New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-10-17

IN their duties than they have been In the past
The Chancellor holds, in the case of the Me-
chanics' National Bank of Newark, which was
mined by dishonest cashier, that the directors
neglected their duties, and consequently can be
sued by the stockholders whose interests were
thus left unguarded. Bank cashiers will hardly
have everything their own way in the future,
and directors will be useful as well as orna-
mental
The decision of Chief Justice Davis and Dis
trict- Attorney McKeOn to summon Grand Jury
In the Court of Oyer and TeTminer probably
means thorough investigation of the affairs OIL
the City Government Grand Juries In the other
courts have too much other work on mana 10
give the municipal departments the scrutiny
which recent developments have shown that
they need. The Oyer and Termlner Erahd
Jurors, however will have ample time 10 make
thorough investigations. The unexpected order
for the panel in this high criminal court there
fore. portends no good to the dishonest men VINO
are employed in the various departments, or
manage them.
The iurors at the trial Of Mcnamara, the po-
liceman who was charged with clubbing to
death a drunken man named Smith, have
reached q remarkable verdict. The testimony
seemed TO show clearly that the officer was at
least guilty of manslaughter. Smith was too
drunk and too small to be dangerous to so large
a man as Mcnamara; and the latter had no
need to strike his prisoner at all. But nc did
strike him, and broke the poor wretchs head.
And yet, twelve sensible men find Mcnamara
guilty of only assault and battery The effect
of such a verdict upon the police force Is de-
noralizng 1t is direct encouragement to the
brutality which so many OF the officers, rom
the CAPTAINS down, think they have perfect
right to indulge in. We hope Judge Glider
sleeve. by imposing the heaviest sentence the
law allows, will do something to counteract
this scandalOus verdict.
The names agreed upon yesterday by the Citi-
zens' Committee for Judges of the Supreme
Court are good ones. Judge William u. Choate
is Republican who has shown ability at the
bar and on the Federal bench. He left the
Federal bench on account of insufficient salary
but our New-YOrk Supreme Court Judges are
paid three or four times as much. Mr.. Edward
Patterson Is Democratic lawyer of consider
able prominence, and although he has not been
tried like Judge ChOate, yet doubtless he would
make an upright and able Judge. Judge {. f.
Nehrbas. a German Democrat has already pre-
sided acceptably in the City Court the old
Marine Court, and there is no reason, so far as
we now know, why he should not have the posi-
tionagain. Mr.. Thomas Allison, the Republican
representative, is honest and capable, although
he is not man well known to the public But
in even discussing such names as that OF Police
Justice Murray for Register, the committee
made mistake. Such men ought not to be
nominated, and we trust the Republicans may
peremptorily refuse to consider any name OF
that kind. Without their support the action OF
the Citizens Committee will amount to nothing;
and the Republicans have right, when they do
not take the initiative at least, TO exercise
1icnrnnS veto.