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The Green Bag
people wanted substantial compensation, knew they had a good case, and weren’t
ing, it was of course impossible to go on
contestants, who were vitally interested to the extent of some thousands of dol lars, were not anxious to hurry matters, as there was more or less talk of a satis factory settlement. So Lawyer Reuben Smiley always made a continuance easy. And the corporation counsel was afraid of a heavy judgment for damages against the city, so he, too, was willing to keep
with the trial then. Consequently the case was adjourned
coming to an amicable adjustment that
surrendering anything. But with a score of independent inter ests represented by numerous attorneys
with other cases on in the difierent courts, and the corporation counsel with
a. multitude of important affairs press
by agreement. Lawyers quite generally can agree about postponing things. Before the next date arrived, the
lawyers had agreed to another continu ance. This time somebody had a sore
up the continuances with the view of would be satisfactory to the city fathers. The judge, well, he was always in
favor of compromising differences and amicably settling controversies, if pos sible, so he made no objection, as long
toe or something and couldn't be on
as everybody else was agreed.
hand.
little to say in this contest anyway, as he was simply a sort of master of ceremonies
Again it was continued. Then, either because the judge was getting impatient, or some lawyer or
lawyer's client was inflicted with a sudden spurt of energy or for some other
He had
to keep the program straight, according to established rules.
The jury had the whole say, and was the sole arbiter in this sort of a pro
unexplainable reason, it was necessary
ceeding, if it could ever get hold of the
that some progress be made, so a jury of twelve men good and true was drawn and sworn. Next, the judge, and the lawyers, and the jury put on hats and coats, lighted up cigars, went up the street for several blocks, in solemn procmsion, the ob served of all observers, and viewed the
case and out of the hands of the lawyers.
remains—of the proposed alley——of so much of it as was not covered with boxes and barrels, and cans, and bottles, and
They were business men of more or less prominence and had important private afiairs of their own to look after. They
garbage. After such splendid progress of course
were willing to do their duty as citizens, but things began to look to them as
another adjournment was necessary. Im possibility of getting important witnesses was the excuse given, whatever may have been the real reason. Naturally the lawyers, who appeared simply to get fees for time-service for clients not par ticularly interested because not likely to get damages, were always very com
though they were being trifled with by the lawyers. They were getting im
plaisant about continuances.
“sore." Somebody would have to suffer for it some time.
The Kicker; block people, the real
When the case was again called, a continuance had been agreed upon be forehand among the lawyers, but not
in time for the clerk to warn the jury men not to appear.
The jury were on
hand promptly, ready to finally dispose of the case and get it ofi their minds.
patient. Their interest lagged. Court proceedings were becoming irksome to
them. Some of them were heard to express themselves more forcibly than elegantly on their way back to their places of business. They were getting
