REBUKING A JURYMAN.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 4, Issue 320, 12 August 1879, Page 3

REBUKING A JURYMAN.

I once heard this anecdote, by Judge Parsons, the great Massachusetts advocate andlawyer, says the Rev. J: : ¥ f - Clarke :—- It is said that being about tp try a Mercantile case, he ordered a jury to be.summoned, and among the names -was th_t ,6f Mr Thomas H. Perkins,. the leading merchant of Boston, and a personal friend of Judge Parsons. When the officer made the return he laid down a 50dol bill before the Judge. " What is that ?" said Parsons. " Mr Perkins' says he is very busy indeed to-day, and prefers to pay his fine." " Take that back to Mr Perkins," said the Judge, " and tell him to come here at once, and if he refuses bring him by force." When Mr Perkins appeared, the Judge looked sternly at him, and said—" What do you mean, sir, by sending money when you were summoned to sit on this jury?" Mr Perkins' replied—"l meant no disrespect to the. Couit, your Honor, but I was extremely busy fitting out a ship for the East Indies, and I thought that if I paid my fine I might be excused." 7. " Fitting out a ship for the East Indies, sir ?" shouted the Judge, " and how happens it that you are able to fit out a ship for the East Indies ?" " Your Honor, I do not understand you." " I repeat then, my question ; " how is it that you are able to fit out a ship for the East Indies ? If you do not know, I will tell you. It is because the laws of your country are properly administered. If they were not, you would have no ships. Take your seat, sir, with the jury."