New-York tribune., 1871-12-18
LEGAL CORRUPTION.

GET RID OF THEM.
The articles which have lately appeared in
TIE TRIBUNE on the subject Of the Gratzes appear
TO have created a profound sensation not only among
the individuals who have been concerned in the wrongs
attacked but generally among the members Of the bar,
although need hardly bc said that the latter In no wise
partake feelings OF the former The legal proiesaoh
encouraged by the exposition OF the abuses IN qesuoh'
are recent in regard thereto, and ne" ana haerant
instances OF the daily coming to hight seVera'
lawyers with whom TRIBUNE reporters nave coh'erSe"
expressed themselves IN strong conmFndatioh VI '"'
work which TnE TRIBUNE is doing and in eonde
Of certain Judges and the sentiment seems TO pre'a
that the facts already published fully substantate the
charges made and that the made ont Is snhcieh
Of itself to authorize the removal by impeachment OF
otherwise, OF the judges who have been guilty oi su'n
gross abuses Of power 1t il generally agrecdas charged
By THE TRIBUNE-that the corruption Of the behch mas
worked certain extent corruption OF the bar ana the
public "Thc knowledge having gone abroad" SAID one
gentleman, that IN order 10 win ones case, one must
seek rather to gain the favor Of the judge before whom
his action bc tried than to present Just ease TO the
Court, it is but natural that such irregular aid an
'Gratz can give should bc sought" One OF the conse
qucnces Of this state OF things s, that reputable lawyers
have suffered from gradual, but sure, decline
Of their business for clients will not employ al attorney
however competent he be- who has not the favor OF
the Court. of much Importance was lately begun
in the wherein counsel Of good stand
ing employed both sides. But there beng some
do"tt IN regard To NE influence hey possessed ruth INC
Judg1 before whom the action brought, IT was ar
ranged by The plaintiffs, after consultation tiata certain
lawyer who had been Senator aud was known to he
"Giatz," should bc retained. Accordingly depltaton
called at the ltcrs Office and made known his DESIRE
l.,t' rut/
sorry cannot accept yeur pEer; you are little t"o
late hafe Just been retined By the oersde Lawyers
by submitting they have done for years To tle hcRa
and dishonest practices Of part OF the b,nc'' nave
brought their heads deserved retrlbuon ior Ill
stances Ike that inst related are of daily occurrence
Many instances have been gwen wherein an UNJUST
discrimination the exercise oi the discretionary power
Of TN, Court has shown by certain Judges To the
detrment lawyers Who Known to have gwen ther
aid the movement nting made for the reform oi hc
judiciary II is said that some of those VINO nave
particularly distinguished themselves III this respect
Will obliged to abandon the practice Of their probes
sion in this city, should this movement fl ana the
opinon il general that professional virtue and judicial
vice are now locked in deatl-Tappe III tins city.
| The Information at hand leaves no donbt that 'he
final struggle will take place at Albany Oh the meeting
OF the Legislature The actionHof the Bar Association
las been very quiet hut that organization has not been
idle III the collection OF proofs Of Judicial c"rrup.on
which VIII be furnished the Legislature III due Time
These are a. disgrdrcui 10 the Tninany lu'cia! "n me
cncnir. OF ,ilainy couli wish them T." he.
some little prejudice appears to exist IN certain quar-
ters against the Bar Association, mainly from the snsl-
cion that It originally formed on IN" basis "i " MT
| tun Animation Society" by persons who cohsIdelcd
themselves sucriOrs Of their professional iethreh
| Those however, who have observed aud appreciated
its proceedings, particularly "i late, VIII p"hay so'h
be satisfied that intends 10 carry ont the 'htf purpose
Of It's organization. stated in Is opening address ito
hmm iufri
| the action of Bench and Bar. to the prolcs-
.ion." Since it, organization 1t has been coI-
| sfantly receiving acccssi"ns to iiS ranKS' mostly
| OF the younger members uf the profession. who
have gwen yigor to the measures devised 10y the Wis
dom Of its elders. Not long since the Association al
poutrd Committee investigate alleged "Nt"rtioh~ cf
various officials, the nature Of which Committees report
was foreshaowcd III THE TRRrSE OF the lith inst me
appointment of this Committee wa strongly opposed ny
severnl-anong others, by one who Is known to bc the
private counsel Of ncerain county Olela but tie VIZ
nc ot the Association sufficient to frown down thls
ATTEMPT 10 conceal the Iso,ds Oi The oheIt III qucs-
| tlon.
| Tie Judiciary Committee was instructed to investigate
the ,aiy corruption brought against certain oi our
iudcr The resolution passed on the lH of Sovoraher
mad special the abuses rractccd in regard TO
referees and receivers shown by the letter from
the Chairman Of the Committee appointed for that rur-
pose, which wal published IN THE TKIDrNE on that sub
icct The Committee the Revision of the Law WAS
also to prepare report the ady stability Of
procuring legislative changes III the Code OF Procedure
the Association holding that the present code cOnfcrs
TOO large Discretionary power on the judges.
| and "A patronage in the appointment OF re-
| celyers and referees, and III the granting Of
commissions and allowances. the exercise Of chieh IS at
least dan0frOus It is understood, too that some ac-
ton will taken limit the exercise of what is known
IA tr Dnrte business that which may be said TO he
transacted between the Judge and the counsel on one
NV hp otll lp
denied power tins respect which IL exercised hy our
local courts 10 the injury many the absolute
defeat of ustce for IL is well known that, in cose-
| quence Of the issning of njunctions and appointing
Of receivers I ar clients frequently prefer 10 yield to
unjust demands rather than have their property placed
in the hands Of men who appointed and allowed to
| take possession without giving adequate security,
merely because they the "Gratzes OF the court.
| An apt illustration Of the evils wrought in this way IL
furnished by proceeding now pending III the Supreme
Court 10 wind up the affairs of an insurance company,
wherein a friend Of the judge who granted the order
fr arte was appointed receiver of t3OO worth OF
erty and although 100000 thereof United States
bonds which could lie disposed OF in five minutes. the
receiver gave security only in $4,000.
These subjects with others have been well considered
by the Bar Association and It is understood that is
preparing bills with view TO reform the practice in all
these respects and TO remodel To some extent our judi
| cial system.
As the Legislature largely enlisted the side
there ia to hope that the abuses which have 80
long made justice a mOckery and virtue ridicule will
be swept away forever by the awakened honor OF the
community Certain newly elected members Of the Leg
,sture have assured the Bar Association that all the
tormatory presented by shall receive prompt
| VII roma