The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-19


YoRK.-t is an indisputable fact that the Office
of Judge of the Criminal Courts is one of the
most importan. Offices in our city government,
and for the proper discharge of its duties re-
quires rare combination of gifts and an unusual
amount of administrative talent. In such city
as New York, where the elements of which it is
composed are go heterogeneous, and where, to a
certain extent, the habits customs and idiosyn-
cracies of foreigners are introduced, it is indie
pensably necessary that the criminal officer
should be acquainted not only with the mysteries
Of the law, but with all the phases of city life
and thus by long experience acquire the requi-
site discrimination to dispose of the multifarious
complaints presented for his adjudication.
Heretofore, men have occasionally occupied
this position who were better qualified to preside
over small tea party of garulous old women, or
q womans rights acknowledgement who dis
coursed like philosophers on the relative proper
ties of fruit trees but exhibited the ignorance of
babes when they attempted to disentangle the
knots of ingenious and unprincipled counsel, OF
equally ingenious and more INSCRIPTIONS rogues
Some Of Judge Russell's predecessors were
notable illustrations of this fact. They seemed
to have profound knowledge OF the benefits of
cold water, and embraced every opportunity to
enforce their peculiar views en- that subject upon
the unfortunate individuals who were arraigned
before them" talked temperance" to the con-
firmed topper with commendable zeal and took
occasion to enforce wholesome moral lessons in
the minds of the young culprits, which, how
ever appropriate in a country meeting house,
when delivered in crowded court room,
where it is necessary to try prisoners
with as much expedition as an ordinary
business transaction is effected, were pearls cast
before swine. 1t was really amusing to witness
the expressions Of sympathy and coincidence nv
infested when the various troubles Of aggrieved
old maids were poured into the ear to see how
implicitly were trusted the statements Of plf a.
bic and cunning rogues and to behold he
earnestness with which they listened TO the ste
reoiyped addresses of the loquacious and igno-
rant pettifoggcr.
But We congratulate the public on the se'cc.
ton Of q man, who from his extensive knowledge
Of criminal law and perfect familiarity with New
York, will discharge the onerous duties Of City
Judge promptly and impartially. Since Judge
Russell assumed his position-which is only two
weeks ago-over two hundred cases have been
disposed Of at the Special Sessions, and forty
jury trials have been held at the General Ses-
sions Almost the fret sentences pronounced by
him we're upon those with whose previous ca.
reer in crime be was conversant a. practitioner
at law. lie was especially severe on old offend
ers, frequently expressed his determination TO
proiec. the police in the discharge Of their duty,
and on one occasion resisted the most strenuous
appeals Of men who were instrumental in pro-
noting his election for tae mitigation of the
punishment OF we'll known barroom rowdy po-
litician. His decisions of mooted questions of
law have been impartial clear, prompt and con.
elusive; his charges brief, pungent, and To tn
point; and his sentences Just, severe, and Vt
merciful. conscientious firm. prompt and ur-
banc, be will do more during bis term TO wins =
cate the majesty of the law and to suppr. Sc
crime in our midst than two thirds of the Whole
police force Of the city. MY stars" said one
Of The attending policemen one day last week,
4" if Judge Russell goes on at this rate for year
he win render the police force unnecessary and
useless--my stars what are we coming tor