Her Initial Attempt. all the reasoning, and the point decided was obscured and lost." In 5 Soutlurn Law Re view, 77, may be found a carefully prepared statement on the elements of successful re porting. The author offers fifteen sugges tions, the eighth of which is as follows: "The head-notes should not be a mud-scow of re citals or a disembodied spirit, but should con tain a clear, terse statement of the precise points decided, and should always be pre pared by the judge who writes the opinion, because he knows better than any one else what was intended to be decided." Of the judges a word or two more may be said in parting. Association with them, espe cially on the circuit, was a great treat. As there was little to distract and more or less opportunity for social amenities, they dwelt in their few leisure moments on reminis cences fruitful of anecdote and incident,
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showed kindly interest in the current con ditions of local bars and indulged in pleasantries that elicited the reward of a smile or a laugh. And yet one cannot but deplore the retention of a law which sends the justices of the Court on an annual mission only to deal as a rule with meagre dockets and to lose much valuable time. It is urged that the people desire and have a right to see their judges at least once a year. I do not question the right; I do question the desire. The people take no interest in either judge or points of law, and at all law sessions the spectators' seats are empty or nearly so. This foolish and elsewhere generally obsolete sys tem is not creditable to Massachusetts. One session for the whole State at Boston, each county to have the privilege of a special as signment, is all that is required.
HER INITIAL ATTEMPT. BY EDGAR WHITE. A GOOD-LOOKING young matron from the rural district was on the stand for the defendant in a criminal case. It was her first experience of the sort, but she got along smoothly during the direct examination. When the State's Attorney took her in hand, however, the trouble started instantly. The following is a transcription from the official record at this point: Prosecuting Attorney: "Now, madam, I wish you would relate all that occurred the evening of this difficulty." Witness: "Again? Why, I told it once." Defendant's attorney: "Tell him again, Mrs. ." P. A. (sarcastically): "Who's examining this witness, I'd like to know? If you ain't through " Witness: "When you're all talking at the
same time I don't see how you expect a body to think " P. A. (excitedly): "Wait a minute! Your thoughts are not evidence. We insist that the witness confine her testimony to facts." By the Court: "Answer his question, madam.." Witness: "What was his question?" By the Court: "Repeat the question." P. A.: "I have forgotten what it was. Will the stenographer please read it?" Stenographer: "Now, madam, I wish you would relate all that occurred the evening of this difficulty." By the Court: "Now answer that." Witness: "Why, certainly, I have no objec tions, but I supposed he heard me the first time. Well, to begin with, when Johnnie came home that night he put his horse in
