Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 226, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 September 1916 — Dangerous Question. [ARTICLE]

Dangerous Question.

“In court-martial trials in our army,” says an officer, “the attorneys are selected from the officers at the post without reference to their legal training or their ability to handle a case. “A young surgeon, whose ignorance of law was complete, found himself appointed counsel for the defense at his new post, and when he entered the court his only legal knowledge was that he had a right to ‘object’ to the tactics of the other side. When, therefore, one of his witnesses was placed under cross-examination, the lawyersurgeon sprang to his feet and shouted lustily: ‘I object I’ “On what grounds?’ demanded the prosecuting attorney. “‘On what grounds?’ repeated the surgeon. ‘On very good grounds. Why, if my witness tells the truth when he answers that question, it will ruin my case 1’ ’’ —Case and Comment .