New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-10
ant ought to understand clearly 'ha' HIS ''''
will he settled on its merits as nearly us '"'''
ANN u. osccrtoinod after thorough inquiry.
THE ADDITIONAL JUSTTCES

THE ADDITIONAL JUSTICES
The seekers after sn"cnres nave iliide II us
covery They have been readn. 'iie '"hS'''"
ton and the statutes with great care III SCARF"
for offices. At Il time when the people are de-
handing rigid economy ami the same service
frnm ottice.hoders rs other wagc-carncrs Civ"
70 their employers they are trying ny iorc'"
constructions and technical interpretations "i
the law TO find in every possible corner some
office to be filled which nobody else ever Defor"
dreamed Of as existing. Such industry -
hardly TO fail Of It's object. The spoilsineh nave
convinced themselves that after January 'h'
Governor is TO have in his gift no less IMAM
twelve new Supreme Court Justiccships. Ac-
cordinply n vast number of aspirans ami Il
vaster number Of their friends are h'nI
",loims" Politicians Of influence in different
parts Of the State are beginning I" '"hS"'r
Just where these places may best De n'S'oW'u
in order to increase theft power nj home 1h'h
they are seeking in their turn men "I sup
poscdly greater influence in the STATE III E'rse
for the sake Of having their recommendations
brought with more weight before the appoint
ing power
There Is no reason to suppose that JihiicEi
offices are 10 be placed at the disposal of MS
class of politicians On the contrary MT Mor-
Ton Is reported Ia have declared his ih'en'ioh
TO consult the sentiment Of the bar III inc us
tricis IN case he has appointments To make 10
the Supreme bench 1t may safely De ASSUME"
that the new Governor will select men OF the
highest character and ability for any such
offices which it may dcvolve upon him 10 MI.
Nevertheless II will not he wise to create
twelve new Justices In response To the he
mands OF placc-scckcrS. or because Of any legal
bubbles which they may raise The Kcpuo-
lcau party cannot afford 10 disregard the pam
intent Of the trainers ~ the Constitution ana
waste the peoples money by putting III once
Twelve Justices who will have no duties 10 per-
form for a year Not until the end Of 1870 do
the provisions Of the new Constitution abolish
ing the Superor end Common Pleas courts. do
ing away with The General Terms and rcpac.
ing item with the Appellate Divisions Of the
Supreme court 20 into effect. II was In view
Of these changes that The twelve additional
Justices were authorized. Until that time thcy
will have no functions To perform but If APP
pointed. would simply be- supertnouS additions
TO the present, judicial system. drawing salaries
from the State Treasury aud giving no ser
vices not already rendered by the present SUI
th, Supreme Court shall consist ~ the Jus
"iccs now in office. and IL The Judges trans
"ferred thereto aud Of twelve addi-
"tional Justices who shall reside In and BE-
chosen by the electors Of the several existing
judicial districts" Provision follows Tor the
election Of the successors II these first Justices
in districts which may hereafter b" created by
the LEGISLATURE. and dcsignatcs the last day ~
81
organization Of the courts T. i perfectly plain
that II is the electors ~ The several judicial
districts who are Ia select the additional Jus
tees and they may properly do II ~ The gen
eral election Immediately preceding The day
when The Few system goes into effect. MIR
Choate aud Mr. Root are understood 10 take
that view II the question. and The only reason
brought forward In opposition t.. that. ~ the
Constitution n whole i In effect after Jan
uary | next and ~ The law provides for III"
filling of Supreme Court vacancies by The GOV
ernor. # will he his duty to appoint men 10
these new offices which are created an1 ordered
TO he filled 10y the people
The Republican party owes II To ih" people
10 keep down expenses In every possible dircc-
ton consistent with efficient public service" No
saving could cause less trouble than that So.
cured by gong without oIIl''T~ WHO WIZ ""'
b. needed for Il year 10 come. owing I" The
hard times and other causes. the states III
direct sources Of income nrr reduced ana higher
direct taxes seem inevitable. 10 matter how
economical The administration ~ affairs may
be There are debts which Democratic rule has
handed down. and these must be- paid. and ia"
burdens are likely To be- heavy enough under
anv conditions Wantonly To throw an adii
tional tax 81 100000 on The people for twclv"
new and useless Justices would br a h"1rlcss
abuse of power. even II the power exists Som"
Of our best lawyers II does not exist. No such
thing was ever thought OF 10y the Convention
or talked II before election II Is only assumed
now i'm the interest Of office seekers. To crafty
them would be- to surrender 10 the demand for
spolls which no argument ~ 10 the Illness ~
ihe men selected wolld serve 10 excuse. Mr.
Morton has very properly invited the opinions
Of eminent lawyers rs 10 his power 10 make
these appointments. and no hasty or incon-
sldcratc action is accordingly imminent. The
Goycrnorclcct Is already showing sound pIac-
tIcal sense In his consideration Of the problems
which will confront them after New Years.
THE COUIVI or SHEEHIN