New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-04
4 cB1ycE FoR HONEST LAWYERS

Some feeling Of indignation has been
aroused among our friends of tho legal pro-
fessiOn by an expression which lateiy ap-
neared in these columns to the effect that
corruption of the Bench had i'll some measure
worked corruption of the Bar, and we nave
received and heard many strong demurrers 10
a general proposition whose truth we arc stlii
disposed to maintain We fully respect the
professional pride which rescnts such an az
sertion, and recognize these protests as hope
full indications that there IL some virtue SILL
extant in tho profession in this city, and that
the reform which We have urged 30
long is not without earnest and honest
advocates But every experienced lawyer
must recognize that protests are Idie ana
exposures vain if the gentlemen OF the Bar
do not act for their own honor and safety
and act promptly and fearlessly. They have
now the opportunity to make tho practlce
Of their profession free TO all men OF ability,
instead of having it practically closed to all
who are not venal and shameless; and # they
do not act with ono impulse and one ann 10
rid New-York of the Ring Judges and their
"Gratzes," they deserve the continued humiila-
ton of seeing few score of their most
corrupt members sell judicial opinions and
barter decisions like 30 much merchandise.
How this infamous traffic between Judges
and their friends and fellow rascals has been
carried on to the imp0verishmcnt OF unfortn-
nate ltigants, the corruption OF government
and the decentralization of the legal profession,
no balf-hedged lawyer in NewYork IL ignor-
ant. The TRIBUNE has spared no pans-it
has. indeed, spared no individual-to expose
the infamy. in the hope of arousing honest
lawyers to correct the abuse 1t continues
this labor to-day, and exposes in other columns
how the sale OF receiverships defeats justice and
corrupts Bench and Bar. The facts which we have
cited have been positive, and they have been
found to be incOntrOvertibie; there has been
no denial of any fact we have sald-0nly a
feeble protest from one Judge and an impO-
tent threat of Indictment from another
These facts were already well known to nine
tenths of the Bar of New York; it was not
likely, therefore. that we should be expected
TO heed the protests of the other fraction
While tbey "a members of the Bar remain
Indifferent to The work in hand, do their pro-
tests deserve considerations
They have now the opportunity TO be heard.
and felt. and respected A special meeting OF
the Bar Association has been called for to-
night, for tho purpose of considering the re-
port of the Judiciary Committee In relation to
the abuses in tho administration of justice in
this city. report will be presented stating
that the Committee has Trustworthy evidence
of the gravest abuses in Rcoeiverships Injunc-
tons, &c, and that it is intended to
take immediate action with the view OF
laying the whole matter before the Legisla-
ture. That there will be every effort made to
embarrass the action Of the Association by
friends of the accused PERSONS there is I'M
fortunately, no doubt; but it is hoped that
every member of the body who is in favor of
reforming the gross abuses and corruption
which now exist in this city will attend and
earnestly support any proposed measures
which will lead TO their correction. This they
can DO now, and successfully. The oppor.
tunity may not soon be presented again