New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-22
THE NEW POLICE JUSTICES.
ARE THEY ESSENTIAL TO THE crrYp
AN ARGUMENT IN THEIR FAvoR-FoR THE GOOD
OF THE PRISONERS.


OF THE PRISONERS
TO tAs EDITOR OF The Tribune.
Sir: l have been called several times within the
past few years to serve on the Grand Jury Of this
county, and that. whh my professional experience,
has given me some knowledge OF the workings OF the
business Of the courts. civil and criminal. have
noticed the criticisms the recent act OF the Legls
lature increasing the number OF police justices In
this Gty OF New-York from eleven TO fifteen, and
therefore ask that you give me hearing in your
widely circulated journal.
Previous to 1870 there were but Ave justices OF
the Supreme Court OF this county Manhattan Island
who in addition 10 their other duties, held their own
general tcrm-now there arc seven justices for the
Supreme COur. and an additional judge from Buffalo
assists in holding the General Term. The Legislature OF
1850 passed creating two additional justices
for the Supreme Court Of this county There were
formerly but three justices each for the superior,
Common Pleas and Marine Court NOW city Courtl,
there are six justices for csrh OF those courts.
The Courts of General Sessions were held by two
judges, composed OF the Recorder and city Jndge.
Now there four judges for these same courts The
business of the General Sessions Is received from the
police courts Many complaints which have &C.
cupied the time Of the committing magistrate are sent
to the General Sessions but, upon which, however,
no indictments are found. and such cases do not
further occupy the time OF the General Sessions Court
The Court OF Special Sessions Is held by three
police justices In 1870 riere were 1903 persons
tried In this court which held four days In esch
week Allowing six hours each day, there is an
average Of twenty minutes given for each trial. In
1888 there were 7j22 persons tried at this court,
held Ave days IN each week Allowing six hours each
day. this gives an average Of twelve minutes for cN
trial. The time Of the couN Is consumed In taking
testimony the for the prosecution ana defence
and In hearing arguments Of counsel for both sides This
IS not time enough for the proper trial OF cases 1h"y
bo and
SPACE OF time The justices frequently sit IN tho
Special sessions on the trial OF persons whom they
committed In the police courts. think this Is wrong
and contrary ~ the true spirit OF our Consttuton
In 1870 the population OF New.York County, Man
haitian Island, $40 COZ Now, l779, Il Is estimated
that the city OF New York has population OF 1000
OOo In 1870 there were Srragned 3,3f4 prisoners
IN the I'VE Police Courts In lsss there woro
arragncd s3,6l7 prisoners in the six Police Courts.
These courts are now held every day IN the year,
Sunday included
In 1855 the Ist District. TombS Police Court, had
1880 prisoners. The secord District, Jefferson
Marriott Police Court had 2O,Oss prlSoneIS-the same
computation gives about six minutes 10 each prisoner
The lid District. Essex Market Police Court. hal
81 .O)s prlsoncrs-thc same computation gives about
six minutes 10 each prisoner The lNth WS'pch
YorLviIle Police Court, had 1921 prisoners Here
allowed about ten minutes TO ench prisoner. Ihe
Vth lIallem Police Court, had O.O27 PRISONERS, who
were given about fifteen minutes each. Inc WIN
District, fremont Police Court had l,4i' pr1>Hhcr,
10 whom, II averaged a, 10 time, II would give abou
l IL hours tO each prisoner Prom the ln' s',ch
to each prisoner In the SIX hoSrs 1heFe uinS, DC s
ducod the Tine consumed 10 indorNnE Warrant MAJ
ing returns to writs OF h16ea> corpus, issuing
G9pe1ss S co s'S sbo a papg Wpoa
cases which properly belong ana are 10 oe 'ahe" "
1870 there nns police justices ;S:,s ard h eye
B BS's 'i is Il '9 Sa:SS .d e pI
deprived Of thk power In 1879, there We're eSESr
SsSS %e e0 o S1S ssgsn pole" justice. nH tie
Of SsS IsS . Gn%0IF s g. S 49" %
sub.ppcinct, to thirty five and one sub Preclnr,,
s e oNer ps O tSs city since The police
force IN November. 1s0@ was 2232 and In isSs ,i
business at the police courts should not be compn"d
to ,aS vel hs bong sss have ia 70 sS
The time the officers OF their po.'s attend
i"s Of 9"T time H RSE cs sn6o S be Sum%cd s
for which the criminal cloSsns are constantly on tho
sai,1onsi poe o't court rpOms "a is county
Informed noc person rs % S ddT pSeo A courts
snd cou Hq| Of special sessions city wE6 popas
lion Of 100000 is an sbsolnts necessity TO gire
courts Tho examinations IN important criminal cas-"
cannot be considered by he justice Will ,,o hrS az
These sm,ns tors must he hea during the on wc"t
or While .Se lsc Gons r .oG "t social
Sessions should however. be held daly and no iusEr
should sit on trial wherein he was the committing
magistrate. The police courts should be open from
a. No. for business and the justices should RkH then
sesis promptly al that hour and continue thelr session
until 10 m. and hold afternoon session from
to n. NJ II i question with m" ~ 10 wfeh~i
The appointments OF justices shall be nom tho Counes
Tammany or the Republicans. or who shah have
majority OF tho Board OF JustceS. Being RepubUcan
hoar parry wS SSp want + h Their there shan be- susicen
court rooms and justices. and that whoever AayOf
Grant shalt appoint. that the apPDnbes VIII AWAY |
be found at ilc conrts punctnaly. performing tSel
duties during the business horrS OF the day.
commend he legislature for pa sng. and GGvern't |
I'm for approving. the bill and hope that the M |
may hereafter 70 given tho reqniSlt" time for
their fair hearing, for that + duo 10 society as VOL
as the Individual. and that prisoner or unfoTuuai"
individuals will not b" hurTe into cells llLH pig |
into pens" Yours respectfully, -
SIMON STEVENS.
81 DroadxAY. Vow York MAY 90. 1889.