Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 104, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1914 — AVOID JURY SERVICE [ARTICLE]

AVOID JURY SERVICE

PUBLIC DUTY THAT IS DISLIKED BY BRITISH CITIZENS. Humorous Excuses Sometimes Ad-i vanced by Those Who Are Sum- i moned—Woman's Plea for Expenses Allowed by Judge. Few British citizens, indeed, haveever any burning desire to spend three or four days successively in the jury box at the high courts or at the local assizes or sessions, a writer in London Answers says. The average, jury receives such treatment and is so much annoyed by delays, criticisms, intricacies, etc., that nobody wants to serve on it. Add to these ills the serious loss of time to most tradesmen, loss of actual money owing to business postponements, loss of out-of-pocket expenses In meals, fares, etc., and no one can wonder that the British citizen will make any excuse in the world to be quit of serving as a juror, if he thinks it can be managed. In my capacity as a clerk in one of the chief London courts I come across strange excuses of this kind. Not long ago one of the men summoned for jury in a breach of promise case appeared and claimed exemption because his wife had presented him with twins that morning, and this unexpected event had upset’ him so much that he felt he couldn’t give his mind to the trial as much as was necessary to do it justice. The court laughed heartily and the man appeared surprised at his callousness. But he didn't get off. “I’m stone deaf, my lord,” said ons eager juror, before he was sworn, evidently expecting he would be let off forthwith. So I was instructed to make him stand down for a while till we had got bls panel arranged, which he did with a smile as of a conqueror. But that smile was his undoing, for the judge had observed It, though he gave not the least Indication of this. However, when all was ready for the case to start, and whilst the man was standing expectantly near the box, his lordship, looking at me, said blandly and unconcernedly: “Oh, just write down for that man that he may go, Mr. , will you?” I turned to the juror, but it was clear he had heard the judge’s words, for he was hurriedly preparing to de- ’ part. And before I could explain to him the judge added quietly: 7 “By the by, he may as well stop. His hearing seems to be improving, and he can wait for the next case, by which time it will doubtless be all right again.” « I got a bit of a shock one morning when, on callinig out the name of “Francis Johnson” among the jurors, a lady in court arose and came forward. Judge, counsel and spectators stared in wonder. “But you’re a woman!” I gasped. “Of course!” replied she tartly. “What did you imagine I was —a monkey?” I had to explain that women were ineligible for sitting on a jury. “Then why did you bring me up from Sldcup?” she inquired. “I have lost my time and money in coming, and all because you folks are so silly that you can’t tell a woman from a man.” , . , She had the pull of us, and the spectators grinned shockingly. “Pay the lady’s fare and excuse her,” said Mr. Justice , suavely. This was the neatest and safest method, as his lordship knew when be caught the glint in that lady’s eye. So I paid her expenses and she left, smiling and thanking the judge profusely. A judge is usually a capital hand at summing up human nature, especially of the feminine variety. All said and done, that is his business.