Perth Amboy Evening News

Public Opinion
THE DISTRICT COURT.
Perth Amboy, Aug. 30.
Editor EVENING NEWS:

You will pardon me, I know, if for no other reason, other than my old age, for now I am seventy-eight years old, and this is my birthday and I am not only amused but somewhat vexed by the treatment I received in the District Court held yesterday in City Hall in this city.

Many years ago I became acquainted with Blackstone with whom the lawyers of Perth Amboy may have been made acquainted, and Kent, and Greenleaf and many other legal authorities of law, and I presume your lawyers are well versed in legal proceedings in court, but I am somewhat ignorant of the court rules and regulations in your District Court and therefore I am writing this communication for information.

When a lawyer goes into the law court with a case that goes there on appeal or exceptions, he is expected to present a 'brief' of his argument for the members of the court. Otherwise he has no reason to be there.

I am not in the court, but was yesterday and summoned there by a 'subpoena' to appear there as a juryman -and failing to appear I was subject to pay a penalty of $25.

I appeared at 9:30 A. M., court convened or opened a little after 10 A. M.
Scores of men, some women, and two or three others assembled there. I saw no officers of the court with badges on their lapels, and when an old gentleman came in and seated himself in what appeared to be the judge's chair, I heard no one say 'The Court' and nobody took off his hat, and many of the gentlemen (?) stood around smoking cigarettes or cigars, and I felt as though I was in a 'club room,' or in a place where it was free and easy—with 'plenty of smoke' but no beer.

Several individuals had 'green bags' and some had leather cases containing papers that were typewritten or in manuscript.

I had been summoned as a juryman and wanted to get into the jury box or get out of the court room.
Time dragged along and a little before 12 o'clock Mr. No. 8 was called and I went forward and took my seat with the other seven who had been called. Finally the jurymen, twelve good and true men (excepting No. 8) were in the box. Then for the first time I realized that I was in the court -what next? Two were challenged by attorneys and No. 8 was challenged.

I walked out.

On my way back from the judge's bench, I accosted an attache of the court, and said: 'Am I released or discharged? and if so I want my attendance fee of 75 cents.' He replied 'I will see the clerk and make inquiry.'

He came back soon after and informed me that I had done no service and therefore was not entitled to any fee.

Now this is my question: Who got my fee of 75 cents?
Is there any grafting in Perth Amboy, or Middlesex County?

B. K. KALLOCH.