Welcome to the Posey Circuit Court
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Welcome to the Posey Circuit Court
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GAVEL GAMUT by Judge Jim Redwine “A GLIMPSE OF STOCKING” Indiana’s own Cole Porter wrote the musical “ Anything Goes” in 1934. The title song will occasionally rumble through my brain when I take the Bench in our 129 year old courthouse. Why you might ask? Or perhaps you might suggest that my brain can ill afford to be divided between two tasks. Be that as it may, when I gaze across the courtroom at the historic jury box where so many of you have served and where so many important decisions have been made, my mind will sometimes hum to itself: ♫ In Olden Days a glimpse of stocking Was looked on as something shocking But now goodness knows, Anything goes! ♫ We are back to your question, why? Well, I will tell you. The beautiful oak jury box that was so carefully crafted as a symbol of our great democracy was installed in 1892, about 15 years after the “new” courthouse opened. More to the point of your insistent question, it was installed about 28 years before women got the right to vote. Ergo, since Posey County then drew its jurors solely from the list of registered voters, only adult male voters, “of good repute for intelligence, fairness and integrity,” could serve on juries. And, as all men of that day wore trousers, the short front railing of the jury box revealed nothing of prurient interest. However, after 1920, thanks to the efforts of our erstwhile protagonist, Frances “Mad Fanny” Wright, and many others, women were afforded the same opportunity as men to serve the American judicial system. Some of you may be unsure of the benefits of this development. But I digress from your nagging concern about Cole Porter and my dual tasking. Here’s your answer. Our county forefathers, they were all men at that time, decided to tack a “modesty shield” over the front railing of our original jury box. This was done so that ladies might cross their legs while serving on a jury without concern for exposing their ankles. With some of the outfits of today they would have had to erect a wall. Regardless, one of the pleasures of my job is speaking with our young people who frequently come to the courthouse on field trips. All of the children, but particularly the girls, are amazed when I point out the modesty screen and tell them that for about the first 150 years of American democracy women had no right to vote. My mother was born in 1913. She told me of her mother’s pride the first time she could vote. Grandmother never missed a chance to vote. And one of her great pleasures was canceling out my grandfather’s vote. Grandmother was the only member of my family who would admit to voting Republican. As she always said, “if it was good enough for Honest Abe, it should be good enough for anybody.” Well, maybe. Anyway, why don’t you stop by and I will show you our antique jury box. It’s good to preserve these reminders. |
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