The sun., 1892-03-18
Sam Jones and the Mugwumps.

constitutional amendment has been
proposed In the present Legislature which
provides for the abolition OF the Superior
Court and the Court OF Common Pleas In
this city. and makes the Judges OF those
courts and their successors Circuit Judges
to try cases in tho Supreme Court. but
without all the powers and functions OF
Supreme Court Justices.
We do not approve Of this amendment.
We think that it would be far better to leave
the Superior Court and Court OF Common
Pleas as they now nre than TO create body
OF judicial officers who would be in effect
subordinate Supreme Court Justices. Every
lawyer and every litigant who had his case
tried before one OF these Judges would feel
that he had not enjoyed quite the same
rights and privileges which he would have
enjoyed il the trial had taken place before
q Justice OF the Supreme Court.
But no more absurd suggestion was ever
made than the statement that the intro
duction OF this measure into the Legisla-
ture is due to desire on the part Of
Tammany to get rid of the present Clerk Of
the Court OF Common Pleas. The Ecenin0
Post Is responsible for this suggestion.
which 1t makes in these words:
1.-THE Court OF Common Pleas OF the city has and has
had for many years. chief ERIK. who is what all
clerks of courts should be. an able lawyer and honest
gentleman, Mr.. SANrrt JoSES Ever since TGmmany
came into power in 1885, has been making strenuous
efforts him in order make for OF tho
Honbles. BARNET. or NIKE. or DicK, or BILLY. Tho
Judges. to their honor. have steadily and sue.
cessfully resisted this pressure But Tamnany. flushed
with its recent triumph, recently made formal de-
,nand the court for his dismissal The Judges again
refused. and notice then served on them that a.
consequence OF their refrsai Tammany would abolish
the court. 4 constitutional amendment has accord
ngly introduced into the Legislature for first
passage aboshing both the Superior Court and Court
OF Common Pleas"
The character and ability Of Mr.. JONES
arc beyond rcproach. He belongs to a
family of distinguished lawyers. and was
himself for one term n Judge Of the Supe-
rior Court. After his retirement from the
bench he became ono OF the reporters Of tho
decisions of that tribunal. and few years
ago no was appointed Clerk Of the Court OF
Common Pleas to succeed NATHANIEL
JARVIS. Jr. Whether Tammnny has ever
made any formal or other demand
on the court for his dismissal. we do
not know: but we do know that the idea OF
abolishing the Court Of Common Pleas has
absolutely nothing to do with any act or
omission Of Mr. JONES. 1t originated years
ago. before he became Clerk Of the Court OF
Common Pleas or had any association with
it whatever. In different forms the project
has been before the Legislature time and
again. but it has never been received with
sufficient favor to be adopted.
We trust it may be rejected this time. not
for the protection OF Judge JONES. who
must smile at the idea that an ancient and
historic tribunal is to be destroyed just to
put him out Of the way. but because we
think the due administration Of justice in
this city can be better maintained and pro-
NOTED by keeping the old courts in exist
ence than by abolishing any OF them.