JURY FEES.
A majority report was submitted on the bill [H. R. 309] amending Section 34 of the act fixing certain fees, etc., recommending indefinite postponement. A minority of the same Committee recommended the passage of the bill.
Mr. NEFF was of the opinion that any man who was fit to sit on a Jury was worth $2 per day. He favored the minority report because it recommends the passage of the bill allowing $2 per day instead of $1.60, as the law now stands.
Mr. MEREDITH was opposed to the increase of pay because it would necessarily increase taxation without increasing the qualification of the Jurymen, as a man is bound to serve when summoned. He considered it the duty of every citizen to help protect society; the demands of society were such that the people must protect themselves against offenses, and Juries are a necessity, therefore he favored just as low a price as would be consistent.
Mr. COTTON thought it a very unjust law that compels men to leave their employment where they can make from $2 to $3 per day to serve on a Jury at $1.60 per day.
By Mr. BARNETT: The idea that men are compelled to sustain society by being called to a Jury Room and serve for $1.60 is an absurd one. We all know that it requires a good class of men to be Jurors. We all see the necessity of that, and to compel men to leave their farms in busy seasons to serve on a Jury at $1.60 per day is a hardship.
Mr. GILMAN favored paying Jurymen all their services are worth, and hoped the minority report would prevail.
Mr. BAKER--A Juryman who is not worth $2 per day is not worth anything. I am in favor of the minority report.
Mr. MEREDITH--I think the services of a great many men twenty years ago, who were pressed into service, was worth a great deal more than $13 per month. They went into service for the purpose of protecting the country and society, and their duties at that time were not any more needed than the duties of Jurymen at the present day, besides a man is not compelled to serve on a Jury but once a year. All I think necessary is to pay the expenses of a Juryman. Jurymen, as a class, are men of property, and the Jury system is maintained for their protection generally.
Mr. WRIGHT was inclined to favor this bill for the reason that he saw no indication or disposition in this body to reduce the salaries of Sheriffs and other officers connected with Courts. He thought it an unjust discrimination jurymen.
The minority report was concurred in. The bill was read the second time and ordered engrossed.
The House adjourned till 2 p. m.
