The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-07-19

MR. JOHN M'KEoN's "PLAIN TALK" BEFORE
THE sURRooArE-GENERAL COMMITTEE I'M
FLUENcE WITH THE JuDIcIARY-MR. elm
TONS DENIAL AND THE sURRoaATE's BE-
BUKE
Tho will Of tho late Judge Connolly over which a
contest has been waged since presented for pro-
bate TO tho Surrogate, yesterday the cause OF
very spirited tilt between Mr.. John McKeon and Mr.
Henry l. Clinton representing the contesting partos
The testator. IL may be remembered left Mrs. Heaey,
his daughter life interest the residue Of mis- esnte
after certain small fegacios and requests had been
granted the title AT her death TO revert and not 60 to
her husband Mrs Heacy began the present action to
have the will altered but died during it, progress her
husband continuing the same Yesterday tho counsel
both sides appeared before the Surrogate mp
their casos
POWERFUL LANGUAGE FROM Mr. xKEoS.
Mr. Mckeon, in his address, said that Judge Con-
molly had been oil his earliest anu most devoted
friends that It was his mournful satisfaction TO have
boon ono OF the palbearers ut tho obsequies To the
child on whose behalf he had appeared he had the
most kindly feeling. The respect which hu had Tor
the father had descended to tho daughter and army
believing that she mad boon wronged no had done all
he could to sustain her rights in tho court He de-
sired to say that the arrogant style with which this
case had boon conducted on the other side had
aroused his feelings to such extent that he hardly
knew how 10 express himself The style in which the
case had been spoken OF, IS one without NOR
Its, as case whorewith tho time Of tho
Court being consumed, that there nothing to
justify this arrogant style except the that
the chairman the General Committee could hold the
idea that he was addressing Court that he supposed
was subject 10 that COMMITTEES. He appeared before
tho tribunal OF tho Surrogate in the full consciousness
that he would have justice for his client. and
ha vUtff In
and no would arouse this community, II he could,
against the consequences Of political power being
abled 10 ovcrshadow legal tribunal. All this he said
Ia rebuke OF the style which he had been addressed
during this trial In was the consciousness that His
Honor would not DO swayed In case that he addressed
him.
THg suRRoGArE's nHBuKE.
At the close OF Mr. McKeon's argument Surrogate
Calvin said:-"l dcsre, before counsel shall enter
upon argument for the proponent 10 say what deem
II my duty 10 say IN respect TO what have heard this
day. Tho incousiderate remarks OF the learned and
esteemed for tho contestant upon the subject
OF the supposed application by the senior counsel for
with his Court land partcuary as a. subseouont
stage of hts remarks he alluded to tho language or
Mr. Robert Emmet), seem to call for some notice be.
Uro counsel for prOpoucnt shall make hasy rejonder
IL seems 10 mo that tho suggestion that an
perenced aud reputable counsel SUPPOSE this
dence and law applicable thereto 10 calculated to
eDgcndcr suspicion that tends to parayze the Just
paraIity integrity and independence Of the judiciary
aud think that some OF the members OF the profess
sion, IN the heat OF dtScuSson are too prone 10 forget
that the dignity and good lame OF the Judiciary Of
paramount Importance TO nem as we'll as greatly do
pendent upon their conduct and that thoy cannot az
ford, for any consideration of success in particular
CASE to throw suspicion on tho integrity OF the Court
mako these remarks Tor the purpose Of reprobatng
habit OF ifppant imputations OF judicial Partially
and improper leaning; also IN the nope that the dig
nifty oil this Court may not suffer by personal alter
cation botweon such experienced and learned counsel
Let tho matter rest here"
PROTEST.
Mr.. MCKE0N-l desire to say that no man more than
has studousy stated that did believe the TACT
TO which have aliuded going to have any influence
with tho Court; that should 10 wanting In manly
feeling; that should be cowardy dog be recrc-
ant to tho imposed II did rebuke the
of counsel speaking he nad the OF tho
Court and was authorized to say there was nothing in
thu case.
Mr.. CLINrox-You have right to mako any such
statement You make II out Of whole cloth, and your
conduct 10 disgraceiul to the last degree.
The SURRoGArE-I shall insist order the dispo.
son OF this case. have stated all wish 10 say
think both counsel have seen enough OF this Court to
know that amount Of personal influence zeal
the part OF the press Affect this Court hair in
the administration Of justice. l hope shall never
have any occasion to rofer 10 this matter again.
Mr.. Mckeon having concluded his summing up. the
adjourned until the 23d inst, when Mr., Gin.
ton will sum up for tho proponents