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Show Faults of Jury Systsm. The rafterson trial has begun again, but the de-lay( de-lay( caused by the illness of one member of the first jury suggests the idea that it is time to do something to bring the system of trial by jury up to date. The trial could have proceeded just as well with 4even jnrors as with twelve The rights of the defendant de-fendant would not have suffered and the State's case would have lost nothing of its force, but the hoary tradition of the law was supreme and the case was delayed at great exjiense to the taxpayers. Much has been said as to whether the jury system sys-tem is a failure, but notwithstanding the opposition j to it, the system remains, and is likely to remain for : many years. However, the fact that we cling to it does not necessarily imply that we should regard it as sacred. There are some things in connection with it that could be changed, with great benefit to the-public. the-public. The method of selecting jurors in most States is a farce. . Talesmen are objected to if they have read newspapers, formed opinions or showed ether signs of intelligence.. Courts and lawyers gravely keep up the ludicrous forms that obtained years ago. It is a case of "touch not a single bough." We con'demn the Jury system utterly because it is essentially democratic In theory, but we can better it and make it worthy of respect, as everything connected con-nected with the law should be. |