Year: 1878

OUR PRESENT JURY SYSTEM

 In an issue of this paper week or so back we had an article pointing out some of the hardships and objec- tions to our jury system as it is ar ranged under existing statutes. In evidence that there are others who agree with US that this matter needs attention and that it would result in good to the State and economy to the people to have some changes made--and that, too, without i'm pairing the esficiency of our Courts, i've submit the following communi- cation written to the Clarksyille Herald by Logan county cores pendent. The additional sagges- tions which "Justice" makes are good, and we think the matter merits serious consideration:

 "The editorial on this subject in RusseIlyille DEMOCRAT meets my hearty approval, and will no doubt give satisfaction to every thinking miEd. 1 have an addition to make, which I feel satisfied my friend Bat. tenfield will indorse. The drawing and selecting of twenty four jurors is an expense unnecessary, and at court more than half of these are exempt. Then more are to be sum moncd to fill a panel-reqmring thus the whole panel of twenty four jurors to remain at the Court House, on an average of three weeks, for the term being eighteen days each at $l.50 per day, making $36 for each juror, which, with expenses of snmmoning, etc, will make about $700 for each term. belng $1400 per annum. This is to be paid by taxation on the l people.

 This is wholly unnecessary and can be saved by repeating the pres ent law; and when jury is wanted, let one be summoned from the out side and inside bystanders; and for l important cases the court can fix or set day and send out and have a 1 jury summoned that has no knowl- edge of the case. Again, when you have full panel of jurors kept in the Court, the whole time listening to the arguments of counsel and opinions of the Court on pleadings and demurrer, etc., before the issue is reached, renders a juror wholly unfit to serve on that jury, for it is human nature that persons, be they jurors or anyone else, will, uncon scious of the fact, have the seed sown in their judgments, and it will take good quantity of strong evi- dence to remove the same. So, at once, jury empaneled from the by islanders will be entirely clear from the least blas and make the best 1 jurors. So the conclusion of the whole matter is that we will save a large amount of expense, aud the jurors would rather be at home at tending to their pressing business. | And the secret grand jury system is another good cause for complaint. Grand jurors should be selected by the County Court, and their names placed on the record. Then the best men are selected from each township, and evil doers will be more guarded in their conduct in committing mis- demeanors, for then they will know that the grand juror will be compell- ed to report violations of the law. l say that the Legislature should change the present jury system and bring us back to the old time prac- tice. It will be cheaper, safer, and nos work such hardship on tue persons who are summoned as petit jurors. But it is greatly to be feared that nothing will be done.

 There is a great quantity of busl- ness that ought to be done that l greatly fear will not be reached by our next Legislature. But these small things will not be able to en- gage their tune, talents and industry, so as to be sure of a reform in these particulars; yet this is what we send them to the Legislature for-to be watchful of the interest and good ot the people they represent; and adopt such measures as will result in some benefit to the people. A great deal of change has become quite neces- sary. JUSTICE.

 Logan County, Oct. l4, 1878.

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