The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-08
THE RING TRIALS.

To TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
The proceedings recently had before Judge Hoge-
BOOM at the Albany Special Term, in the suits
against Tweed, Connolly and Fields, are quite in
accurately reported by the Associated Press.
The tendency Of each departure from the fact in
the published reports is to produce an impression
that the Judge entertained views adverse TO the
right of the Attorney General or the State to main
tain the actions at least that he expressed some
doubts upon the subject. Nothing was said In any
stage Of The proceedings which could In any degree
Justify either OF these differences.
The Judgment Is the best evidence OF the Courts
opinion. 1t was peremptorily adverse to the de-
iendants. Attempts are made in the reports and
otherwise to create an impression that II was
merely pro ,fO1Tt1. such Is not the fact. The
Judge dld, indeed, suggest in the course OF the
debate that the parties Tor the sake speed should
waive al discussion and submit to such pro rO,Ut0
'dechion as the Court might think III to pronounce,
1eavng 10 the defeated party his right TO appeal
10 TINS the states counsel assented but the de-
PENDANTS counsel pcremptory refused The Judge
was therefore, compelled to hear all that could be
urged ny counsel and to adopt one OF two
alternatives lie could spend much time and
labor in perusing the Multitude OF references
furnished to him, and thereupon deliver with his
Judgment, at some future period, as the result of
his Investigations, carefully prepared opinion IN
writing or he could decide the cases at the close OF
the argument in conformity with the Impressions
then resting upon his mind. he adopted the lat1er
course. No stenographer was present when his
lnIBinous, aDle and eloquent oral opinion was dc.
livered. This Is much TO be regretted, It's tone
and sentiment were most admirable. Ii evinced
the OF BELIEF That oficial corruptipp
was irremediable and neither On the merits nor
on any other point IN the case did 1t express or
give color for, inference that he entertained the
slightest doubt 10 the states right to recover in
the pending actions
The published reports OF these proceedings must
have been prepared by some person or persons IN
the interest or the defendants, ana PANIED OH upon
the press as genuine.
On the argument there was considerable effort TO
Persuade the Court that the counsel for the people
had manifested Inistrust Of their own POSITION or
lack OF confidence In It.. The printed reports now
" circulation IN the vein. Their object IS
tc create an impression that the Courts have
doubts.
This effort TO discourage the friends OF reform
Will fail None OF the states counsel have ever
entertained or intimated the slightest doubt OF
ultimate success: and no judge having author.
ity 70 speak In the premises has ever expressed
q doubt OF the States right 10 maintain the pend.
ing actions. False statements rarely ventilated
without some Infusion Of truth TO give them color,
and the reports In question framed In this war.
IL ~ In sor1e degree judicial habit 10 prepare writ
Ten opinions examining in detail the technical
polpts relied upon by the condemned party and
giving to each precise reputation, and II is true
that IN these cases the Judges have hitherto
avoided this lIDor. The language employed by
them in assigning reasons for this very excusa-
bic omission on their part affords the only color for
pretence that any OF them entertain doubts about
these cases. WHEELER II. PECKHAM.
NEW YORK. June o. 1872