The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-07-29


DvToH CopE.-The object Of revising the practice
of the law in thisState, was to obtain brevty,
spicui,y and despatch, in the transaction of bust
ness With the view OF accomplishing this, three
able lawyers were appointed revise the old prac
tice remedy its wndiness, strike out the ;ntolera-
bic long processes that were required to be follow
ed, and substitute in lieu therefor, simple forms
that could be understood by all-even the most IL
hterate. The commissioners entered upon their
duties, and the result of their abors before the
country. The long and nonsenical declarations
and forms have been abolished, the proceedings
have been much simpliiied, and on the whole, ac
cording to Judge Edmond's opinion, the change is
for the better
We apprehend, however, that IN this respect, at
least we do not live in an age of progress we
think we can demonstrate TO the satisfaction of
our readers. If fever any of them have been so
fortunate as 10 have been mulcted in heavy DANA
ges in any of our law courts, and have had OPP
porunity of inspecting the judgment record in the
case, they will recollect that il was tremendous
long document, made up partly of printed matter,
and partly Of writing If they have read such In
struments, they did not understand one word
which they contained. very beneficial reform
has been made by the new code, IN the COMPOSE
ton of these instruments. They are exceedingly
simple, contain as few words as possible; but not
more simple than the judgment records that were
used nearly two hundred years ago, In this part
of the world. The following is an accurate copy
Of Judgment record that was framed and filed
among the archives of the court in which the case
was tried, on Long Island, IN the year 1871.
Att Cort of Sessions held att Gravesende, June 49,
John Lowe defendante.
Action flor deffemcon cause too cort. The defend
ant confeste That he drunke and very sorry
flor defamipge off the plaintiffs wife and begged his
pardon inn open cort Inc cort oreaer tnat ne pave
civil tongue inn his heade.
1t thus appears, after all our Boosting about our
age Of progress, our enterprise, our steamships,
rail road cars, electric telegraphs, and what not,
that we have actually to go back, and initiate the
form of law documents that was in use among
the old burgomasters and schepens of Long Island,
so far back as that period.
We recommend Judge Edmonds, and the men,
bers of the legal profession, to study the above
simple form of Judgment record. There is much
confusion we believe among the practitioners since
the new code came into operation, and II may
help to get them out of the difficulty.
The BOARD OF EpUCATIoN.-We have several
times called public attention to this body, believing
then, as we do now, that their proceedings were
not dictated by economical views, or in a spirit
to subserve the interests of those whom it was
intended should be partakers of the public bounty.
In our structures we discussed their proceed
lngs fully, but in an amcabe and friendly tone;
and without intending any offence to the board,
either collectively or individually we questioned
the propnety of several of their acts and particu
larry in reference to the manner IN which grants
or appropriations ofpubic money were made; and
we threw out some suggestions, too, which, If at
tended to, would be advantageous to the public
and creditable to themselves. Shortly after the
appearance of our articles, we thought some signs
of contrition and amendment were perceptibe.
A resolution was adopted, referring it to COM
mttee TO report to the board upon what conditions
grants of public money should thereafter be made
to ward trustees. The committee made their
report, and adopted some of our suggestions. The
report presented, and, after feeble debate, it
was laid on the table, with an intimation that
il would be taken up at an early day-but it
has not since been taken up, and why it has
not, II is for them to say.
Now, had that report been acted upon. although
il did not embody the whole of our suggestions,
II would, to extent, remedy the evil we point
ed out; 1t would, when ward officers made appli-
cations for grants TO organize new schools, COM
pei them to lay such statistics before the board, as
would enable that body to act Understandings,
and to determine for themselves whether such new
schools were, or were not necessary Ii would
compel ward officers 10 an economical expend-
ture of the public money, inasmuch 1t would
confne them TO one appropriation only; 1t would
cut off all applications for additional grants for
ira work, and for fitting up and furnishing, which
we look upon as the bane of the system; and
lastly, it would save the board and the trustees
TO the intemlnable discussions growing out of ap-
plcations for additional grants.
The board, however, has thought fit to cushion
the report and TO continue the old system OF ma
king appropriations II was only at the last leet-
ing that some ga, 900 were ordered to be paid out,
without wy face being made by any of the
members; even Mr. Blocker, who has been indie
fatigable in his endeavors to restrain extravaganza
and keep his brethren within decent limits was
silent upon the occasion.
THE PoLIcE-For the last ten days the work of
change, in the police department in the city, has
been carried to It's utmost extent. Men who have
proven themselves sentinels of the peace and good
order of the city, have been unceremoniously
thrust out OF Office, and their places supplied by
those who are ignorant of the duties assigned to
them
We are fully satisfied that there was an absolute
chanUac INIT