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Editorial
May 2, 1931
The Gazette
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio
What is this article about?
The U.S. Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Hughes, grants a new trial to Alfred Scott Aldridge, convicted of murdering a policeman, because the trial judge barred questions on racial prejudice to jurors. Only Justice McReynolds dissents, sneering at the concept. The editorial praises the decision as humane and praises the court's recognition of racial prejudice.
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HUMANE AND CONSTRUCTIVE.
Negroes are denied justice so often in American courts, it is encouraging to find the U. S. Supreme Court blocking that barbaric practice. Monday the high court granted a new trial to Alfred Scott Aldridge. of the District of Columbia, convicted of murdering a policeman, because the trial judge had refused to permit the defense to question prospective jurors as to racial prejudice. Only one justice was to be found on the Supreme Court to uphold the lower court. That was McReynolds (of Tennessee). In his dissent, he went out of his way to sneer-"Racial prejudice (whatever that may be)," was the way McReynolds described it. Fortunately the rest of the Supreme Court had heard of racial prejudice. Chief Justice Hughes, in his decision for the court majority, stated the issue:
"The argument is advanced by the government that it would be detrimental to the administration of the law in the courts of the United States to allow questions to jurors as to racial or religious prejudice. We think it would be far more injurious to permit it to be thought that persons entertaining a disqualifying prejudice were allowed to serve as jurors and that inquiries designed to elicit the fact of disqualification were barred.
"No surer way could be devised to bring the processes of justice into disrepute."The Cleveland (O.) Press.
Eight. led by Chief Justice Hughes. for, and only one, against; and he a southerner! 'Twas ever thus.
Negroes are denied justice so often in American courts, it is encouraging to find the U. S. Supreme Court blocking that barbaric practice. Monday the high court granted a new trial to Alfred Scott Aldridge. of the District of Columbia, convicted of murdering a policeman, because the trial judge had refused to permit the defense to question prospective jurors as to racial prejudice. Only one justice was to be found on the Supreme Court to uphold the lower court. That was McReynolds (of Tennessee). In his dissent, he went out of his way to sneer-"Racial prejudice (whatever that may be)," was the way McReynolds described it. Fortunately the rest of the Supreme Court had heard of racial prejudice. Chief Justice Hughes, in his decision for the court majority, stated the issue:
"The argument is advanced by the government that it would be detrimental to the administration of the law in the courts of the United States to allow questions to jurors as to racial or religious prejudice. We think it would be far more injurious to permit it to be thought that persons entertaining a disqualifying prejudice were allowed to serve as jurors and that inquiries designed to elicit the fact of disqualification were barred.
"No surer way could be devised to bring the processes of justice into disrepute."The Cleveland (O.) Press.
Eight. led by Chief Justice Hughes. for, and only one, against; and he a southerner! 'Twas ever thus.
What sub-type of article is it?
Legal Reform
Crime Or Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Racial Prejudice
Jury Selection
Supreme Court
New Trial
Alfred Scott Aldridge
Chief Justice Hughes
Mcreynolds Dissent
What entities or persons were involved?
Alfred Scott Aldridge
U. S. Supreme Court
Chief Justice Hughes
Mcreynolds
Cleveland (O.) Press
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Supreme Court New Trial For Racial Prejudice In Jury Selection
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Supreme Court Decision Against Racial Prejudice
Key Figures
Alfred Scott Aldridge
U. S. Supreme Court
Chief Justice Hughes
Mcreynolds
Cleveland (O.) Press
Key Arguments
Negroes Often Denied Justice In American Courts
Supreme Court Grants New Trial Due To Barred Questions On Racial Prejudice
Allowing Prejudiced Jurors Brings Justice Into Disrepute
Mcreynolds Dissents And Sneers At Racial Prejudice