New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-28

mnstration Of law based upon the pleasure preuueS
and favor of the Judge For the encouragement Of VICE
for utter gard OF the rights ana liberties OF cuzes
for the prostitution Of judicial power to the demands OF
rough and lawless but politically influential popula-
ton and for appalling ignorance Of law and complete
abnegaion Of every principle OF justice or
OF statute that should guide and govern IN the rendo
Of iudament the minor courts declared by these
lawyers to begprecminent
AS at present constituted there are five Police Courts
TO fulh the functions OF which there arel nine Jusuo
Two Justices are assigned TO each court except III INC
Fifth District, which is presided over by Single ju
To facilitate business and 20 aid the justices III INC us
charge OF their duties there "a clerks and SIX
prefers Each police justice has Especial clerk" VINO
IS his cOnadant and Is supposed 20 act as his go
between In cases in which special attention Is demanded
and where the justice does not desire TO appear
The estimated expense for the coming year for salaries
Of justices, Clerks and attendants OF these courts ~
s2Oj70). Large this amount appears IL s sau 70 "
uncomfortable jim comparison with that eoeced run
fines which are unaecouated Tor WatIahi5 aIe ~ =,
quenty issued for the arrest Of gamblers ana keepers or
rich e arrest is concerted for the purpose OF extOrt
ng money. The victim, always anxious 70 escape allen
ton asks what sum is required TO avoid inprs0nmebo
suspension OF his business. THIS intimatoh uyaIi1
by meets ready pOnse the sum u set, pdlu, anu
discharge follows frequently without his appearance ia
court, or any record OF the 9rIest upon InV gDvhs
br,r,b he infoTvention of an influential friend
Scrutiny Of the records Of the courts Gwill show that
these fines are In most Instances marked reunited"
THE TRIBUNE reporter has Dech osSned that suc
ton or other competent official investigation to prevent
an accounting for Ike fines so levied ana collected;
The Police Justices usually elected from the dis
trcis la which they re ido, and arc nominated az tns
d tation Of mo men who attend and control primary
elections. Rival gangs OF "rOugnS" oppose edch otncf
iu the selection ci for uese positions ana e
dcucDds Of his supporters. With rare EXCEPTIONS these
Justices are uneducated men, nomnaly ilWyersj Dut
ignorant Of the elementary principles OF ter profession
Instances frequently occur where cOnpailta ht ~
been taken and either through neglect 1ntenOn the
cases have never been forwarded 10 the DlsftrAhVI
ncy Tor presentation 10 the Grand Jury. There are
certain class OF cases, such as cOinplih dssV Sil
bling houses and concert saloons, which me Ponce Jus
particularly eyerse to sending before the rahd
jury The influence the keepers Is 20 great packed as
10 Is by patrons and hangets-On tnat te JUS
men who among the most active workers III local
politics.
Most Of the commitments in the police courts art,
through intention q. ignorance, drIeCuEe lOophlie
tor escape thus afforded criminal winch ne tetuhy
ayais himself OF. The fact Is shown IN INC haDra2
corpus Which occupy 50 frequently the Afternoon Ol
through collision there seems no doubt Afef tle ula
and conviction of petty criminal the witnesses are Os
sight Of never sought for, and no ufther prosecution
follows Cases have occurred when notorious lnlcFcs
have been arrested charged with grand larceny After
The examination aud when the complaining has elt the
court the charge has been changed 10 one Tor peut aI
Cony, and sent - the Special SESSIONS rue erect u ts
IS 10 save tic criminal from punishment FOR felony aud
u case Oshi3 conviction subjects hm % imprisonment III
the Pcni,entiary ins.e cad Of the state Prison.
Mucn convictions occur In the Police courts ana the
n-OuCrs IRE sent 20 BackwelP5 Island the Justice mas
DO n TO order their discharge wish Ic Endorsement OF
one Ole the Commissioners OF Charities ani COrrecuOn
Where men are committed IN DEFAULT OF Du 10 keep tle
peace the Justice discharge them 20 any time, with
control over q vicious population, which many use iof
th3lr political advantage