New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-18
YOUNGER MEN FOB TIE BENCH.
THE ACTION OF GOVERNOR BULKELEX AP'
PRovED-RAILRoADs scRAMBLING

u..o. Fob II (specaD.--The appointment OF
FrsderIc n Hail. d Stratford to the superior Oourt
bench during the past week, is looked upon VITA sa
favor by the lawyers of the state, ana lhuioSVeS
no,,cv which may be further pursued by Governor
pukeey in the direction Of reorganzing the ehiei
courts Of the State with mon who are younger anu
rhvs,cally moro capable than the present judges.
nrassnt the court consists Of eleven justices. fvo
on tho Supreme and six on the Superior oehcn-uho
sunrems justices sitting in Superior Court sWhen
necessarybut movement is on foot to increase 'no
number 10 thirteen, the dockeB being greatly oFeI-
crowded OF these eleven, six are rapidly apprOaeh
ting the retiring age of seventy and court mas 10 90
postponed or cases frequently allowed TO 80 uhtreu
because of physical inability Three, including CHER
Justice Park 20 off the Supreme bench by hm'auoh
Of ago or expiration of term during Governor
Bulkeleys term and It is probable that Judge Phelps
win rcsign This leaves practical reorganization OF
the bench Of the state in the Governors HANDS ana
II Is regarded by prominent lawyers as one OF inc o
difficult problems with which he will have 10 deaL
The eghtyears term Of OF the judges leaves them
at such an age that they could serve only poron Oh
the terms before the ago limit reached and place
In the hands Of the Governors successor, possibly
Democrat a larger number OF judicial appointments
than has been the portion Of a Governor to make
Consequently Governor Buckley has been urged 10
appoint 10 all judicial positions within his power
men who can serve the full eIgh. years terms
This would have the effect OF bringing new man
10 the tceship as the Supreme Court Judges
average over sxty-fve years Of age Any appointment
which Is not for the full term would be considered
temporary makeshift For the Chief JustceShip
there is a movement for the appointment Of Judge
Nathaniel shpman of the United States District Court
for this State. lie IS about sixty years OF age OF
robust mental and physical powers. and would be an
honor to the State besides being able TO serve eight
years without having reached the age limit For tho
other vacancies on the bench always remembering that
the Judges whose terms expire are candidates for re-
appointment, John NJ Hail. Of wlndhan; Edward W.
seymour, OF Iltchheld; silas Robinson. Of Mddleown
and Charles j. Cole of this city are most frequently
mentioned These arc all comparatively young mon,
ard should Governor Buckley make his selections
from among them the bench would be materially
strengthened.
The proposition TO pension judges after the exrira-
ton of their terms has met with moro general oppos
ton than anything which has yet been brought before
the Legislature, and is likely TO fal OK adoption.
The battle Of the giant railway corporations LOT me
practical possession of the railroad business ot the
State has gone on very briskly the past week. tho
Hoosatonc road apparently having the best OF II thus
heard In It's behalf but merely as an obJeet9r 10
tho plans and purposes Of Mr. starbuck and colonel
Stevenson The merits OF the fight have not yet been
probed 70 the depths.
Nine bills for ballot reform are before the Legislature
and the hearing which was 10 have begun On Wednes.
day has been postponed ono week There is a. yet
no distinctly focused measure upon which the fight
win rest; but the legislators have provided them
selves with Hwigmore Ballot Reform and are
studying the question.