New-York tribune., 1881-11-05
JUDGE SPEIR's TERM OF OFFICE.

VIM
JUDGE sPEIR's TERM OF OFFICE.
STATEMENTS THAT JUDGE sPEIR HAS PASSED THE
AGE OF sEvENTY-AN ATTEMPT TO TALK WITH
HIM-wHAT THE PARTIES WILL Do.
A TRIBUNE reporter called at the house OF
Judge Gilbert NJ sper, of the Supreme Court three
times last evening speak with him in regard 10 the
statements that had been published 10 the
effect that his term of Office expired by
Limitation of age last year. Tho first time
the reporter was told that Judge spier had not come
home the second time that he had gone away lor tno
evening" the third time the reporter met Judge Spie S
he was opening his front door. He did not appear
pleased the reporter; he certainly showed no uS
position to speak on the subject of his judicial com
potency Before the reporter had put single question
the Judge nervousy Grasped the back Of char beside
him and said in agitated way:
"No sir; 1t is not time for me talk yet, and have
nothing TO say. have statement to make say 10
you the thing that have said to ALL that nave
nothing 20 say The time may come; mind say 1t may
come when shall speak, and then shall have some
thing say They're trying to prove these things about
me- and let them try It's not prOper for me now 10 say
what shall do, but when am ready then the newspa
pers will hear from me-"
conversation of several minutes elected nothing
definite from the Judge. He was not entlrey sc
possessed, and his manner closely appfoacheu angcr
when the conversation took the form OF an INQUIRY.
Judge Spier is of slight form, with hcaVy gray
hair and mUstache and very black, bright eyes ne
easily excited either on tnc DcncH nc ''
seem to be seventy years OF age lie mas alWays ocSn
sensitive this subject since his election 10 the bench
and few persons have ventured to approach INN on e
subject.
By the state Constitution judge Is incapacitated for
sitting on the bench after the expiration OF the year in
which he reaches the age of seventy. If, as Is now
claimed to be the fact Judge sper was seventy years
old year aOor If he has reached that age during this
year. another person can be elected TO ill his place at
the election next week OF course, whatever MS age no
adiudcatons that lie has already made VIII he lhNa
d4ta ba hos "a
aud has performed his duties as sucn FOr lae
he win he entitled to retain the salary ne
The Leaders Of the County Democracy have been en-,
gagged IN scheme to capture the important once ol
Judge the Supreme Court, TO succeed Judge Spcr.
Judge spiers certificate filed at Albany does not show
that is seventy years old. The leaders OF the county
Democracy, however, assert that they have had for
weeks information TO prove that Judge spier Is dsqua
cessor TO be elected Tuesday next Instead OF mpar
Ing this information TO the public and making noIha
tion for the Office the leaders of the County Democracy
concluded to m the place by stealth, without allowing
in the matter At the time of the County
Convention, II seems they decided to run Richard
O'Gomon for Superior Court Judge to succeed judge
0Gnr,o tickets have been printed for some time II
intention to rum the tickets out OF the regular
no opposton Mr. oGormon would be sure of his cleo
ton. The secret however, bas leaked out, and
yesterday the Irving Han leaders heard OF II, ana
thew Immediately went through the farce Ofnonlnaung
Mr. OGornan for the place claiming him as the candl-
date of Irving Hall John Kelly Is sad TO mediate
similar step In this however the County Denoc-
racy OutWitted Mr. Kelly and he cannot take up Mr
OGorman as he did John MckeOn and call him the can
didate OF Tammany Hall, without showing his own
weakness for Mr. O'GOrman has been an active member
OF the County Democracy and his tickets have been IN
the hands of the printer for two weeks.
However, ex-MayOr Cooper and Corporation Counsel
Whitney last evening that while II was very prObd-
bic that Mr.. O'GOrman would be nominated to-day Dy
the County Democracy, yet could positively
in advance what the action Of the County Democracy
would be- . 80
The Committee the organization Of the Iammany
General Committee. Will meet to-day at 43O m, 70
take action in this John Kelly said yesterday
that if 1ammaDy Hall should decide TO place
there would be ample time 10 print the bal
lots and fold them. The organization would obtain
the best legal advice TO whether vacancy actually
existed before taking any decided steps toward cecng
a successor The statements already made public Ger
tanly made very strong against Judge Speir. II
was incumbent on him 20 make whatever explanation lac
could 70 the bar and the public.
The subcommittee of the Republican County Conycn.
ton consisting from each Assembly District ana
the chairman and secretaries OF tho County Convention
appointed To I'LL any vacancies which might occur on tie
county ticket met yesterday and placed IN nomination
Judge Horace Russell as a candidate for Judge Spcrs
place 1t Is understood that Judge Russell VIII accept
The nomination. There some argument yesterday
over the length of the term 10 be filled. some hcd That
II was ouly MI the remainder Of Judge Spcrs term.
The majority, however that II was for the fun term