New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-05-29
JUDICIAL REFORM.

BAR ASSOCIATIONS.
An adjourned meeting of the Bar Association
was held at their rooms last night Mr. T1lden occupy ing
the chair by special invitation. On taking his seat MI
Tden spoke as follows:
GENTLEMEN: I congratulate you on the sunstanuai
nrorress which been made in purifying the
Everything which the beginning OF the late legislative
o ser before Yourselves as practcable-eyery
tbnS which YOU were aferward encouraged 70 under
take-has been accomplished You asAea lor an ih45
into abuses the administration OF Justce iou nav
Ia an investi gation-patlent and thOrOugh-during
seven weeks-in sessions continued from ~ III ne
i until late AT nghtcarTied IN the presence OF tne
rHed and their counsel 10 is the inquiry could
only touch small part OF the eIlls-tnG seSo ASS
presented by you. But every Judge against %o you
made charges has been put on his la except one WIZ
fed from the ordeal. ~. A.. ,,o.t, .. -.
which this Association organized III was ON feD y
1870 when the shameful peryerons OF Juulcia loG IS
and judicial power that characterize Iooy VIZ u
The Eubc mind and the corrupt Ogarchy whose tools
these Judges were seemed to gu eAIMoheu over tno
II il VIII do ITS duty itself the Bar can do every
thing else have reformed constitutions, 10 Gan
of Justice made pure and honorable" -, ~,
Barnard do not share the fears when nave been e1
pressed in the public journals as to the result fHSG
know that in the Investigation "len e1enueu 10 az
the witnesses the accused desired 10 produce ana WIZ
ful examinations, there was developed more I'M
peachable matterten times oyer-than eau ne lOuha IN
the eight principal cases OF gudlcal a. .
resulting IN conyctiOns-which have occurred IN ,ls
country secondly: believe that the eaihg mem ets
the Committee OF Managers VIII ilth,uIy prosecute
the trial Thirdly: have the most absolute confidence
whom the real burden Of the trial will fan
/ respect the sentiments OF my brethren or the Bar
which demanded that should continue still further my
connection with the movement TO purify the JUDICIARY
mean OF course, one OF the managers OF the IN,
peachnent for you all know that would not nave acted
as COUNSEL While did not feel at liberty, ny my own
act TO withhold any service which you thought c0uid
render to the great REFORM my opinion nheis soneNA
from the public impression. The great WORK OF lNes
CATION of collecting evidence, and OF securing Sufficient
concurrence aud cooperation 70 put te gu
which has been an immense and dihcult laDor-ls
done. The gentlemen whom met In conference after
everything had Deeh cOhpeteu eAce 10 ueCluo On eno
form OF procedure, when consented 10 Impeachment
instead OF removal by concurrent resOlutlon-and sec
several OF those gentlemen preSent-W remember that
then stated my difficulty IN engaging In prolonged
When the choice of the managers came to be made
did feel called on 10 enter into canvass or 10 form
combinations In everything else mad felt 10 my duty
TO exercise all foresight ana every care and to exert
whatever power possess TO organize sueh elements as
could found for good ends In this felt entitled to
leave every human being in the Assembly 20 his pOn
taneOus action. If | should receive honorable dis
charge had right 70 accept 1t. cannot DO accused
of eelfshness If did so with delight. One only
remained for me-that was 10 look after the choice OF
counsel. communicated what seemed To be, In the ac-
tual circumstances the best 10 MI AVolu
and met his prompt and cordial concurrence
OF Mr.. Van Colt the senior member OF the Committee
which represented you the Investigations, need not
speak. The eminent Jurist with whom he VIII De aSsO-
cated-Judge COmsOck-wlll bring to his duty great
abilities. ample stores OF learning and an honorable
pride in restoring the OF the Bench and the Bar
OF this state remember with what solemn earnest
he said TO me, several years ago, tat We cOuld
never the Judiciary OF this district until we had
II DO not see that Justice will be likely fail that
the trial is be conducted in the light OF open day. with
the eager scrutiny of the Bar OF the State and country,
and the eyes OF watchfu, apprehensiye, and
somewhat distributing people.
While what has been done toward purifying tho
Judiciary is lust congatuatiOn. you will appre-
cate the difficulties through which 1t has been obtained,
has failed IL is known 10 you that when consented TO
20 to the Assembly 1t with view 10 the Judicial
reform and certain other measures particularly
interesting people OF this city; and that in that work
| expected the cooperation in the Legislature OF Nj.
feaed by subsequent events. believed that it was
necessary to concentrate myself upon very few meas
ures in order to accomplish anything.
The general decentralization growing Of the civil
war paper money had produced widespread effects.
this city had its origin partnership of plumber be-
tween men nOminaly OF different politics. but in fact Of
lions throughout the State In both parties and in both
branches OF the dominant party which possessed
to the SYSTEM that the Capitol should be surrounded by
atmosphere Of corruption. The ambition OF some had
dressed by making legislative business profitable and
the golden showers had sprinkled benefits in every
part in the saturnalia, were content TO be
| silent spectators or consentng witnesses 1 never
for moment supposed that the knife and the cautery
would be agreeable remedies that the silent partners
of prosperous criminals would fall in love with those
whose duty is to detect and TO punish know there
FORE that Instructions, under every preext be
at every step. and to be overcome. Let thank
here faith that II the Bar this city
and State will be united and persistent. every Judicial
reform In respect 10 men aud IN respect 10 systems will
| be at last successfully achieved.
Mr.. Tden concluded with stirring alluslon to the
young at the Bar for whose sake especially he said
he had been willing to undertake the arduous abors
through which he had just passed, in order that they
who after him might hnd in their profession
career and renOwn worthy of their talents.
He was frequently applauded during the delivery Of
his address
1t expected that the Judiciary Committee would
present report OF their proceedings III relation
charges against the corrupt judges OF this city, but Judge
Van COt behalf OF the Committee, said II deemed
advisable by them to defer their report until the pro-
ceedngs in the Of all the accused have been
brought TO a conclusion. Mr. Peckham read "a letter
from the Board OF Managers appointed prosecute the
impeachment Of Judge Barnard nclosng "a preamble
and resolution inviting the Bar Association to aid the
Board Of Managers by counsel otherwise the
cution OF Judge Barnard, they may desire.
A DEN OF THIEVES BROKEN UP.