New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14
EXPERIENCE OF THE LAWYERS.

A IONG-CONTINUED SYSTEM or UYER-CHARGES
Many lawyers were asked yesterday about
their experience knowledge Of excessive fees in offices
against which charges nave been prepared George W.
Parsons said that there question that the County
Clerk Register and Sheriff the habit OF making
oyercharges "ExtortlOnaie bills have been presented
to me- but refuse pay Them" be said, though many
OF my clients paid such oyercharges before knew Of
it. The shers officers order Of arrest IN making
attachments for the purpose OF exporting fees In the
case OF the explosion at Greenfield SOnss place. hum
Der OF attachments issued against foreign insurance
companies for the purpose Of making them trouble,
though they were undoubtedly thoroughly responsible.
The sherrs officers seized their furniture and books
and threatened 10 cary them away unless they wore
paid 90 much money which amounts the companies paid
rather than suffer the loss and inconvenience Of awaiting
the discharge o: the attachments. Large sums have
been collected in that way. Other instances might be
mentioned. but II is matter well known 10 all at
tOrneys"
Mr. Tracy, Of Tracy, omstead & Tracy, said L" The
practice OF Overchargng Is uniform Oue and there is
scarcely an attorney who does not know OF 1t from his
own experience. II is especially true IN the matter
OF eOnyeyanoing."
Paul Fuerof Coudert Brothers, said that his partners
and himself like all other lawyers favored reform in
the system but blame 10 be attached 10 tho
system which had been allowed up, than 10 the
present incumbenis. Ever since the Offices estab
ished oyercharges had been made. This came largely
from the desire Of lawyers 70 expedite their business aud
from paying clerks for the time they spent after
nSpFss t6ToaTk Register Office was three Weeks
In the sbeus ohice It was the same They also habitu-
ing the calendar, amounting 20 "a 90 year,
aud as il usually took three years 70 reach case the Zee
fee except for the time the case was actually tried
more They always got reduction when tney
opposed Oyercaerges bat II usually cost more
Tbe fact rs" SAID Mr. Fuller al these officers should
ba salared. Competent men could be gOt for salary
The incumhents claim, however, that Tor salary men
would only work the legal ofico nours-frOm to g.
There is no reason why the fee system should exist
ana the people could only content themselves wait
the regular course as Is done 10 other countries there
as. R,ker had never had any trouble with the
officials. but tue charges on searches In the ksgs
ters Once were greater than the law allowed. MI H.
Rker thought the Law should be revised as 70 Tees lie
favored salared Offices which should not be the
reward for political services
MAJ Parsons stated that they had nothing 10 do with
getting up the charges The present administration OF
the Offices as good 1t bad been Tor number Of
years and the charges ooud e no stronger than they
Controversy on tts subject, Judge CardLzO's time
but would take no sides to-day II tho matter were
TSs senior partner Of Broadway firm said that the
movement was gu honest effort ~ correct the abuses
would not II IL merely political movement.
ALLEGED 0VERO Ages IN BROOKLYN.
STATEMENTS or THE OFFICERS ACcUsRD-DEsIAIs
That ILLEGAL RREs HAVE BKES ExACTED.
There was much comment among Brooklyn
politicians yesterday regard to the charges whcn IL
s said are being prepared against shonf Daggett.
County Clerk Delmar and Register BARR, OF Kings
County them OF sKaoting fees In Of the
amounts authorized by law. No one however able
g speak with authority 10 reference 10 the matter and
the part Of those who converted the subject
appeared % think that charges seriously
templated. II generally conceded that, n such q
movement existed, intended for political effect,