The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-16
THE BAR ASSOCIATION.
The Alleged Corruption in the Marine Court
What the Judges Have to say-Remarks
ofJudge Curtis-Quarrels of the
Marine Court Judges


The Committee appointed by the Bar Association
to hear any testimony that might be offered In re<
lation to the charges against the Judges OF tho
Marine Court met last evening in their rooms az
20 West Twenty -seventh street. The committee
comprised Mr.. Noah Davis chairman, Mr.. Town
send, Mr.. Oney, Mr.. Beall and Mr.. Sewell. Judges
Curtis JOachimsen, Gross and Shea were also
present, by invitation OF the Bar Association.
Mr.. TOWNSEND spoke in reference to the evidence
they had heard Friday last, and about their hav1
ing concluded to invite the Judges Of the Marind
be present at this meeting in order to heaf
any communications they had to make. He them
said that as Mr.. Noah Davis was present he begged
leave to retire from the position of chairman, which
he had held during his absence.
Mr. DAVIS then said they would be happy to hear.
rom the Judges.
Judge CURTIS arose and said that he had
received an invitation to be present ut
this meeting and out of respect to the Hight
standing and character Of the gentlemen comprise
Ing the committee he had concluded to be present!
lie, however, begged leave to state that as the
committee was unconstitutional body and had
no power to send for persons or papers, or to conn
pei the attendance Of witnesses, AMI ID was no6
clothed with the attributes ola
JUDICIAL INVESTIGATION,
he would not take any cognzance OF these proceeds
ings. The charges that We're made against hing
through the press he had answered by II demanG
Tor investigation before proper power and NJ
the proper time and place, and before the proper
body he would be ready TO answer any charges
against his judicial Integrity; and he further DEE
sired IL to be particularly understood by this conn.,
mittee that he retracted nothing that he had said,
written or caused to be published or printed rea1
tive to the subject now under consideration. H9
then added:-It III becomes me In the position :
and and before this body viii not under any circmml
stances stand as the accuser of any associate for
the reason already stated. ! shall always be happy
to confront any fabric or charge OF fraud that may
be created against me at the proper time and before
q proper constitutional body. Hf raa
Mr. DAVIS then said AS a matter Of course We
do not propose to exercise any power beyond our
jurisdiction. We understand that you decline to ba
present or to meet any charge that may come UP
before us as n committee
Judge CuRrIs-I think In all respect to the cons
mittec, as lawyers, they understand my position.
finger upon any wrong act of mine during NY
judicial career to do go, ana they will always fnI
ready at the proper time and before the proper
body to defend myself in regard to the administrai
ton OF Justice in my Office, and intend to establish
the truth OF everything have written or stated.
q. Have you, as Judge OF the Marine Courts
any charges or statements to make to this commit
tee A. 1t viii be observed, in answer TO that
question: first that am not member Of the Bar.
Association; secondly, that no charges have been
preferred against me and thirdly, as lawyer, II
had been charged win any offence, would mako
q. We understand, then, you decline to presen6
or prefer any charges A. cannot recognize TINS
u
q. We can only, then, examine what statements
are preferred us, and make up our charges on that
basis A. l am prepared to answer all charges at
the proper time and place; they will then be sted
and traced to their source.
O. Judge, some charges and statements have
been made against your action as judge a. II Ia
the duty OF every citizen to prefer any charges
against corruption In the Judiciary, ana when the
proper time comes will answer any that have been
made against me.
Judge Curtis then retir ed, bowling gracefully to
the committee and Judge JoACHIMsEN came for
ward ana stated that though as a matter OF course
he did not care to enter into discussion as TO the
constitutional authority of this committee, he
always prepared to answer any questions in regard
to his judicial career. and, therefore, he had come
prepared to answer any questions or give any ii-.
formation that they might desire
The substance of the statement made by Judg1
Joachimsen was that he had sat in General Term
stood that partisan attack would be made on his
action. When the case was heard one OF the coun-
es had he be s n1assea him. n
gave reference to my sonn-law aganse
the consent Of both parties ] think
It il necessary to give references, MS there is not
sufficient room attached to the Marine Court to en-
able the judgcsfo do all the work In regard to tho
statement made by Judge Shea, that charges were
to he preferred against all the Judges with refer
ence TO their having combined together for
CORRUPT PURPOSES,
do not know of any such combination whatsoever.
remember In March that an appeal was made be-
fore him in regard to decision made by Judge
Curtis and when the case came up Judge Curtis
was present in Court but from what had heard
that he had remarked about me ! did not care to
not him sit by either Of the counsel.
have never seen Judge Curtis intoxicated either
OF rough and abusive language unbenttng his
Official capacity az Judge. i have never heard that
Judge Curtis proposed 70 smash me. MI MOTHS
him to eight reference cases. Mr.. j. A. Godfrey Is
my broher-n-law, and he has likewise been
Judge Of the Marine Court has as much right to
order the trial OF by jury as the Judge of any
other Court l have referred cases to Mr.. Levi,
Mr.. Barrett. ! have known instances OF cases that
have been moved from one branch Of the Marine
Court to the other, and have always understood
that it has been done by order OF the Judges In the
suit OF Bell against Bliss believe Judge Curtis or
dercd the case before him. shall be ready at all
times To any charges that may be preferred
against me in my judicial capacity.
Judge GROSS then stated that he had never heard
of the combinations for corrupt purposes among the
Judges OF the Marine Court a do not wish to volun
teer any information, but shall be happy to answer
any questions When the of Beam against
Clarke came up beforeI me was told by Judge Cur
It's that the defendant was his
FRIEND, GODFATHER OR GUARDIAN,
and he asked me to do the right thing in that mat
ter and take care Of HIM eventually decided for
the plaintiff. Some few days afterward Judge Cur
It's said 10 me that he had TO pay the losses about
three hundred dolarsD Of the defendant out of his
OF the case Judge Shea stated that
Judge Curtis was rather irregular In his
years OF my ONCE have granted orders for about
nfty reference cases. have never seen Judge Cur
tbs intoxicated, Dut nave nearu ne made use OK
abusive language in reference to Judge Joachimsen
and myself | have also objected to the interior
ence OF Judge Curtis in the cases that have come
up before other judges. In instance lie vacated
order had granted about fifteen minutes after
wards.
Judge JOACHIMsEN then said that he had heard
Judge Curtis speak very unexpectedly Of Judge
Gross, saying that he had
GONE BACK on HIM
and had decided against friend Of his, and
he (Curtis) had felt compelled to pay the damages
out Of his own pocket. Judge Joachimscn also
stated that Judge Curtis had vacated order
granted by him In the suit of fopins against u
Manu.
Judge SHEA then made statement and the COM
mittee adjourned