New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-04
MEN AND AFFAIRS IN TOWN.

The late N. Henry b. Sands had a habit, when
engaged in thought, Of elevating one eyebrow 10
curious fashion at least half inch above the owner
IL gave an odd effect his face making him look as
IL in a state Of great internal amusement. IL must
be the case that the photographers camera always
set the Doctor thinking, for his photographs IN
variably represent him with his eyebrow cooked aofI
As It was not natural expression, except under the
mental condition known abstraction the conclusion
Is inevitable that the leveiling Of camera at. him
made tho Doctor reflective.
Two eminent lawyers OF this city, both Of them
recognized leaders OF the bar. sitting togcther
in an elevated car day or so ago coming down town.
One OF them had recently been in Washington, ano
was giving the other account of his visit Dd
you see the Chief Justicel" asked HIS friend yes
was the reply, 81 was at an afternoon tea at hrs.
Thingamy's and they brought him over and pre-
sented him 10 mes 1t would appear from this thaS
in ne arstocracy of the legal profession New York
lawyer of the first circle ranks the Chief Justice
I am told by farmer who sends rom three 70
five loads Of produce to the markets In this city every
week that there Is class Of men who lounge around
IN. markets ostensbly 10 assist the farmers, but
really TO prey on them These people have legiu-
mate function. We're they really TO DO what tney
are ostensby there for they would stable the iarmors
horses carry their produce to their customers sas'
care for their wagons, and, In general, MAKO .chi-
selves useful But in practice, according 10 my
farmer friend they arc little better than backma'ers
They do absolutely nothing to earn their fee, but they
are always on hand nevertheless to receive It, II Is
81 and whether they do much nothing. whether
they show up" at all not Except for the purpose
OF receiving this money, that dollar must be paid.
II 1t Is not paid the farmer who ofends them runs
great risk. The next time he comes In he has an
unhappy time Of II. His harness Is stolen, his wagon
is liable to injury and sometimes his horses famed
ing and igQ
sure as fate. This sort Of business demands the at
tention of the police II there is any class Of men
who should be we'll treated by the city It is that
class which brings its food 10 its doors
1t IS scarcely supposablc that D. Lowber Smith
can cnert ain any serious idea Of holding on to his
office after May I. The contention that the section
OF the Consolidation Act which determines his 0ccu
pancy Of the department is unconstitutional has
about much bottom TO II the learned point that
tho city has never had legal Board Of Aldermen
since 1872 When the Court Of Appeals threw over
the claims OF ex-Mayor Edson's brother-in-iaw, Mr.
Wood to the office of Corporation Counsel, 1t did so,
not on the ground that Mr. Edson's appointment OF
Wood was beside the letter of the law, but on the
ground that even # he did have, according to the
strict reading Of the law the power to appoint, yet
the Legislature did not intend 10 confer such an
authority. The Legislature, said the Court, never
do foolish ard unjust thing as to give
outgoing Mayor the power TO tie the hands OF an IN
coming Mayor and on this ground they dismissed Mr..
Woods claims. II Mayor Hewitt were TO attempt
on December 10 to reappoint Smith, or to appoint
anybody else he would have violate not only this
principle which the Court Of Appeals has declared to
be conclusive but he would have to override the very
letter of the law 1t now stands as we'll smith
Will hold on until the 30th day Of April. and then
no will 60 And an enormous gang Of County
Democracy heelers will go with him.