The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-04
OPENING OF THE NEW LEGAL YEAR
Plenty of Work for Judges and
Lawyers.
THE CIVIL SUITS AGAINST TWEED
Motion Made by Counselto Vacate
the Struck Jury.
a FIELD DAY OF PRELIMINARY SEIRMISHING.


Thore was busy day yesterday in all the various
branches Of the State courts it being the commence
ment OF the work for the new year. All the Judges
were promptly in their assigned places evidently
freshed after their brief holiday respite and lawyers
carrying hugo piles of legal papers, were thick as
leaves in valambrosa." feature in the opening
of the courts for the year the entrance upon
their judicial duties of the newly elected Judges
Judge sandiord Of the Superior Court who takes the
place Of Judge Freedman presided in Chambers. His
courteous and dignGed bearing On the bench com
mended him most tavoraby to The Bar. He heard and
decided various motions with alacrity and clear
ness showing keen appreciation OF the points in
voved. Judge Van Hocsen, who takes the place
Of Judge Loew in the Court Of Common
Pleas, presided at Trial Term, Part !. He was
indicted to the bench by Nathaniel Jarvis, Jr,
the Clerk and after the roll of jurors had been called
and fines imposed the dcnquents, called the calen
dar He accommodated several counsel by postponing
their cases. but stated emphatcay that he should not
do so again in the future, but gave lawyers to under
stand that their cases must be ready for trial when
called He entered the rerial Of the old case OF
Davis receiver, Brown which occupied the en-
tire day. He has fne presence, easy, graceful man
ner and rich and sonorous voice, and presided with
marked dignity.
by Tilden OF Judge Larremorc, OF the Court
of Common Pleas hold Supreme Court circuits and
Equity Terms during the year This assignment meets
with general approval both among judges and lawyers
and is regarded as deserved tribute the faithful
scientious and able which Judge has
discharged his duties during the past i've years
more was elected in tho fall Of 1869 TO his present
position and has nine more years TO serve NO judge
has worked with more carnestness and his de-
Appellate courts Prior to his elevation 10 the Bench
his name was more Intimately associated with our edu-
interests than that of scarcely any other public
He was a member Of the Board OF Education
1861 to 1864 and from 1868 to July 1870 and,
during the last eighteen months Of his connection with
the Board was its President He also a member
of the Constitutional Convention of 1867 and
served on the Committee ON Education and
Literature. His new assignment not only
broadens his field of duty and usefulness but will
will enter on his assigned duties on the Isl of next
February Meantime he will sit as one of the judges OF
the General Term OF the Court of Common Pleas
Taking circuit OF the various courts in session. the
opening of the new year developed no especially i'm
portant cases on trial. excepting the Tweed civil suits,
which up for trial before Judge Wcstbrook, and
in which, will be seen by our reports elsewhere the
day was wholly occupied by preliminary diminishing
without reaching the merits OF the Judges Davis
Brady and Donohuc held the Supreme Court General
Term. There is very heavy calender IN this court,
comprising $50 cases which 81 are non-enumerated
motions SO preferred causes and the remainder
the usual motions on appeals Most OF yesterday was
occupied in hearing an uninteresng argument on an
appeal from order denying motion TO vacate
attachment In Part 3, Supreme Court, Circuit, held
by Judge Lawrence there was no case Of any special
interest Judge Barrett who presided at Supreme
Court Chambers, heard usual great variety Of con-
dieting motions The only one Of special importance
that to vacate order of arrest against Charles
Brink The allegations that two years ago he
failed with liabilities OF 81 TOO 600, and assets; that
nve days before his failure he borrowed SIS 600 OF
Punch, Edge Co., ship brokers OF this city,
stating that with this sum in hand he cond
get out Of his financial embarIass menis, and that
he did not for this purpose but appropriated the
TO his The allegation of fraud was de-
Med with the counter statement that the money
given him for the purchase OF bills OF ladng ana was
used Judge Barrett seemed TO think IL worth while
TO give the case special examination, and SO took the
In the Superior Coart General Term, Judges sedg-
wick, Curtis and Van Worst presided They heard
several cases argued but involving cases of special
interest Judge spicr, who held Part 2, Trial Term,
heard an inquest and started the trial OF case, when
Juror was withdrawn aft e which ns The Court Court
Justice Monell the trial OF rather an interesting
case was commenced. The question involved
the title Of some ss7 600 worth Of real estate. Hugh
Mcpurlan left It seems, viii bequeahng his prop
erty in trust TO his brother, with whom he had been
partner business to support his mother and sisters
and son until the latter became OF age when he was
10 give him 81 600 all the residue OF the estate going
10 the brother II is claimed that the testaor at the
time OF making the will was imbecile both in body and
mind and that he had ADMINISTRATIONS as to the egt
suit contesting the will and Will probably occupy sew
era days
Chief Justice DAILY and Judges Robinson and Larre-
more presided at the General Term OF the Court OF
Common Pleas They occupied ali day hearing
arguments on appeals but there were no cases Of par
tcular interest AS already stated Judge Van Hoesen
held Part l, Trial Term, Judge J. +. Daily held Cham
bers, and special order issued creating extra
trial term and assigning Judge Van Brunt to hold it.
The three trial terms OF the Marine Court were hold
respectively by Judges Shea McAdam and Sherden,
Judge Grepp sitting at Chambers The last two
named Judges are the newly elected ones and could
hardly have entered their judicial duties with
dignity If they had been veteran members Of the
Bench
All the Civil District Court Judges were promptly in
their places Judge Callahan Of the First district in
which court there Is more business than that OF any
other judicial court 10 this city, assumed his judicial
duties with the and grace OF practced jurist
Judge Flanagan, the able and popular Judge Of the
Tonth district has had such lengthy experience the
Bench that Of course the opening OF the new year
brought TO him no embarrassment. II was with
Judge Clancy. Judges Parker Campbell, Dinkeu, Ged-
ney Pinckney, Kelly aud MCGOWAN Will rapidly ac-
ouire the case OF experienced jurists.