The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-11
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THE BiR AsSOCIAJI COSfMITTEEf
STINGING REPORT
Accusing the sheriff. the County Clerk, anf
the Register OF Extortion-Thc Lawyer
Determined to Put u stop to the Abuse.

baa@'Wf4'r hah Nhas
Accusing the sheriff, the County Clerk, anf
the Register OF Extortion-The Lawyers
Determined to Put n stop to the Abuse.
The Bar Association Of New York last
night heard the report Of the committee ap-
pointed to take action with reference to the al.
legged extortons in the offices Of the Sheriff
County Clerk and Register. About hundred
members attended. The report Of the com.
mittee was read by Artemas II. Holmes. This
committee regretted that the task imposed
upon them had not been fully performed il
cons cquence Of obstacles encountered. Soma
OF those who had made complaints expressed
an unwllingness TO appear personally as com.
plainants Others had boon waited upon by the
accused officials and their friends. who dis
suaded them from prosecuting the charges By
promises OF reform. Some were afraid "a
appear as complalnants for fear Of injury to ths
causes Of their clients. The committee. however,
found instances Of grave Irregularities in ths
offices complained Of. In the Registers ofics
the book OF fees required by law to be kept was
found to be not kept in compliance with ths
provisions OF the law. The Committee exam.
ined 500 cases Of charges for services in the
Registers Office. where II was found that the
charges were largely in excess Of the legal fees
Tho Committee found in tho Registers oflcs
many fANNhoiNN tiHIktp anu llltkdl lfhtllcet.
or the Sherlirs office the Committee say thai
the extortions there are substantially admitted
and defended by the officials. who say that the
legal fees are not sufficient to pay tho expenses
OF the office. The Committee quoted n numbai
of cases to Illustrate the method In the Sheriff.
office OF making the expenses amount TO OK
actly the amount realized by the sale Of property
after the execution had boon satisfied. In on'
seized sold for $3.50 and the expenses Of tho
Sherin Office amounted to f55;67. In nnothei
aS pTopSr2 s6a q 4 ae Tc shd4 a2S
when deducted from tho ..2si 90. the exaS
charge for toking a bail bond was 81 cents.
but the usual charge was sll.75 Tho charges
| eXtorted from the unfortunate persons arrested
| when courts are not in session wero cordcmned
by ,he ,Commilteo a. Illegal yet openly ed:
| declared that he had discharged four mon who
| would not. In such cases. divide fairly"
Tho Ccmmltee condemned the Illegal charges
| oxtored from prisoners in the county iail. The
| records kept were found TO be quite deficient
| consisting In some cases of mere porpcndicu.
| lar ana slHntcndcular marks Kept on loose
sheets SO that they could DO readily DESTROYED.
| The Committee found some cascs Qf illegal
| charges in the County Clerks Office. Mr.. Gum-
| bleton wrote them number Of courteous notes.
| couched inlpol lished language. hutthe Committet
waited upon the County Clerk IN vain Tor The aid
| thGydesired in prosscu' ing their Inquiries.
The Committee had no success in tryina
| 20 get from the Comptrollerthe bills and month-
| y reports Of the County Clerk and Sheriff The
! King. John Kelly. told them. know what you
| want. and you can't have them and you shan't."
| subsequently the King added. " You can't have
anything without paying for it. aud that's the
| law" The Committee were willing to pay foF
the information. but could not get II. The Com.
| mitteo say In conclusion: And for reasons
| which Will be apparent upon careful read.
| ing OF the foregoing report and for rea.
| sons which your Committee in their discretion
! deem II uuwise at this time 70 state. your Com
mittee are Of opinion and advise that the resou.
| ton appointing them be amended BY adding tht
| following words:
That the committee he empowered and directed u
| make careful inyesugaunn into the management ant
conduct of the Offices OF the Register sherf AMI cer
Of this county aud the observances by said officials ana
their suhufdinaes 1 the provisions U tile law relating
said Offices and their ilcumbeuts and that said commit
tee take such action all most summarily correct thu
| abuses found.
In the debate that followed tho reading Of the
! report. Prof. leamnn suggested an amendment
| Ia the effect that the officials who expressed a
| desire 10 reform should not be- prosecuted.
Mr.. Ncamuus amendment was accepted and
| the report was passed with slight opposition.
! tho committee being fully empowered to pro-
| ceed with the investigation.