New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-09

Albany aud against the Port Wardens ~ Charles
OConor and probably F. b. Cutting.
A DIrTIcUI1l EiIWTFN Two LAWilRs-P>ToL
AND SwORD-cANE BROUGHT ISTo RUQrIsITJON.-
Yesterday morning difficulty occurred in the Seconi
Dstricl Civil Court rooms, at jefferson Market be-
tween ex-Judgo Mech and Justus Palmer, lawyer
in which the pistol and swordcane brought into
reousiion but without serious results to either Of the
individuals. II appears that some mouth, ago. while
Judge Mech occupied the bench at this Court the
mi; OF Isaac Loedewck agt. Justus Palmer was tried
before him. In consequence Of some technically in
The case Palmer obtained an injunction restraining the
Judge in the matter: but the Judge alleging that he
never had a copy Of the Injunction served upon him.
made his decision rendering judgment against Palmer
for AGO and costs On the lst instant Judge Meechs
term OF Office expired and he was succeeded by Judge
Dusenbery.
Yesterday morning, about half an hour AFTER the ad
iournment Of the Court Mech aud Palmer me. in the
Clerks Office when the former asked the latter il he
had made certain remarks to his Meechs, inability
10 try case. Palmer evaded direct answer to tho
inquiry, whercupOn war Of words ensued in which
ench enumerated in plain terms the liabilities Of the
other This enumeration was accompanied with
prersion and ephet that mi ht have been considered
classical, but which tiiny not very elegant,
Palmer, being unable to restrain his anger longer
drew sword-cane and made demonstration Indicative
ofhis desire and determination to make hole through
the body of the ex-Judge.
William T.. Smith, jr.. clerk of the Court, sprang
between the parties, and prevented Palmer from per-
petratng such ali act. Mr.. Mech backed toward the
door leading to the Courtroom, followed closely by
Palmer In the Courtroom the angry discussion was
resumed. and the loud talk of the parties caused no
little excittm about the premises. Palmer
fourshed lis sword and made several thrlsts at his
adversary. Mech parted the blows, and drove
Palmer towared the ratings surrounding the
bench. when he drew revolver and fired
at his adversary. The pvrties at the time
were some three or four feet apart, and the
Judge being very near-sighted was in consequence
unable TO obtain fair sight at Palmer, to which cir
cumstance the latter s probably indebted for his life
The ball lodged in the wall near the bench. The mo-
meut the revolver was discharged, Palmer dropped as
if shot and those present thought he was wounded;
but before any could reach him he had entered the
iron gate, aud crouched himself under the Judges
bench. Mech still held out his revolver, and pointed
il towards one of the persons present whom he thought
to he Palmer.
Judge Dusenbery now came into the courtroom
and took the pistol from Mr.. Mech Mr. Palmer then
came out from his place of conccalment, and was re-
leved by Judge ID. of his sword. The room was then
cleared, and order restored. The affair created
little excitement about the neghborlood and was the
subject Of considerable discussion Notwithstanding
the nearness Of the Police Court the parties having to
pnss the door thereof in leaving the building, the
Magi-tratos were not troubled and il is more than
likely that the individuals in question will settle the
matter in some other manner. Had the court been
open at the time Of the renconter, Judge Dusenbery
would have inflicted summary punishment upon the gen
tlcmen but as the case stood he could take no cogni
zance.
The whole affair was ridiculous from beginning to
end and these members of the bar will now have an
opportunity Of seeing where the laugh comes in. The
cx-,Judge may thank Mr.. Smith that he was moi
skewered by the swordeane of his antagonist, and
Mr.. Palmer may in turn rejoice that his opponent
neGr-.ghtcd as otherwise his jacket might have been
perforated with bullet.
ArpoIsrNENrs.-The District-Ahoney has APP
pointed .James NJ. Sweeney, Chief Clerk; John {.
Lord in place of James W. Olson; James Healy, in
place of Ira Floyd. Mr.. Sweeney is brother of the
District Attorney. Mr.. Lord formerly member
OF the Sixth Ward Police. Mr. IIeay is relative of
ex-Aldennan IIcay of the Fourth Ward.
The judges Of Sessions make no changes in the
Office of Clerk or Deputy Clerk OF their Court. Mr.
Vandcrvoor has been in the Office over quarter OF u
century.
MERCANTILE BrsrsEss.-In the dry goods line, com.
paratively very few copartnerships were formed
on the lst Of January, and very small number OF
firms dissolved except as insoyents. The fact is sa'd
to be that the whole large proportion OF capital OF
l,te,p no ios fnu
months and the necessity of the compe.s such to
90 on in order to save what is left retrieve their
losses Landlords are unwilling to let their stores for
Il term of years at any considerable reduction, but
stores may be had at much lower rents than formerly
for period Of one year. As an index OF the state oil
business in Murray street for instance, between Col
lege Place and Broadway, there are no less than
dozen warehouses to let at the present time.
CoroREp Persons rN THE CArs-John W. Hunter,
coored residing at No. - Wall street, while ON his
WAY home from Seventeenth street with his wife aud
friend on Sunday evening lat, hailed Sixth avenue
car passing down at the corner of Sixteenth street.
Tie cur stopped his wife and friend entered. The con-
ductor. having first assaulted his friend, turned to
Hunter and ordered him off the car; and while Hunter
demonstrated. the conductor suddenly pushed him
with great force 80 that he nearly fell off In self
defense against this unexpected assault he struck the
conductor for which he arrested and held to bal
bv Justice Kelly at Jefferson Market Police Court
The Justice refused to entertain a complaint from
Hunter for the assault by the conductor. The case
off in the Special Sessions this Saturday morn
ing in Centre street.
LADIES DE,osiroRr RoBBED...The stoe No i3i
a..unipt tle Ladies' Depository, was