The New York herald., 1844-11-29

| trivances are lnnnmerabe, by which they manage
to continue the r oahng and disreputabe existence.
Their rapscity and decentralization, as exhibited
around the Tombs," are almost incredible, and
must 1e made the subject OF another article. To
one OF then schemes only we have space at present
to advert. II is quite characteristic Ii is the get
iingup of prosecutions against the newspapers for
libel II a trifiing allusion appears in report of
criminal or any other proceedings at the Courts,
THESE petfoggers go to work, hunt up the individu
al IN question: and persuade him that the publication
Is gross and malicious libel. If the individual
oe hot headed and particularly gf ed with sense
they work upon his feelings until they excite his
spleen against the editor; il he be poor hungry
loa~r. like themselves, they him that fiae
cnaece Is offered oi making handsome sum by
prosecution and thus IN many cases they succeed
IN extracting lee OF eight ten dollars But they
have, of course, no idea of prosecution. Their
next effort is to get an additional ten dollars from
the newspaper proprietor TO stop proceedings."-
But lately some of the proprietors have been be-
fore-hand with these petfoggers, and by prosecut-
ing the matter, and bringing out the real facts, the
lawyers themselves have been indicted or driven
out of the city.
Such is brief and cursory view of the natural
history of the New York bar. The subject is am
pie, interesting, and important in the highest degree
We have merely glanced at it. Enough has been
said, however, to show that a great reform is
wanted in the legal profession. How it can be ef-
fected we are al loss to know unless it be through
the agency Of the good lawyers who are gentle
| men, on the bench and at the bar. Will we appeal
IN vain to them for the publication Of their order"
for the expulsion from it of those elements OF
vulgarity, dishonesty, and crime, which have so
sadly disfgured, weakened, and degraded that pro-
fession which should be the pure, honorable and
ineproachable minister of justice, order and mo-
rality!
The MURDER CASE ON STATEN lsLANp-On Mon
day moraing last special Court Of Oyer and Ter
miner commenced the second investigation into
the case Of Polly Bodine, at Richmond. It was
generally considered likely, that much difficulty
would be encountered in procuring jury on that
Island, as free and impartial as should satisfy the
prisoner on one hand, and the people on the other;
the opinion was quite correct, and it has been fully
sustained by the proceedings of the last four days
devoted to the case. Our reporter went down for
the purpose OF giving complete report of the trial,
Intending to remain present during the entire in
quest but finding that the result of four days con-
slant application of the Court has been get but
two jurors empanelled and as there is good reason
to think that the next week will not be more sue
cesstuy spent in efforts to obtain ury,t appeared
TO him that there was little use in remaining. From
the report in to-days Herald, and those previously
published, the public will gather correct impress
sion of the nature Of the proceedings up to yester
day afternoon; and after reading them, and remark
ing the sameness which prevails throughout, we
think they will come to the conclusion, that an ex-
tension of the report Of the preliminary proceedings
in the case, would not be worth the ume-for until
jury is obtained, the doings Of the Court will be
but transcript, with change of names, Of what
has already taken place Very great zeal is shown
by counsel for the accused, and not point, even
the most minute, but is seized by them and turned
to as much account for their client as is possible
tor legal ingenuity to do; nor are the gentlemen
engaged on behalf of the prosecution behind for
nothing is neglected by them, and no pains spared
that can be made subservient to the ends of pure
justice Perhaps The great, and, it may be added,
audable zeal shown by both sides, not emitting the
uncommon patience, and untiring assiduiy OF
Judge Kent and his associates may tend TO prolong
the trial /; we believe, however, that delay in this
case is unavoidable, and that after all. they will
be unable TO get jury; and the whole time, and
trouble, and expense incurred in the case will go
for nothing
The WIG JOURNALS AND Mr.. BANcRoFT.-Th
wing partlzan prints have again opened their bat
teries on Mr.. Bancroft, the historian. They got
rather the worst OF it in the attempt to make him
out guilty If giving partizan coloring TO his ae-