79 
are very helpful for one’s own cross-examination of oppos¬ 
ing witnesses, as well as for one’s argument to the jury if 
such an argument is to be made. 
OBJECTIONS. 
The strictest attention to questions is necessary, during 
examination of their own witnesses by the opposing side, 
both to see that they are properly put and to ascertain their 
design; and to the answers, so as to consider their effect, 
and to prevent any objectionable testimony being received 
without exception being made to it. Good judgment and 
great quickness of perception are necessary, as well as 
familiarity with the law of evidence, to know exactly 
when and how to object to evidence. The making of too 
frequent and too frivolous objections is apt to have a bad 
effect on the jury, especially when they are overruled; on 
the other hand, many a case has been won by skill in 
invoking and enforcing objections at the right moment. 
Improper questions must be objected to before they are 
answered. If, however, the question be one which does 
not necessarily call for incompetent testimony but such 
testimony is in fact given in reply thereto, objection should 
be made, not to the question but to the answer, or to such 
part thereof as may be incompetent or irrelevant, as soon 
as this fact becomes apparent. When a question calls for 
evidence which may or may not be competent, the oppos¬ 
ing counsel has a right to interpose and cross-examine the 
witness upon points material to the competency of his pro¬ 
posed answer; and when a question calls for evidence 
which may or may not be relevant, the questioner may 
be required to state beforehand the purpose of such testi¬ 
mony in order that its admissibility may be determined. 
Leading questions need not be objected to unless the 
answer which they suggest is material to the case and ob¬ 
jectionable to the opposing side. In merely formal or 
introductory matters leading questions are not only un¬ 
objectionable, but rather desirable, as calculated to save 
time by bringing the witness to the point at once. 
42956—23 -6 
