New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-27
REFORMS ACCOMPLISHED And NEE

REFORMS ACCOMPLISHED And NEEDED.
The retirement of George II. Purser ana
the fight of GratzD Coleman, which we an
nounce this morning, are natural consequences
of the agitation of the Street-Opening frauds.
1t began weeks ago, and has only just now
really eliminated in the destruction of a sys-
TEN which has become, principally through
the agency of these men, both odlOus ana
oppressive. Both were officials whom 1t Is
not cruel to say the city can well afford to
part with; neither had single idea OF the
obligations of Office or gave serious
thought to interests which were not
personal. One has escaped with
large amount of money, but is cheap rid
dance at any price, for, well-meaning enough
in his innocent days in the city, he was Sc
duced in the end to consent to profit by judi
cial patronage-the lowest sort of prostitution.
The other so far recognizes the power Of
public opinion, that in resigning he surren-
ders (what indeed he never had a chance of
securing) his immense fees, according to Ring
calculation, in many scores of undertakings.
The city may be none the richer by Coleman's
flight, but the taxpayers Will be largely
gamers by Purser's resignation.
Let us look back for a moment at what has
beenjdOne in the matter of Judicial Reform, OF
which these incidents are part. The re-
moval Of the corrupt Judges is the least part
of what has been gained, for had they re-
NAMED they would have been pOwerless
through timidity. We have reformed the
Referee system, and brought it back to very
nearly its original purity. One of the suryiv-
ing Judges of the Supreme Court injudiciousy
attempted to conduct the reference business OF
his court for the benefit of his former partners /;
but single pointed allusion to his practices
served to correct the error into which no was
lapsing There is nothing the Bar and the Press
are more jealous about than this same system OF
References, and we have no belief that there
will be undue Partially and excessive allow
ances for years to come. Half-hedged year
hugs of the Bar need not expect hereafter TO
be wholly supported by references. The same
may be said of the correction of the abuses in
the matter of Receiverships. There are no
such windfalls nowadays as McCunn and
CardozO and Barnard used to invent for their
friends and confederates; and they will starve
at the law who depend upon favOritism here
after AS for the Street-Opening Commission
erships, taxpayers may rest satisfied that the
abuses which we have exposed are practically
at an end. 1t is one of the most important
reforms, brought about in the most summary
and effectual manner.
And now there remains untouched unex-
posed unrefOrmed, one of the most fragrant
OF all the judicial abuses. There can be 10
hope, no certainty of securing justice in this
city until the present Police and District Civil
Courts are reformed out of existence, and
better ones, with restricted powers and ADLER
Judges, more wisely and carefully chosen, are
provided That is an immediate task before
this people and the NewYOrll Press, if they
would secure the honest and strict enforce
ment of the criminal laws.