A. S. WATSON & CO. WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DRUGGISTS,
GENERAL CHEMISTS,-
AND
Manufacturers of the following
ABRATED WATERS, viz: SODA, TONIC, SARSAPARILLA, AND POTASH, LEMONADÉ, GINGERADE, RASPBERRYADE
AND PHOSPHORIC CHAMPAGNE. Deliveries in Town and Harbour from
7 A.M. to 7 P.M.'
Suies' MEDICISNE CHESTS REFITTED, PASSENGER SHIPS SUPPLIED.
Prompt Attention given to Const
Orders.
HONGKONG DISPENSARY,
HONGKONG. SHANGHAI PHARMACY,H SHANGHAL
CANTON.
FOOCHOW.
CANTON DISPENSARY,
THE DISPENSARY,
THE
Hongkong Telegraph.
HONGKONG, 18th January, 1882.
The so-called palladium of British liberty-trial by jury-has lately be come such a burlesque on justice, that the necessity for some striking reform in this branch of legal pro- cedure, would appear to have become a matter of great urgency. Trial by jury has doubtless outlived itself. The causes which rendered such a system almost imperative in the public interest and for public protec tion in the days when judges of the Lord Verulam stamp made legal decisions subservient: to the amount of bribe received, or in later days when atrocious scoundrels like Joffreys and Scroggs disgraced the judicial bench, no longer exist. Our present law-givers may be truly said to be sans peur et sans reproche, or like Caesar's wife, above suspicion and with such a check upon their public acts as the Press, could with
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH-WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18TH,
·
have received $250 and coste for the imaginary injuries he sustained at our hands, by a plain recital of what we knew beyond doubt to be mainly the honest truth. It is no doubt the same in England, as we frequently read of judges severely censuring what we may term the vagaries of juries. Men who are trained to the legal profes- sion must of course be better judges both of law and evidence than out- siders who have no special training, and whose intelligence and dis- interestedness may sometimes be open to doubt. The integrity of our judges is undoubted. They are the proper persons to docido, under a certain system of supervision, all legal matters, and we hope the day is not far distaut, when their powers will be increased to this extent.
1882.
Telegrams for Bangkok caugo for ward by gail glosing at Singapore a
a.m. 20th instant.
round his more fancied stablo con pacions W.8. oompany with Wild Surf, galloped the Valley Stakes course, quasil onto hque, vbou ha appeared to the brow griffin paling very hard
In ondocour sporting entielli on the subject of the programme for the forth coming rate-meeting, we commented the windor of the Shanghai Griffins, fill to pieces; still he hamil the best
promised gift of the King of Huwa fahandi keuletant-witbie on the absence of the Kalakaua Cap, thend riced pust the chair in somewhat
Mr. Hutchings riding, was sent aix 140 indicates. Wild Saud and Too furlongs at a steady pace, as the time, Rso, after healthy cranim samo daw the straight at a fast "the action. of the spotted pony impressing us most favourably Pedrillo and ther brown subscription
pony in Mr.
repowing offer these argumstances the Stewards will doubtling goo, their way to cloooding a the Kalakaua Cup as one of the regalar point in this instaucé, Mounting events of the meeting, A special no. tification of conditions, &c., should be issued without delay
to law and evidence, are dictated bythey have no claim-a stupid custom personal sympathies. For instance has be established apparently for the it would be an insult to the intelli- sole purpose of increasing the costs. gence of the gentlemen of the special Hdd a common jury lieen sitting in jury in the action. De Graos. the Wicking Fraser-Smith onse, Pitman, to believe for one moment we do not think-without in any that their decision was not away impugning the intelligence or verdict dictated rather by personal judgment of the gentlemen who ~| sympathies, than by the evidence ad composed the special jury that the Wo are glad to learn that a letter has duced at the trial, and the expositions magnanimous person whose special bou received fedin Colonel Judd on of the same and the law, as ruled by mission in life appeared to be inter-behalf of His Majesty (por favor of Afting of an qurgie left, he jug, he found has, other people's faire roma vient and all of the Under ruling the no possible loop-hole, under ordinary cir- cumstances, of returning a verdict for the plaintiff, yet in the face of the most ono-sided summing up we evor heard in a law court, a verdict was returned which got at nought both weight of evidence, and the views of the Chief Justice, There, can be little doubt that the jury, or rather a majority of that all-power- ful tribunal, considered that, the de- fendant was morally responsible; but as they were merely trying the issue on question of law and evidence, any decision based on other grounds was as a matter of course unwarranted, and a gross injustice to the defend ant. This particular case is only one of many which could be quoted in
of our contention that the support decisions of our jurios are, far from being fair and satisfactory. Nor is it in civil cases only that the jury system has been proved to be de fective. We have personally on many occasions seen justice burk lasqued at the criminal sessions. It is not so long ago suce a common jury acquitted a Chinaman, although his guilt was proved without the shadow of a doubt, simply becausé Sir John Smale happened to be in a rather irritable mood, and in summing up expressed himself, in effect, convinced of the prisoner's guilt. This jury was immediately released from further at tendance, and one of the jurors on being chaffed at the extraordinary verdict laughingly observed that "they found the prisoner not guilty for the express purpose of ": the old judge, although they knew he was guilty. Another case in which a special jury brought in a verdict of "not guilty" against a European, about whose legal guilt
'riling'
We understand that the police are investigating the alleged attempts to scuttle the British ship Hindostan, which we alluded to yesterday, in our report of the proceedings at the Marine
Court.
We learn by a telegram received yesterday afternoon that the French Ministry have introduced a bill in the Chamber of Deputies, proposing cor tain reforms in the present Constitu-
tion of the Goverment.
A wire from Lindon dated the 16th instant states that the principal officers of the Egyptian Government insist on their right to control the Budget. The Comptrollers General of England and France have opposed the claim.
The concert and pianoforte recital advertised to be given by Mdil. Olga Duboin, the well known Russian Pia- niste, in the City Hall, will not take place. The fair artists has arranged to give a performance in
Henry's stable vero faking things
easy, a sharp quarter mile, in which the brown seemed well able to
hold his own haing the extent of their guldping, Lochiel and Houtacha after trotting, were sent even farlonge Mr. Hutchings" subscription pony the last three quarters decupying 1.47. vent very steadily for six furlonge, the last half ante 1:13; Bhantblá and and Spectre oantered separately about two miles, the second atring showing
POLICE COURT THIS DAY Gabriel Daniel Wonchi, an unoimploy ed steward, who was charged on the Oth inst, with having stolen aine $5 bank notes, and three notes, the property of Leos Thallien; photo grapher on the 6th instilt the Tam-
jacob the better form; Gromwell perance Hall, whore hathithe plaintiff trotted, and appours: bou be fams all and defendant resided, was again Gadg Forward and Second brought up, oh romand, at the Police Viblia gilapad onés. round in good Wodehouse. The complainant having math better form than his companions. I Court this morning, before Mr. H
style (timer1481), the bay moving in left the Colony and in the absence of Bohemian and the white griffia in the further evidence, Mr. Wodulouse, nd dressing to the defendant, said, that gallop at half speed, both going well. sano, string were sout a steady exercise from the evidence adduced the caso Airlie and Duarobin cantered, the last before him was highly suspicious. If named covering this, three, quarters in'l the complainant had not allowed so 1.411, the grey taking 1.17 to much time to have elapsed before plish the sdme: distanco. F43911 giving the prisoner into custody it was and Sirocco galloped a mile, the last most probable that the dise would bo nadied greatly favored in the weights, clearer than it is now,
In the abadice going much stronger at the fuish thap? of the coluplainant he could not go his/stable companion. The white grif!! into the case any further, but remarked fins frepresenting the interests of that the prisoner was very fortunate in
Mesars Theo/abu Sassoon cautered at that in reviewing the evidence he was not figuring in the Supreme Court, add
a slow pace rather over three quarters!
of opinion that if the prisoner was innocent he could not see why he should tell a false story. He should, however, give him the benefit of the doubt, and discharge him, The prisoner was the removed froin the dock, in th
of a mile. The East Point contingent
of subscription griffins galloped a quar ridden by M. Allan, appearing to tor of a mile three times, the light grey
man owned ponies muddied about as be the pick of the basket. The Ger kusunl; and we are gob afraid that they are deteriorating instead of im proving. Twilight and Shamrock cantered slowly, Financier and Gold Batghly, trotting. Souten. Johnnyal Glengarry, and Whisper " three-quarters of a mile, the little grey
powed
til passing the Black Rock, where Hë commenced to come back, and Whisper overhauled bim, and they finished close running with great gameness gradually together in 1:49, Soutor Johnny beaten off Tajmahal and Rose galloped together rather over a mile, the last three quarter 12463, the last half mile 1.10.
perfect safety be entrusted with full there could not possibly exist the from thence proceeds to Shor's mixture better than usual (a streaming away ten lengths aboad un
***
remotest doubt, caused some sensa- tion at the time, and a lot of talk not without reason-about there being one law for the rich, and an other for the poor. In a celebrated assault case, which ultimately led to tragic results, we personally over- heard a special juror, one of the kindest-hearted, best meaning gen- tlemen ever seen in Hongkong, som pliment a witness on the straight forward, truthful, and admirable manner in which he had given his evidence," whereas, as a matter of fact, the witness, who has long since left the Colony, stood in the box. for close upon half an hour, and swore with unblushing effrontery to what we knew to be a series of gross un truths, And it is in this fashion that justice, both in civil and in criminal cases, is administered in Hongkong
We heard on Sunday last that the British barque Cuba, Captain Stabell, had been lost South of the island of Formosa. Our enquiries having failed to blibit any reliable or satisfactory in formation on the subject, we metely give the ramour for what it is worth.
In order to facilitate the measuring of intending competitors at the Hong. kong Races, owners are requested to furnish the Clerk of the Course with a list of the ponies to be measured, with Shanghai measurements if any such are recorded. It should be noted that od tries close on Saturday the 28th inst.
powers in the administration of jus tice. As a remnant of!) antiquity, which has doubtless served its pur pose effectively, we are willing to pay the languishing "palladium" the greatest veneration, the utmost pos sible respect; but as the altered character of the times we live in no longer requires this antiquated, use- loss, and altogether unsatisfactory machine, we can hardly be expected to hold it sacred, and maintain its integrity merely because it is a relic of ancient semi-barbarism. Changes in our legal system cannot be made rashly, or without mature delibera- tion, so that, however advanced our ideas may be at present, it would be useless to expect at one fell swoop the total abolition of what has ever bean regarded by the ignorant and unthinking as one of the most pre cious of the privileges of a free All that we have written is par people. Trial by jury is the.law of fectly well known throughout "the Great Britain, but even in criminal colony. The extraordinary verdicts cases it cannot be said to work satis-of our juries are common subjects for factorily, whilst in civil actions it is satirical conversation round our din-Supreme Court yesterday, both judges
simply a delusion and a snare. That ner tables. It is easy enough to ob- it may remain the law in our criminal tain as much law no you like, al- courts for a number of years is most though even that is an expensive likely; but the necessity for its aboli luxury, as we know by experience tion in civil actions has been gener- but justice is quite another matter, ally recognised, so that a change in and the person who receives strict this respect at least, is probably not justice at the hands of a Hongkong so remote a contingency as the injury, especially if he has been at any initiated might imagine.
time unfortunate enough to rub against the corns of any individual member of that august sanhedrim, had good reason to congratulate himself on his good fortune. Special juries in all paltry cases, as is the custom here, cannot be justified under any reasonable circumstances but
TRAINING NOTES.U work Thosu who stayed away from the course this morning missed a treat. The weather was beautifully mild, Tay left handed compliment this) the course in splendid condition, and any amount Strathavon and Dautloss wore the of galloping by the ponies in traininţi pioneers on the race-course, the first named starting for a mile gallop as the mists were slowly rising, all round the track. At the judge box, Dauntless started on a fouthey once rouill, about
Rose appeared all to pieces un. three lengthie abend of old“ Avon,” and til warmed up by galloping, and he at a steady pace, these two crocks galloped along. At the threo quarter erbinly did not move in a satisfactory
maner for did he appearable.to exit mile post the dubad slightly increased teal Tajmahd although vigoronaly his original lead, but breasting the in-ridden Thistle and Flycatcher "pow cline to the Black Rock Strathavon ad" a mile, the chesnut Having much
drew close up and a length, only sepa rated the phir as they commenced the descent towards the village, Nearing that well-known
laudmuck, Dauntless
The German steamer Atalanta which arrived here this morning from Saigon again drew out, although, the old fa reports having passed on the 12th in-vorite lay quite handy and closed up istant in lat. 10° 19' N. and long. 107the gap as they neared the quarter:
194 E. a British steamer which signall ad LGGF Penedo of Liverpool. She experienced a strong N.. monsoon and very heavy san during the whole
passage,
dell was again brought up at the The case of Lee Tak Cheong v. Dud.'
sitting. Mr. T. O. Hayllar appeared for the defendant, and argued on tech nical points that a verdict should be entered in his favour. The Attorney Goneral for the plaintiff opposed the motion, and their lordships reserved judgment.
We understand that the members of the Choral Sopioty purpose repeating. their performance of the "Pirates of Penzance" on the 27th inst. It has boon reported that the character of the Pirate Kiug will on this occasion be sustained by an old and experienced member of the Society, who performed both in "H.M8. Pinaford" and "The Doubtless farther rehearsale will render
the better of the spin, and finishing full of rainy in 2(19) Flycatcher tran gamely, but he seems to have lost his terrific dash of speed-417 4
Scene: Tropies. First Yankee skip. por:Yos-met an immense crowd of
mosquitos the other day.They want, clean through toy now main-tops'l, and ne but the bolt-ropes." Se- left nothing cond. Yankee skipper** Ah, yes; that must have been the mob we sighted on the 24th, and they all hall canvas knee. brescles on C (1) A
+17
The Buffalo Commercial Advertiser mentions what may be safely set down. As the worst case of spelling of recent record. It occurred in a " notis " of P "sally brashan" to be held on the shores of Lako 1
Lako Bary," and mentioned the occasion as a “guble." This word troubled the editor, a good deal, but with fare perspicacity be at length re- solved it into "ijabilps.” (1000C
37
post. Entering the straight Stratha von rau, wide, and Danatless; hugging he rails, cams.pounding along in front, and gradually increasing his land shot, post the post bard, hell, four lengths ahead of the grey, who had also plopty left in him, in 27a very fair exer oise. Both the ponies, although ander suspicion, pulled up sound, appearing none the worse for their pow East longe almost pulling the boy dat of the Wind went tearing along for seven fur- saddle, Lord of the fatesand Fiest Cornet in the same stable, going a similar distance, the last named in 2.8. Con ingsby and Strathpeffer wore seut a long steady, gallop, the groy showing a decided improvement binge lust" Saturday, although the phos hot was not fast, Wild Eddy, galloped two miles with his old joker in the saddlo, Aud, appeared to get over the ground in good style, but the reported 3.28 for his last mile and a half seams rather too good to be true ht this early stage. Mr, Gramont's stable word sont once you are not protected in the same
|
Dr. Labuis, of Now Orleans, who is something of wag, called on a colopril aninister and propovcited a fow puzzling questions. Why is átz" said lio,that you are not able to do the tables that the apostlesi did? They were protected against all poisons
Is it too much to say that trial by jury in Hongkong has gradually rendered our public tribunals, in very many instances, more especially in civil cases, a burlesque on public justice? As we cannot believe that our juries above all our special juries are so ignorant of questions as their employment increases the Sorcerer with credit to himself. Three grey subscription grillius ip and all kinds of perils 2" how is it that of law and fact, when plainly laid foes of barristers and solicitors, the second representation of the ope round at a godu pano, coming honu | way?"The coloured brother respond-
before them, as to be unable to dis- criminate between right and wrong, it must be inferred that many deci- sions which are given contrary both
purpose
the valuable time of business men iế wasted unnecessarily for the of trying to attach to ignoble squab bles a fictitious importance to which
retta superior to the initial perform ance both musically and histrionically, The Society will doatless succeed in getting a fall house,
close together in 2:17, Mr. Judiar's pair, ai dún and a grey, and Mr. James's grey galloped together, the despised grey.pppearing able to make rings
ad promptly— Don't know about that, doctor. I s'pect 'I is. I've taken mighty eight of aro
Et sight of strong medicine, from you, had I is alive yet.