New-York tribune., 1879-12-10
R.R ASSOCIATION MEETING.

MOTION tn PAY THE MEMBERS WHO PUSHED TIE
CHARGES AGAINST THE COUNTY OFFICERS.
At the regular meeting of the Bar Association
last evening, the Executive Committee presented
the report of L. l.. Delaheld in the matter
of the prosecution OF l1tus d. Hiu''"s'
for disbarment After onumerating the Steps
,,ksp which resulted in Eldridge's suspension
from practice for three years. MT. Deiai'eiu '"''
that while tho court had treated the matter very
Ionien,lv under all the circumstances he thought
that the association might properly let tho matter
rest where il was unless Mr.. Eldridge should take
nm appeal Mr. Delateld was authorized by the
association, in case such an appeal was taken' 10
meet II by a counter appeal.
Artemus H. Holmes presented the report OF the
Committee on Extortions, which was engage q
during the Summer in an investigation or ahegeu
abuses in the offices of the County Clerk. Register
and Sheriff. The report went over the history OF
the proceedings, paying especial attention 10
the investigation or the Shcrlfi's office. George
Tcknor Curtis was sharply criticised because
he reported, as Commissioner, not only the iacts
which the inquiry brought TO hight, but also Is 10
the suiciency of the evidence to sustain removal
In conclusion Mr.. Holmes said that II all fnture
sherifs could confidently expect that exposures of
their methods would be treated as Commissioners
Curtis viewed their exposures, all reforms III such
public offices would be impossible.
The report was accepted, and then an animated
discussion arose over proposition to give TO the
Executive Committee power to pay in their DIS
cretion the members of tho Committee on Extor'
tions for their legal services. George d.
Lord. n member OF the Committee on Ex-
tortons said that he preferred that the
matter should be dropped. IL was accord
ingly laid over by motion. Then II was again
renewed. Charles Price said that there was no OBJ
lecton to paying the lawyers who served on the
committee for the services which they had rendered
in behalf of the Bar Association: But the objection
was made because il was well known that two
members of the committee had been retained as
counsel by an off who was appointed TO succeed
an officer who was removed. Everett /. wheeler
said that there great danger thar the
community would think that such inyestiga,
tions we're prosecuted from personal or political
motives and therefore ii seemed very unfortunate
that any OF the committee, while in the employ ot
the ASSOCIATION, should have received retainer
from any party interested in the result oil the hVes-
tigatiOn. -
Mr.. Holmes responded with some warmth. He
Thought il unnecessary that he should answer the
imputation of political motives IN carrying on the
investigation. But when one officer was removed
for disgraceful conduct exposed by the com
his place. 1t was natural and proper that
this successor should seek one of the members
of the committee as counsel 10 guide him In an OBJ
servance of the law; and IL was proper that he
should nay for this service Mr. Lord said that ne
had not received any counsel fee, but he Thought
Mr.. Holmes IN the right. After further discussion
the motion TO refer to the Executive Committee.
with power 10 pay, was carrieu.
George j. peet of No. "a Park-place, Julius >:
Lyons. of No. l40 Nassau-st.. George NJ. Baker, of
No. 90 NasSau-st., and Ernest Howard Crosby. of
No. 81 Pne-st.. were elected members OF The asso-
citation.