The Green Bag
afforded the most flagrant illustration we have had for many years of the evils of our system of unregulated challenges of jurors. On the other hand, the picture is made less gloomy in view of the fact that at least two great criminal trials have been concluded after being conducted with fairness and dignity. The Beattie murder case was satisfactorily disposed of in Virginia, the prisoner being put to death four months and six days after the crime was committed, although the trial was some what more lengthy than under ideal conditions. The Spencer trial in Massachusetts resulted in a verdict of murder in the first degree, having lasted about ten days, the defense of insanity having been interposed. The machinery of justice did not work with such promptitude in this case as in Virginia, the crime having been committed in March, 1910. Moreover, the defense in the Spencer case has been given till January 1st to file exceptions.
The United States Supreme Court
The Oregon initiative and referendum case and the New York cotton corner case were among the most important argued before the United States Supreme Court in November. Instead of hearing arguments in only seventy-five cases before the Christmas holidays, as was done last year, the Court had presented to it before the Christmas recess this winter nearly twice that number. Indications now are that the Court will dispose of half as many more cases this year as it did last year. The change in pace is generally credited to Chief Justice White. His most potent rule in this direction is regarded to be the one recently adopted reducing the time for oral arguments before the Court.
The Supreme Court adjourned Nov. 20 until Monday, Dec. 4, without attorneys for the indicted beef packers in Chicago making any attempt before the tribunal to stay the packers' trial on charges of criminal violation of the Sherman anti-trust law.
Presentation of a Portrait of Dean John H. Wigmore
The annual reception of the North western University Law School, on Nov. 10, was an occasion of unusual interest because of the presentation of the portrait of Dean John H. Wigmoie, the gift of the class of 1911 to the Law School. The portrait of Dean Wigmore, which forms the frontispiece of this issue of the Green Bag, was painted by Arvid Nyholm, a noted Swedish painter, who since 1905 has made his home in Chicago. The presentation speech was made by Stephen S. Gregory, president of the American Bar Association, who said of Dean Wigmore: "His name and his work are familiar to lawyers throughout our country, and, indeed, beyond its borders. His frequent contributions to the literature of the profession, his active and influential participation in professional and other organizations calculated to advance the cause of enlightened jurisprudence, to promote Law Reform and to secure a better, more efficient, and more merciful administration of justice among men, have justly earned the gratitude and appreciation of his brethren in the profession. Nor can I omit to mention the important contribution to the permanent literature of the law which he has made in his most valuable work upon evidence, a monument of industry, learning, and discrimination, which has become a vade mecum to almost every lawyer in extensive practice."
