The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-13
The Recorder OF the City OF New York.


There is one candidate for election next
month whose defeat would cause universal
rejoicing among the criminals Of this town,
whether they are in prison or at liberty. 1t
IL FREDERICK SMYTH. the Recorder Of the
city of New York.
Recorder SMYTH has won the distinc-
ton Of being the ablest criminal Judge
in this State. He is an ideal magis-
trate, learned in the law, Of long ex-
perience in its application to the Of
tenders against society, just in his judg-
ments, Of q strong and spotless character,
and a man who commands the respect Of
every one Who comes into his digniied
presence, whether he be honest or criminal.
He Is now the msinstay of the Court Of
General Sessions, and II by any chance he
failed Of reelection, and Mr.. GoFr should
succeed him, the loss to that court, the
most important In New York so far as con-
Germs the preservation of social order and
the security of life and property, would be
irreparable; for the candidate nominated
against him is utterly incapable Of filling
his place.
Mr.. GoFF has proved himself to be a clever
lawyer in the particular field In which he Is
INV Aiuk DSiOFo II LEAo" CUn1HllUUtc.
He has brought out his evidence effectively
and artistically; but neither there nor
at any time during his career at the
bar, has he exhibited the least fitness
for judicial Office. He is not a man Of
legal learning and he has not the judicial
cast OF mind. As an assistant In the Office
of the District Attorney he did not distin-
guish himself. In the trial of civil cases he
is known to every Judge before whom he
has come and every lawyer with whom he
has been associated, or has contested, rs a
man remarkable for his deficiency Of legal
learning and his inability to grasp the prin-
ciples OF the law. His practice generally
has been of an inferior kind, and his place
AT the bar of New York quite obscure.
The proposition to substitute such a man
for FREDERICK SMyTH "a Recorder Of the
city Of New York is preposterous. Mr..
GoFF has greatly and deservedly increased
and elevated the estimation in which he was
held personally and professionally, by his
management Of the cases before the LExow
committee; but his ability has been mani
tested In the mere presentation Of the SEN
sational evidence gathered up for him, In
chief part, by his associates, attor-
neys and detectives. He has shown
much acuteness in his perception of the
character of his witnesses, aud in his dex-
trous handling Of them, but he has not
manifested any Of the abilities of the high
order and peculiar quality required OF a
magistrate occupying the important place
of Recorder. II he were elected, he would
carry to the bench OF the Court of General
Sessions little Of the moral strength and In
tellectual power which Recorder SAYfH
now gives to it, and Of which II is in Inn
p~erative need.
Mr.. Corr is now In the place for which he
is fitted, and Recorder ShYTH is where he
ought to be, and where the citizens of New
York will vote to keep him II they have an
intelligent understanding OF their W well
fare, There never has been a man on the
bench In New York whose continuance In
his place was more desirable In the public
interest than Is that Of FREDERICK SMYTH as
Recorder. He ought to have the vote OF
every honest man, whatever his politics, for
the criminals and their allies will all be
against him as their most dreaded enemy.