Morning journal and courier., 1883-02-06
LOCAL NEWS.
Civil Service Reform

l Meeting of the New Haven Civil Service Reform AssoctatIon-Proposed Reform in the AppOintmentO of J udges-The Pro. bate System Discussed,
 There was quite large attendance at the
 meeting of the New Haven Civil Service Re- form association in the Insurance building last evening Resolutions concerning the ap- pointment of judges of the Courts of Com mon Pleas, City and Probate courts were adopted. A committee was also appointed to call the attention of the members of the Legislature to the subject and to urge upon them the need of immmediate action.
 The meeting was called to order at eight o'clock by ths president, Prof. Johnson T. Platt, and the association at once gave it's at- tention to the report of the committee ap- pointed to suggest reforms in the appoint ment of judges. The committee consisted of Hon. H. Lynde Harrison, Prof. Sim eonE' Baldwin, Prof. Johnson T. Platt, James F. Colby and William H. Law. Judge Harrison, in presenting the report of the committee, said that February 1, 1887, had been fixed as the date of the proposed reforms in order that the bill might not affect or incur the op- position of the judges or their appointees now in office. ''The general sentiment of the people, said he, lis that there is no part ot our civil service in which 8 reform is more needed. The next reform for 8 better sys- tenn of appointing city and State officers was deferred. It might seem out of taste for society composed almost entirely of Repub- licans to recommend any measures to control the appointiye power of Democratic Gov ernor."
 The following resolution concerning the manner of appointment of judges, recom- mended by the committee, was adopted:
 Resolved by the House of Representatives, That
 of the State when and adopted in the
 manner prescribed by the Constitution. shall teeome
 part thereof. viz: All Judges of the Court of Com mon Pleas District courts, City courts Police whose terms of office will commence after the General Assembly upon the nomination of the Cover nor in sucha manner as may be prescribed The following relating to the terms of office of judges was also recommended by the con- mittee and adopted:
 Resolved by the House of Representatives That the following proposed amendment to the Constitu- ton the State, which, when approved and adopted come part thereof, viz All judges of the Court of Common Pleas and District court, whose terms of 1887 shall severaIly hold their oces for the term of eight years and all judges of City courts Police shall hold their offices for the term Of four years
 The committee also recommended similar resolution in regard to judges of probate member objected to saddling upon the Governor the appointment of one hundred and twenty judges. Probate matters were bad enough, but such resolution wouIdsnot improve them. E. P. Arvine said that the other important reforms proposed by the society ought not to be imperilled by this measure He was not opposed to the spirit of the amendment, but he did not think it ex- pedient Judge Harrison said that there were many judges of probate who were we'll fitted for many of the duties of life, but who were totally unfitted for settling estates. They too often had confidence in the advice of interested lawyers. What the country people want is competent judge appointed for reasonable long term and who can hold court in the various towns in his district when necessary. He offered the following resolution as @ substitute, which was adopt ed:
 Resolved, That the Governor be hereby directed to appoint commission, who shall serve without pay, ascertain whether the present probate system can be improved and if so to report changes should be made to the next session of the Legislature.
 On motion of Prof. Baldwin it was
 Voted, that memorial be presented to the General Assembly recommending the adoption of such law as will make proved tness rather than party serv1- ces govern appointments to subordinate offices and clerkships in the various executive departments such law not to take effect until after the State election
 It was voted that the resolutions passed by this meeting be transmitted by the president of the association to Representative Law with request that he present them to the present Legislature. It was also voted that Judge Harrison, Prof. Farnham and MT. B. S. Wheeler be appointed a committee to ad- vocate their passage before the General As-