New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-05-23
TuE JUDICIAL SALARIES.

Tie attempted inroad Of Judge MORRIS upon the
City treasury deserves exposure not only from its ma
ture and mode Of operation, but because IL affords
ground Of accusation against the elective system of ap
pointing Judges That system we hold TO be on the
whole most safe and beneficial but it requires the
vigilance of the press and of all honest people keep it
So Without such watchfulness, and sometimes ia
spite Of it, demagogues aud corrupt may make their
nay to the bench and when they have succeeded in
gaining that honorable elevation it becomes doubly the
duty Of the journalist TO watch their steps keep them
under the wholesome restraint Of publicity aud to rouse
against wrongs they may endeavor to commit the ear
nest opposition Of good citizens. That duty do not
intend 10 neglect in regard to Judge Morris, any
o her dgnitsTy.
The facts in the Judges case simply that the
9th Of December last the Aldermen, acting as the
Board Of Supervisors perfected resolution increasing
the salaries Of the Supreme Court Judges in this dis
trict from $4,000 to $4,000 year, in these wOrds:
"Rsolrd That in pursuance Of authority vested in the
Beard e Sup rvsOs there sha be allowed 10 each Of the
Ju,tces Of The Supreme Court OF this State 10 the First
judicial District compensation for their services Of oae
thousand Eve hundred dollars year which shall be paid
TO them qurely OF the County Treasury ~ each year
alter the lst day OF July. 1889
On this subject the Constitution Of the State has the
following prescription:
The Judges OF the Cou, Of Appeals and the Justices Of
the SUI me Court shall severay receive at stated times
fer their services ,nsatUn 10 be established By law,
ThfcA stall not b INCREASED or DIMINISHED daring hdr
COZ ffH0hce a. oFicc
This settles the matter beyond cay so far as judges
then in Office concerned Inrespect TO them the action
Of the Supervisors was palpably illegal and void So
well convinced Of this Judges Roosevelt and Edwards
that they have said word, in official quarters
about it. Judge Edmonds before he went South left
nipple order for some member of his family TO collect
the portion due him aceordng to the rescution) from
June to January but the Controller refused to pay it,
and nothing further has been done in the premises
Robert II. Morris, the youngest Judge. stands upon
a different footing He into Office after the res
luton passed and accordingly may claim exemption
from the Constitutional prohibition II the resolution
has any force at all it is in his case. and he may de-
mAnd the increased salary. But whether from fear
of the Controllers integrity and frmness, or from
some other motive, he does not 20 TO that excellent
functions for bis extra pay but attempts to esade the
City Charter, and get al the treasury by back way IN
spite Of It's legitimate guardian According to the
Charter no money be drawn from theCy treasury
which s also that ofthe Couny-without warrant from
the Controller, csuntersigned by the Mayor and the
Clerk Of the Common Council But there's an old Law
authorizing Supervisors levy taxes andcoect and pay
money, witch is still in force in the Country. Acting
under this statute surmode Judge gets his claim audit,
Cd BY the Supervisors and presents it directly the
Chamberlain or Treasurer That officer refuses to pay
Without the Controllers warrant and thereupOn Morris
resorts to bis associate, Judge Strong-who is under
stoodte be his family relative-fcr writ Of maadsmus
to compel the payment.
It's 90 ereditabet to the shrevdness ss it 10 discred
table to the aPrehtness Of Judge Morris that he has
thus lef the Controller out Of his proceedings Ger.
tainly he had been sure the claim wss lust be would
have gone to Mr. Flags with the Arguments 10 that =.
feet instead Of attempting to get around him and in
fact to remove him out Of the way Of the Aldermen
the esntrsesjobben md n ne other dealers /, p-he