THE COURSE OF JUSTICE.

Press, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4754, 28 October 1880, Page 3

THE COURSE OF JUSTICE.

TO THB EDITOB OF THB PEEBB. Sib, —There exists a grievance, unknown to many, but nevertheless very severely and I acutely felt by those on whom it falls, where persons required to appear to giro evidence in the witness-box, often against their inclinations, either as suitors or witnesses, have to ! undergo the indignity and humiliation of hearing cast upon theirjcharaoters most rude, not to cay base, imputations and reflections st the hands of the adminietors of justice before whom they are compelled to appear to cue or testify. Are such expressions and insinuations as "β-o on," "Don't keep the Court waitiDg," " You know what I mean," " You remember very well," calculated to refresh or fertilize the memory, or to confound and confuse the mind of the unfortunate individual upon whom is thrown the whole task of producing evidence, or, in other words, of conducting the proceedings ? The old system, that is examination by means of questions, is made use of until the smalj stock of set questions is exhausted by the examiner (or until he gets tired, I am not prepared to say which), and then the new system comes into use, whereby much to the relief of the gentleman last referred to, the burden of producing new matter lies with the witness. It is rather a novel method of eliciting evidence, but of course, this is a new country, hence the improvement. Every man, as will be seen from what has already been said, appears to be regarded in the eyes of the law as a liar, little discrimination being made between the witness-box and the prisoner's dock, except that the latter receives a little moro consideration. But it might happen that men of integrity would sometimes find themselves in the witness-box, men who understand the nature of an oath, and recognise aod accept it in its true and copious meaning, who are ruled not by the expressions and gesticulations of those in authority, but by the guidance of their own oonscienoes—law-abiding citizene, who for the ends of justice would give freely and unreservedly any information which would tend to throw light upon the obscurity of crime or felony, to the furtherance of those ends—who are confused in their minds and frustrated in their good intentions, and in some cases doubtless made to perjure themselves, by such like indiscretions and over-bearings on the part of legal authorities, who are likewise, ac other officials, supported by the tax-paying population. And I protest against tho trampling or infringing upon the rightß and liberties of any free citizen, which bis appearance in Court does not in any way affect or lessen, nor does it render him any more open to abuse or disrespect than the magistrate himself, by such authorities. Suoh want of courtesy can only produce this result, that wherever -practicable cases will be settled between the injured and the offender by illegal arrangements and compromises, without recourse to law, and thus the latter will be allowed to go on hie way exultant and rejoicing, to seek other viotims on whom to practise hie frauds. Perhaps in this country " Juetitia," over-hearing the universal " keep your eyes open," has acted upon the admonition, and she no longer blindfolded, the scales no longer balanced, we, over whom she presides, must henceforth aot each one pro sibi. Those whom the optional laws of society do not affect,- the compulsory laws of justice should be brought to bear upon, even though they be law-givers.—Yours, &c, F.CUR.