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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