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The Green Bag.

it will be passed in practically its present form. The only penal legislation that will interest Congress will be that aimed at an archy. In righteous anger over a heinous crime, the interest of the country will be stirred only in this one line, because the function of the law in such cases has been sadly and forcibly brought to its attention. But the protection of our magistrates and officers is but one way of safeguarding the majesty of the law and defending the body politic. The only sure way is to make all laws just, according to the best standards not only of practical morality and defensive means, but also of science. For it must be borne in mind and thoughtfully pondered

upon, that "The beginning of the government of law was the Criminal Code for the repres sion of crime and the defense of society from criminals. Criminal law is the foundation of the whole edifice of human laws; its integ rity and efficiency, the most essential to the common welfare of them all. It should naturally and logically; as the plant and germ, the essence and supreme principle, the cardinal function of them, hold the position of honor and highest respect among laws; its practice should be the most reputable branch of the legal profession instead of the least honorable."1 1 Henry W. Boies, "The Science of Penology."

GENTLEMEN By Douglas OFMalloch.

^Z. J'JRY.

I

HAVE had more or less experience with juries. 1 hasten to assure the anxious reader, however, that never has my personal liberty been in one's hands. Thus far I have managed to avoid meeting a jury face to face, so to speak. But I have mixed more or less with jurymen—grand, petit and coroner's. When I have been at home I have sat on juries, and often when I have been away from home I have read about their verdicts and wanted to do so. The law guarantees to every man a trial by twelve of his peers. It is a great right, and yet I have known men who have gone clear across the continent to avoid claiming it. We boast about our jury system, but I have never seen a man yet stand up before a jury and seem tickled about it. The strange thing about it is that some of the jury dodged the situation quite as hard as did the defendant. I do. not know why a man should not like to serve on a jury—unless it is because of the arguments. In ancient Greece the Gre cians fought for the honor of serving on juries—and they could not draw ten cents

mileage and only pay five to the railroads, at that. They could not play sixty-six and high five to while away the tedium, waiting to get in an extra half day. A man who succeeds in breaking into the jurymen's class ought to be proud of it, for he has accomplished something. And in cidentally I will interject a hint for the bene fit of the man who does not want to serve on a jury. If you do not want to sit on a jury, try to. Make somebody believe you want to get a chance to deliberate on a cer tain case and you will be put through an interrogatory hopper that will cut short your apparent aspirations of a jury-like character. After you have sworn to true answer make to such inquiries as may be put to you touch ing your competency to sit as a juror on the trial of this case the bombardment will com mence. There will then occur a conversa tion between yourself and counsel something like this: Q. Do you know anything about this case? A. No, sir.