New-York tribune., 1885-09-20
MORE COURT ROOM NEEDED.
THE TRIAL OF CRIMINALS DELAYED.

JUDGES AND DIsTRICr-ATToRNEY ASK FOR BITTER
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE GENERAL SESSIONS.
The condition of the business of the District
Attorneys Office, as VOL the Inconvenience OF tho
arrangement of public offices in the brownstone
building aroused the Judges and District Attorney
to the necessity Of adding TO the present ac-
commodations OF the Court of General Sessions
AS the months of October and November approach,
the necessity Of some change becomes apparent
in those months the lower halls of the building are
crowded with taxpayers up in long lres and with
in their hands to pay their taxes Many OF these
taxpayers women. The handcufed criminals who
are 10 be tried in the court rooms above. and their
friends many of whom thieves and loaers the
corridors, and large force of policemen is con-
stantly necessary TO protect tho taxpayers
from insult and theft Nearly year
ago tho Grand Jury made presentment IN
which they commented severely the evils OF this ar
rangemen and requested that steps be taken to remove
the Receiver of Taxes to other oices. 1t was pointed
out that the Offices connected with the assessment and
collection of scattered that II neces
sary for the taxpayer to visit several buildings before
obtaining complete information about his taxes. The
officers who have prisoners In charge have com-
planned OF the danger OF attempts at rescung
prisoners they led through the crowded halls,
and said that 1t would be useless to attempt to
their revovers II such attempt made us the
halls were full OF respectable men and women.
Recorder Smyth said recently: al have cOncuired In
the views expressed by the Grand Jury when they re-
quested that action bo taken the whole build
ing for the of the Court Of General Sessions had
copy Of the presentmcnt Of the Grand Jury sent to
the Board OF Aldermen, and on May ii they passed
resolution asking the Commissioners OF thesnsng Fund
to assign other TO the Receiver of Taxes. The
Sinking Fund Commissioners referred the matter to the
Controller who has objected the ground that there
was no appropriation for securing additional room,
but this be obvated In the next budget Ihe ACT
providing the existence Of the Court OF General Ses
siTa' sSas when the the judges judges believe that the pub
lie interest require it, three parts OF the court may
the establishment OF the third part advisable u
be secured In which to hold the court. Ihe
criminal business OF the court has greatly increased and
additional accommodations are necessary AIN conf
dent that my associates would be willing, as am VIII
ing, work constantly in order to expedite the
transactions of business There are three judges aud
three parts OF tho court could well be Kept In operation
officers. assistants and clerks enough. so thai
IN inffs the expense @ of oft the court pToGeedi%ss"
Judge Cowiug and judge Gidersleeye have agreed to
assist the performance of the additional duties Judge
Cowng has alluded from the bench TO the necessity OF
some change. He said referring to some OLD excise |
diton of the calendar there to be much
sHs Se @ two part. suS9 OF
the court are occupied IN hearing prison sa. cases
and the bah cases are barry reSSned SO tnai the
think tins is standing rep'oach In tho administration
my time to the accomplishment Of that end |
crimnyls escape from punishment by giving ball In the
trial OF one OF the Stone Yard Gang last |
week Assistant Bedford brought out on
GamuatioE that or the defendants witnesses
was under indictment for homicide and also for bur
gaTy the first degree and yet was not IN confinement
Cases are frequent III which criminals have been re-
leased bail and before they could be tired they have
committed other crimes An enIploye OF the District
Attorneys Office said that there were between 5000
and 10000 bal cases awaiting trial ana hat the num-
ber was increasing ut the rate OF 200 year
Disrict-Attorney MARITIME said 81 had heard before
came into office complaints about the full |
pigeon-h0e OF the Attorneys Office, ana sai
to my self. They shall he cleaned out. But had not
been office month when found out the true cause of
the trouble Both parts OF the court were kept In
sion almost constantly one OF them not even ADJOURN
ing in the summer months. They could only try the |
cases In which witnesses the criminals were i'm
pri soned there relief except III the pro-
vidng OF more room, aud began to the establish
ment Of the thr part and in this the Judges. with
take upon themselves, have cordially supported the
plan" .
Assistant District-Attorney Bedford said: :" have |
considered the matter carefully, ana at |
least fifteen cases q day could he disposed |
OF In the new part that year tho pige0n.h1es
could be cleared II ntrusted by my chief with |
that part OF the of Office would guarantee
that in less time than that the work OF the oce would
be so proceeding that the rich criminal would have as
speedy justice as the poor man.
Chief Clerk Sparks who IN his twenty-five years cI-
perieBos has gained the most thorough acquaintance
with the needs court called attention TO the fact
that since 1861 there had been Increase In the force
Of 1udges. although the numbsr OF criminals had doubled
Every other department OF public business had accom-
mOdated itself 10 the increase Of population and tins
should have the necessary room to transact It's In
creased busuese,