The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-02

tnlngs TOT newspaper to point to; but
while there is work for humanity
of this or holder nature to be
done the HERALD will ever be found ready to
undertake it. and, we can assert confidently
find men of brain, nerve and courage to ac-
complish it.
The impeachment OF the Judges-Car-
dozo's Resignation.
For months past the public has been aware
that an effort was on foot to arraign certain
officers in the highest branch of the State Ju-
dietary for alleged Irregularities in the admin
istration of their Offices. The Judiciary Com
mittee has held an investigation in this city,
examined numerous witnesses and in their re-
port advise that the impeachment Of these
accused judges be proceeded with. Now,
when public official is charged on grave
grounds with dishonesty it is duty which
society owes to itself to have the matter in
veshgated; and, if man is guiltless the least
and further any and all scrutiny into his con-
duct. When this remark is applied to the
Bench it becomes intensified in all it's aspects
The administration of justice has been in all
ages of civilization looked on as something
requiring not only learning, keenness, grasp
and ability, but severe honesty, without
which all other qualifications were void
Without it the impartiality which decides
without false bias and on the weight of evil
dence clone could never be relied on. The
majesty Of the law becomes shrunken,
shrivelled lie where man approaches the law
courts with single shade of doubt Oh his mind
that any interest, personal or private or other
than that of strict justice may help decision
on his case. History has execrated the name
of George Lord Jeffreys as an unjust Judge;
and although his apologists have said that he
''could be honest in Judgment where he had
no interest to be otherwise" the very ability
for which they praise him on such occasions
makes the degradations of the ermine he
brought about in the State trials only the more
heinous. With keen sense of shame would
we be compelled to admit that judges in our
courts have been guilty of the gross irregularities
charged /; but since the accusations have been
made on the responsibility of SO respectable
body as the Bar Association it is matter
of necessity that the fullest inquiry be
made. The form of trial laid down
by the constitution is before the State
Senate as a High Court Of Impeachment. The
from its duty Of taking up the cases on the
Judiciary Committees report, and nothing
should be allowed to interfere with this right
full course.
The effort made by Judge Cardozo to resign
his seat on the Supreme Court Bench we look
on as singularly undignifed. The reasons
put forward in his letter of resignation are
fimsy even if put forward by him in good
faith, and will undoubtedly be regarded as an
attempt to evade impeachment. We cannot,
for instance, credit him with ignorance of the
fact that the inquiry by the Judiciary Com
mittee was only preliminary to the
impeachment which he refers to in the
latter part of his letter. His statement
therefore, that the investigation has been
closed, is petitio principH unworthy of man
in his position. The various attempts made
to introduce this resignation into the Assem-
Wy Will give COlOI W ucSlTc Ou TIE
part Of his friends to shield him from inquiry.
These efforts were properly frustrated and we
call upon the Secretary Of State not to accept
it, but to allow the impeachment to proceed.
The Judge himself would, indeed, do some
thing to correct the feeling to which this ILL
considered letter will give rise by Withdrawing
it and facing his accusers boldly in the Court
provided for the purpose.
1t is believed that the impeachment of Judges
Barnard and McCunn will follow, and we only
say, if this be the case, that the entire State is
interested in seeing that they have fair trial
The assertion that impeachments are merely
party malice is one to be expected under the
circumstances, and should have no weight with
men determined to do their duty fully and
fairly. 1t is part of their duty to see that the
Bench is pure, and they must remember that
giving weight to any political feeling in the
matter would only stultify the inquiry and
leave the matter worse than they found it,
The Mexican Revolution.
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