New-York tribune., 1890-07-13
GBF1T YEAR IN THE COURTS.

The importance of the transactions OF the
New.Yoril courts is increasing constantly.
summary of the most salient features OF the
vyorl, of the court year Just closed is published
in other columns of this mornings issue. The
interesting and significant character OF much
Of this recent adjudication is apparent. Many
novel o1ostjonS have been presented and passed
unoD The discovery of new uses for natural
forces. new combinations OF capua t0r cor
poratc or monopostic purposes, as well aS the
changing relations of social OF industrial orderS
70 ca,, other. have combined recently 90 create
legal controversies unlike any that nave DC
fore been considered by the courts.
The question Of the legality OF the corporate
combination known as " trusts has transcend
ed all others in importance W hIIe inns queS-
tion was before our courts the eyes OF the
civilized world may be said TO have been turned
UPON them awaiting with interest not
anxiety their determination. 1t was iortu-
nate hat the disposition TO be made OF thc
question, in the first instance, should nave
come before 50 able and strong a juriSt as well
9s 50 great master Of the best style OF Ju-
djciaI writing as Alr. Justice Barrett Inc
onjuiou which he wrote in the sugar Trust
case left I.tle to be added by the appellate
courts that affirmed his conclusions. 1t De
serves f. stand a. one OF the legal classics
Not only was it accepted by lawyers as a COM
pe;e demonstration upon the line OF legal
nrinciplcs of the iegality Of such combina-
tons. hut lis reasoning was so clear ana coIoh'
and free from technicaliticS a 10 carry conllc-
ton to every intelligent and unbiased reader
II is also extremely fortunate that from the
beginning with the trial term TO the final al
Grmancc in the Count of Appeals there has been
no voice from the bench dissenting from the
argument Of view expressed by the t1al Judge
II wo,lld indeed be well, both for the public
interests and the reputation and influence oi
the counts, if such unaEimty OF opinion
moro commonly obtained among judges me
frenuent reyersas on appeal and the resulting
delay and expense do much to discourage HI
oantS. and give them an aversion 10 setting
their controversies in tho courts. II may n'
difficult to devise remedy, especially IN We"
of the rapidity with which the business oI
olr trial courts is necessarily transacted. II
thn commission now consd ring the amendment
Of the judiciary provisions Of the state Con
s-itution can devise some method by WhIeh
causes shall receive in the first lnstance tha'
careful examination ard disposition that no"
can often be given them only in the afpoiiat"
courts. they will have performed erca' SER
vice to the people.
The commission will doubtless give con>'d-
orabc attention T. the question OF the roorean-
ization Of the higher courts Of this cry. h"
disadvantages Of the present Arrangement ar'
cvcryvhcr, rclt and admitted. There Aa' been
n Discrimination 20 Interfere with the j"n-'c-
ton or substantial constitution of the superior
or Common Pleas courts, and there j. Iiu"
probability that they viii be united with The
~aprcmc Court Bat a different -I>1om Will
doubtless be adopted which will distribute lu-
dicial labor to better effect. b.. for the
snccdier and more efficient disposition Of hil-
CATION Various propositions locking to THIS
end are now under discussion in the commit
tocs Of the Commission and some proposition
of reorganization viii doubtless hc submitted
to the people Crampcd and hindcrcd As they
have been hy their present difficulties, the work
of the Judges during the last year has never
theless been prosecuted with fathfulncss, in
duStrv and expedition