New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-18
FEES AND ovERCHARGEs.
THE ACCUSED COUNTY OFFICIALS.

TwENTY-EIGHT LAWYERS RESPOND TO THE COUNTY
CLERKS NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF HIS ADMIN
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FACTS ABOUT EXCESSIVE
FEES
Elliott f. Shepard, Frederick Smyth ana
others expressed approval OF County OierA
Gumbleton's administration OF his ONCE
At n meeting of twenty-eght lawyers yes
terdav A committee of FIVE was appointed
20 investigate the office. 1t is alleged that
illegal fees have been exacted in connection WIN
mechanics liens and assignments OF Judgments
THE COUNTY CLERKis ADMINISTRATION.
SATISFACTION EXPRESSED At MEETING OF LAW
YERs IN HIS OFFICE-A COMMITTEE OF lNNEs-
LEGATION APPOINTED.
Tn response to the published request OF
County Clerk Gumbleton, twenty-eight lawyers as
sembed In his office yesterday, for the purpose OF IN
yestgatgating the rumOred charges ana TO make Iu
and impartial report Of the same" There were present
John H. Riker f. MoCahill, b. Alexander Elliott f.
sbepard representatives OF the firms Of MORRISON La
terhaeh a suingarn NJ s. & l. s. Isaacs, A. F. & W. H.
Kircheis Blumenstiel Ascher, and Morrison siger-
son A. NJ Petshaw, George W. POucher. Henry ii.
Morange j. NJ Fske, Francis II. Vanderyeer' George f.
Iapgben Charles j. Breck, James Wiley, Joseph Beues
helm W. McDermotr Francs Byrne, Memo Diefendori'
J. Walker Leonard A. Gegerich. John e. Brodsky' M
IT 1,,rran p. p Lee. o. s. X. Peck and Frederick
smyth.
llott f. Shepard was called upon to preside by H. H.
Morange. Mr. Shepard said that so far as ne was
aware the charges against the County Clerks ohceWere
rro,ndless my own relations with the office since
Mr. Gumbleton took charge Of It," he said have been
very satisfactory and II is evident that its management
has been satisfactory 10 the profession generally, OF
there would be larger number present to investigate
Nj Gumbleon has called u.s. and accordingly II remains
for us to comply with his request and see II there any
eause for complaint against him or his Office II there Is
any and II can be pointed out definitely Mr. Gumbleton
bo fho first Oup 10 remedy III,
most anxious Of any know where the abuse is, and to
correct IT,"
Mr. shepard then asked Mr.. Gumbleton to state why
he had called the members Of toe Bar together
Mr. Gunbeton said: " Gentlemen Of the Bar, my OBJ
iect in issuing public card-In making this call in the
most public manner possible-was to invite criticism.
II there is any reasonable objection made against me or
my Office shall most happy TO be the first to sustain
any action recommended by the Bar which is justified
by the premises There have been no charges AGAINST
me that cannot dsproye have seen suGa funods as
have appeared in the public prints ana teel IL my DUTY
as a uube officer to invite you 10 inyesugate tlem:
stand ready correct any abuses or my own knOWl-
edge know nothing MY subordinates and clerks are
honest capable and intelligent"
In tepiy to a question by A. NJ Petshaw, Mr.. Gumbe-
ton said no definite charges had been brought against
John TT Riker was called upon, and said that the
movement against the County Clerk struck him as per
sOna entirely, but that it seemed TO be good oppor-
1nitv to try for the correction by the Legislature OF the
difficulties IN the Office which gave rise 10 cOmpnc-
work in getting at facts He moved that committee OF
I'VE persons be appointed to make list OF improve
ments such would, he believed, remove any o1ecton
against the County Clerk. The money paid above
legal fees was to facilitate the business of applicants
Mr.. Petshaw wished TO have the COMMITTEE empow-
cred to investigate the affairs OF the County CLERKS
office. He did not know what the Snarge5 TS w, ;b,
ton said further :" Extra fees originated twenty-five or
heavy that some method Of expedtng business became
necessary know that before came into this once
make search. If any extra charges are made It GER
tainly is only with the consent OF the person applying
lin pf he Il ks
here long time have arranged the results OF ther e3
perIenee AID information into indces. In taking ad
vantage Of this knowledge, il only fair that an
attorney should pay something extra II the searches
were inaue as the -" !, t,To
clerks with their knowledge one side and the attor
eept those law allows Suggestions have been made
10 me In regard to the work OF TINS once Dut lhe
i SnanseSS PfOpO'0u '"OO'u 10 '''-l'''O " I'
Mr. shepard" The information which the clerks pos
sess is, understand arranged by them OUT OF once
hours and you, Mr. Gumbleton, have no money allowed
yoq Win when 70 [ng which Woud allow
me to purchase their information. They arrange 1t all
Frederick smyth then spoke at length, First he
sketched the history Of the office as II had been under
rSme under tie control Of Clerk Loew Of whom
Henry A. GumbetOn the deputy, all was confusion
IN me course Of long experience Mr. smytb had never
heard Of fee that had been PAID unwillngiy IL was
could be properly remunerated by the legal iees
ana have aiTSys concluded NJ sm5 ill., found the
eubOrdnates OF this office courteous. But may say,
and say IL with regret that such has not been the case
In some the other departments Of the city, when men
who are out OF Office were in This Is true OF some
OF the persons who are managing TINS move
ment. When Of them was Deputy Regis
ter he was VIGOROUSLY impolite. When ne was
in office mad a search made Whe the report came 10
me 4 saw that tue mention OF certain mortgage was
omitted. called the deputys attention 10 H. He called
M his subordinate who wanted 10 bet me 50 that was
wrong. did bet, Tor Pm not betting man. LETT
the papers so the deputy could have his own mistake
corrected Next morning sent for the papers ana ne
actually would let them leave his office until be had
been paid 25 for inserting mention OF that mort
gage When such in Office, the fees were about
double what they now
When Mr.. Smyth down be turned 70 the reporters
aud said, 90 mean John y. Savage"
j. NJ. Fiske offered the following resolution, which
was unanmOsly adopted. and the meeting adjourned
subject TO the call OF the chairman.
ResOiped. That IN the opinion Of the members OF the
Bar OF the City Of NewYOrk present at this meeting the
duties Of Mr.. Henry r. GambletOn. the present IN
eumbent Of the County Clerks Office and those OF his
RubOrdn8tes in the different branches OF the court have
been discharged in an orderly, systematic ana egal
manner, and with great pfOmptness ana urDanlty
The names of the Committee OF FIVE were announced
TO be Charles f. Strong, John T. Lockman, John H.
Riker, George +. Langbein and Richard H. Bovine
FEES ON LIENS AND JUDGMENTS.
BUILDERS ALLEGING EXTORuON, WHICH THE
tgIu pVN