would be as the
aroma Of rose in comparison
q
fuel was provided for the heater, and
the drain plug Of the bath has evil
IDENTIFY long since disappeared. Prob
ably our officials do not believe thar
Cleanliness, Goodness and Justice are
an any way correlated.
The cots provided for the jurors
could probably be bought for IS each,
1hciuolng the springs. The mattress
on my bed was filthy. The blankets,
while Of good quality, were dirty, and
j venture to say have never been
a1-nr-. Ia
dered after each change of occupants,
and the mattresses occasionally fumi-
gated. There are three small electric
lights over the reading table, and the
bulbs are so loaded with dust and fly
specks that the illumination is greatly
reduced.
Now I beg to submit the proposition
that while man may give up his
business for the time being, and per-
haps suffer loss and make great sac
Tifices TO perform this function Of citi-
zenship, why should he be compelled
to endure conditions which preclude
the ordinary comforts to which he is
accustomed, and IN addition live IN
DER conditions while on jury duty that
are unsanitary and that may seriously
jeOpardize his health
If we are to secure the highest
measure Of justice, we must draw on
our ablest business men for jury ser
vice and to this end, quarters should
be provided and the furnishings and
care Of same such that the juryman
can secure a fair degree Of comfort at
least, and his physical well being main
tanned while IN service
If our officials cannot see their way
clear to spend sufficient money to pro-
vide suitable beds, not only with clean
linen, but fresh blankets and unsoiled
mattresses easy chairs, better lights
q sanitary closet, and such other COM
forts as may be necessary, and place
them in the hands Of an intelligent
caretaker who will see that the Jury
room and its furnishings are kept scru-
pulOUsly clean and wholesome, fear
our criminal courts viii experience
great difficulty in securing suitable
men TO perform this very important
service
Don A Carpenter.