The New York herald., 1845-08-02

clerks for papers. 1t will undoubtedly be read with
much interest by the community, as II certainly was
by US, being, conceive, very rich, spicy, and
| funny document, which deserves TO be framed and
iung up in the " halls" which some inveterate wag
| las wtlily named "justce." 1t read as folows:-
Resolved, That papers, in Of felony, be
given to the reporters any other persons"
This sublime and highly interesting resolution,
he offspring of those " stars of legal profundity'-
the magistrates-was concoc,ed in solemn and Sc
cret conclave on Wednesday, and will undoubtedly
he the means OF transmitting the names of its illus
trous and sagacious authors down to posterity I'm.
mortality they sought, and Immortality shall be
theirs II will be perceived that the word "felony'
embraces a vast nomenclature of offences touching
public safety, and OF which the public, who might
ne presumed to be somewhat interested in the mat.
ter, are entirely precluded by this order from re-
ceving knowledge of, until the report of trial in
the premises. Among others, felony embraces the
following crimes Of high magnitude Murder,
manslaughter, burglary, grand larceny, forgery,
counterfeting, robbery perjury, subornaton of per-
Jury, assisting escapes from States Prison, &c.
The object which the trainers of this remarkable
document, therefore, had in view, was to exclude
from the public all information concerning the
INITIAL of crime in this metropolis. And here we
would inform the unntated, that all examinations
in these strictly private-held IN the " star
chamber" where reporter or other person" is
admitted The reporters have however, for the last
twelve years had free all papers, aidavits,
and examinations, and furnished our citizens with
prompt and correct information on subject so near
y concerning the safety life, and property of every
individual In the community. For the suppression
of crime, and punishment of offenders, the people
have long sustained highly expensive, though not
always the most efficient establishments and
they claim right to know in what manner their
paid servants act and ought to be informed of the
nature and character of the various transactions
which are hourly transpiring under the sanction Of
law. These wise and learned sages, however, have
decided otherwise, and henceforth murder and rob-
berry may stalk abroad unchecked. NO warning
must be given-no examples published which might
deter others; for it is notorious fact, that many
reckless and evil men have been deferred from the
commission of crime through fear of exposure in the
public journals. The people, however must rest sa.
ts6ed, and, upon the whole, will no doubt be highly
pleased with the decision and its results-ths Sc
cond edition of singh life below stairs,''
But to be serious. This resolution undoubtedly
Wouiu lcdu 10 Hlduy OdIeldceu IrauuS were IL not
that fortunately blessed at present with spe-
cial Justices of the most pure and untarnished char
acte-men selected solely from knowledge Of
their enlarged capacities and peculiar fitness for the
Office, without the slightest reference to low, debas
ing and grovelling political intrigue-men who are
renowned for their honesty, worth, candor, integ-
rty, civiliy and uprightness who like the
wife of the immortal Caesar, are not only pure. but
Bot, though with such virtuous men there may
be danger in the administration Of public
justice being at once secret and mysterious-et us
see if state of things might not exist which would
render such highly preudicial to the public
interest
Suppose that our bench of Justices instead of be-
ing men not only most purely honorable, but in fact
were composed of characters of ndiffer-
snt reputaton-of men dragged without any decent
Justification from the impure kennel Of some low
political clique, and whose moderate elevation only
rendered the odor of their reputation obnoxious
or of men whose whole lives had been passed
amid the fostering impurities Of badly organized
police, and whose frequent contact with felons had
imbued with rather sympathy for, than adherence
OF crime. Might not the sccresy now adopted by
" star chamber examinations afford the most gross
opportunities of abuse The most notorious feons,
by such men, might be discharged for considera-
ton in the shape of geld and the public kept in ig
norance of the cause. The impunity of crime might
DE secured by the liberation of the offender, and the
public, who pay dearly for protection become the
double prey of those who live by the commission
OF crime, and those who are paid for its prevention
a I'd detection This picture is not surcharged-its
H. 4 n
secret system prevails.
In the monarchical governments Of England and
France, where it might be least expected, the de
lection and publicity of crime are almost smulta-
neous; and SO far from the magistrates putting any
obstacle in the way of such publicity they court and
encourage dissatisfied that their own integrity is
best preserved by public scrutiny and it certainly
should be the boast OF all countries, where free IN
stitutions prevail, that the administration of Justice
is unconcealed, open and unequivocal 1t is high
time that the paid servants of the public, should
learn to keep their masters advised of their pro-
ceedings.
These remarks are pursued with a view to what
might occur under less pure administration, than
that which obtains at our lower police office
As that office is at present constituted the only in
convenience the public suffer- is the deprivation
of intelligence at once useful and necessary. But
for the future let us beware. In conclusion ore
word to the reporters. They are gentlemanly and
interchangeable set of men, who work early and late
tor the benefit OF the community let them insist
upon Their rights, act in concert aud they shall yet
be victorious.
MORE REFORM IN THE NAVAL OFFIcE.-Admiral
Hoffman has furnished another evidence of hia m
tentlon to reorganze his Office. lie intends to make
his office perfect check and auditing office of the
Collectors accounts, and at the same time to ia
clltate the business Of merchants. Yesterday be
gave notice to his remaining Deputy, Morgan L
Ogden brother Of the Auditor in the Collectors Of
flee, that he wasn't wanted any longer; and a no.
tice Of the same tenor to VIM. r. Cooke, one of his
clerks-both wings.