The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-19
THE roLrcr yus1rcns nrlI.


A Letter iron the Mos. Thomas r. Grady.
To THE EDITOR OF TIE SuN-Sr. viii you
kindly permit rs IN act Of Justice to Governor
Flower. as we'll as an additional kindness to
myself. place in your columns for this letter.
which lie intended to correct number OF mis-
statements by newspapers other than THE
Sun as to tho scope and purpose OF Senate bill
No. $685. which has recently become law by
the signature OF Governor Flower.
This bill has been referred to always as an
enactment to permit Police Justices to prac-
tise law In tho civil courts. and It has been de-
nounced unjustly as an act Of special legislation
dictated by Tammany Hall for my especial
benefit The fnct is that. by the approval OF
this act. Governor Flower has simply extended
to tho city Of New York the same law which
has always been In operation In all other parts
Of the State. This alone would afford ample
justification to Governor Flower. even IL the
design Of the bill was. as lite critics would have
1t, desire on tho part OF the Police Justices
who have been admitted to the practice OF the
law to engage In that practice in the civil
courts. There is certainly no good reason why
the Justices Of this city should not be placed
upon the same footing as the Justices OF every
other locality In the State Your contempo-
raries have overlooked or concealed the fact
that hitherto, In no other part OF tho State.
except In the city Of New York. hnve either
trial or committinL magistrates been dobarred
by any statute from such practice OF the legal
profession as their self-respect or strict pro-
priety would command. Tho chief criminal
Judge OF this county. the Recorder has ul.
ways had the right mot the privilege) of prac-
Using In the civil courts. and any right avaicd
OF bv 80 careful and punctilious n public SER
want would BIO accepted as iustiiable by n
community which. for half n century. he has
adorned by his taleptg n nd chn
But no such purpose and no such motive rs
have been ascribed to 1t stand behind tho hill
In question. 1t Is not only common Justice
and fairness to the city of New York. but it
supplies the only practical way OF enabling
the appointment of lawyers as Police Justices.
Under the arbitrary language of the statute
NO Police Justice sbal he engaged In any
pursuit connected with the administration Of
hibiton was to deter practising lawyers from
accepting tho appointment Of Police Justices.
Cssauss n they were Ter refused all
IN ~ me same way as has been heretofore per
mtted to their professional brethren in tho
have had before him trials as referes lie could
fortunate litirants involved were obliged to
undergo the delay and the expense Of u new
torney for an estate. and by mecepter ' nS an
IRointment he would be prevented from Hing
tne annual accounting of the executors. Or
litigation in his charge might have reached
that period when an H!lidavit Of no service
understood by lawyers was .cxacted from
ing the required Judicial ayerment to close an
uncontssted proceeding. Indeed. before Coz
sacrifice of many persons interests flat a New
York city lawyer could accept an appointment !
nsss r n'b.r tSs If engaged in any bull
mite TO continue in i even after his appoint |
ment But H. lawyer was aprointed his bust |
rs Nnt la.
it was under such circumstances involved in
was called from the active practice Of my pro-
lesion I.t to a nanc npon the bench as r"liro |,
tho efforts OF those whose interests w"r" inyu-
rlously affected BY the unjust im'i partial pro.
sion to the city Of New York of the snia. law !
tHnt has prsy.jed in ether "ts Of ne '.G
subject was merely to afford ma an oarogtu- |
nifty Of dealing Justly with the, Interests al /
This hiii WIS not intended to inrmit GA tho !
part vi Police Justices tho general practice of |
possSy INV tia that S se" ri IN" IS " an""t
from the fact that it contains the provision |
that Police Justices shall devote to,tGe bn-.
punic welfare shall Justify or demnn H''>' ''''
All tina, this ILL does SO faras Pni"e Justice
that It is with them that %n have to dealJ is {"
e asn tody hG may sy
opportunity to close. in m orderly manner
such bustness as was committed t" his care by
clients who should not suffer because Of his
ro!'ical nr"'erm"nt. an | t. engage in such
practice illustrated ty III" iiling OF an rxccu-
tors account would in no way tax his i'm
Partially as II man or his prnrriety of con-
Due, rs Jui,:e;, one other word, send YOU
this letter tor the reason that THE St-X has
treated this bin fairly. of the many metro
ro'itan journals. yours. has been the only on.
which has not undertaken t" sivo II character
To this bill far different from what was. in
tended Anticipated by its movers, Tus
Sun is the only critic that has not unhnrtakrn,
wit hout the slightest communication with me
and without fair opportunity for explanation.
to indulge in the harshest personal criticism
upon an alleged intention not formed by me-
but construction wrongfully given by the
critics themselves
With sincere gratitude for last favors. rer-
nit mo to subscribe myself. your obedient
servant. TuoIAs L. GRADY.
NEW YORK. May II.
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