tracts in restraint of trade, agreements founded on corrupt considerations, usury and gaming; parties who are incapable of caring for their own rights as infants, idiots and lunatics are under the special care of the court.

Court of Mediation and Arbitration.—(a) Nature.— This court was created by the legislature of 1889, "to provide for the amicable adjustment of grievances and disputes that may arise between employers and employees." Whenever any such grievance or dipute shall arise it is lawful to submit it in writing to a court of arbitrators for hearing and settlement.

(b) The Court. The court is composed of three judges appointed by the governor for a term of three years. The court appoints its clerk. Any two of the arbitrators constitute a quorum. Each arbitrator receives five dollars a day for actual service and the clerk, who is to be one of their own number, receives twelve hundred dollars a year, but no per diem.

(c) Procedure. Whenever any grievance or dispute between any employer and his employees is brought to the attention of the court, the court will go to the place of the dispute and make a careful investigation into the cause or causes and may take testimony under oath. Both parties to the controversy submit their cases in writing and promise to continue in business or at work without a lock-out or strike until the court renders its decision, providing that it is made within ten days after the completion of the investigation. The decision is rendered by the board, or a majority, and made out in triplicate, one being filed with the county clerk where the dispute occurs and one filed with each of the parties.

Whenever a lock-out or a strike occurs, or is threatened in any part of the state and it comes to the attention of this court, it proceeds as soon as practicable to the locality of the

disturbance and endeavor by mediation to affect an amicable settlement of the controversy.

Grand Jury.-Grand juries are not summoned in this state except at the discretion of the circuit judge. Not less than fifteen nor more than twenty-three jurors are drawn in the same manner as regular jurors for circuit court. The proceedings are secret. The jury elects of its own number a foreman and clerk. The examination of witnesses is conducted by the prosecuting attorney. The findings of the grand jury are called indictments and subjects those against whom the indictments are found to arrest and trial. At least twelve must vote for the indictment.

Suggestions and Material.

In county seat towns an arrangement should be made with the presiding judge to have the class attend court. A time can easily be selected when the most good can be gotten from the proceedings. In other places it is usually possible to witness a jury trial in a justice's court, arrangements having been previously made.

A mock trial not only familiarizes those who participate in it with court proceedings, but furnishes an interesting entertainment to which friends of the school may be invited. Teachers will find it very useful.

Do not fail to have conversations with judges, justices and attorneys regarding court proceedings. Make your teaching live and practical and real.

An interesting exhibit may be made by securing the complete history of some case in justice court, and if convenient, the same after appeal to circuit court. The local justice and attorneys will gladly furnish the data. Do not omit a single step.

Questions on the Text.

What is the highest court in the state?

How is a case taken to the supreme court?
Who opens circuit court?

What is the business of the first day?

Describe the conduct of a trial in circuit court: (a) Selection of jury. (b) Swearing of jury. (c) Opening of case for prosecution. (d) Examination of witness, direct and cross examination. (e) Addresses to the jury. (f) Judge's charge. (g) Deliberations of the jury. (h) Verdict. Sentence.

What is the jurisdiction of the justice court?
How is a jury selected in the justice court?

How is a trial conducted?

Give the steps in bringing a civil suit. A criminal suit. What are the duties of circuit court commissioners? What are courts of equity? Courts of law?

(i)

How does the practice in a court of law differ from that in a court of equity?

What is the chancery court?

What are some of the cases arising in chancery court?

What is the court of mediation and arbitration?

Who composes the court?

What is its work and how is it conducted?

Who calls a grand jury?

How is a grand jury organized and its work conducted? What is an indictment?

Home Study Questions.

Is there a jury in the supreme court?

Name all the courts in our judicial system, and the number on the jury in each.

What is the legal standing of supreme court decisions?

What is the highest punishment for any crime in Michigan?

What is meant by "lynch law?"

Could a person act as his own attorney?

What should be the character of the judge's charge to

the jury?

Must a justice of the peace be a lawyer?

Why do business men wish to avoid jury service?

What are nominal damages?

What is a "strike?" A "sympathetic strike?"

What is a "lock-out?” A “scab?”

What is the "union label?"

Tell of some recent grand juries and their work.

CHAPTER XIX.

MUNICIPAL COURTS.

Authority. The constitution provides that "municipal courts of civil and criminal jurisdiction may be established by the legislature in cities." Under this provision there have been established "The Recorder's Court of the City of Detroit," "The Superior Court of Grand Rapids," and "Police Courts" in various cities.1

Recorder's Court (Detroit). This court has original and exclusive jurisdiction of all prosecutions for crimes, misdemeanors and offenses committed within the corporate limits of the city of Detroit, except in cases cognizable by the police courts or justices of the peace of the city. It has the same power as circuit courts have within their respective jurisdictions. All offenses against acts, ordinances and regulations of the common council of the city are also tried in this court.

There are two judges serving for six years, and who receive a salary of five thousand dollars a year. The state pays them the same amount as circuit judges receive, while the balance of the five thousand dollars is paid by the city of Detroit. A clerk and two deputies are appointed by the court for a term of six years; the clerk is paid three thousand dollars a year and the deputies two thousand dollars out of the city treasury. Six terms of court are held commencing on the first Wednesday in January, March, May, July, September and November.

Other cities that have municipal courts by special acts of the legislature are Kalamazoo, Saginaw, Bay City, Muskegon, Jackson, Lansing, Port Huron, Cadillac.