The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-06-29
JUDICIARY REFORM
Lay Judges Praised at the
Commission to Revise
Our Courts.
PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH THE CORONER
Decided that the Name of the
Court Of Errors Shall Not Be
Changed.
PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH THE CORONER
Special to the Jersey City Neus.

TRENTON, June 90, 1s94.-The commits
sion to revise the judicial system of New
Jersey held its regular bi-weekly session
at the State House today. Much time
was devoted to a discussion of the cons
stitltion of the highest courts. Ex-Gov-
ernor Bedle. argued against disturb
ing the integrity of the Supreme
Court. lie was in favor of certain changes
which he considered would correct the
several evils complained of, but he
thought it would be unwise not to
preserve the constitution of the courts in
name. He objected to the name Superior
Court on the ground that it implied the ex-
istence of a still higher court, and that the
services of the ablest lawyers could not be
secured to fill its bench. Ex-Governor
Bedle would have the Supreme Court sit in
divisions in three different cities at the same
time.
The discussion took a wide range. At
torney-General Stockton speaking of the
Court OF Errors, said he had no objection to
us formation as at present. 1t was not the
lay judges that rendered it liable to criticism
but the law element on that bench be-
cause OF its relation to the judges be-
low; General Stockton spoke in
niSa PAoiSO VI ~ lay Judges connected WITH
the court OF Errors. He however, contended
that a Superior Court was necessary, if
the constitution of the Supreme Court as
already voted for by the commission, is to
be held good.
MR.. M'DERMoTT's BUMPS.
Mir. A. L.. McDermott said he was born
without the chronological bump Indicating
reverence n he had none for titles. The
DuSlneS OF this commission was to change
the Judicial system of the State because it
was bad. AS the courts are made UP the
Court of Errors is really the Supreme Court
OF this State. Herein this scheme to make the
highest court in the State its Supreme
Court is a chance at least to show respect
Moved Iop the that, English IN language He
Resort should consist of five Jus
tices instead a Chief Justice and four
associates. He commended That it would be a
difficult matter to get good lawyers to accept
an inferior position on the Bench.
Attorney General Stockton and ex-Gover-
nor Bedle opposed the change, as
our whole Judicial system was
and there we're many things in the statutes
which the Chief Justice is required to do.
Mr.. McDermott's amendment was lost.
Ex-Governor Bedle precipitated the long
discussion by moving an amendment to the
scheme changing the name of the court of
idS1 IeSoIt lTou Supreme COurG 10 It's pres
emit name.
Nc CHANGE IN THE NAME.
The debate lasted until two o'clock and
was participated in by almost every Com
missioner. 1t was not confined to the imme-
date question, but was most upon the
proposition to change the name of the pres
emit Supreme Court to Superior Court. Final
ly Governor Bedle raised a point Of order
that the debate was not on his amendment,
the question before the Commission and
a vote was taken on his amendment. That
was carried and the name of the Court of
Errors and Appeals remains as heretofore.
TO ABOLISH II CROWNER.
Mr.. Grey offered a proposition that
Supreme Court shall consist of a Chief JUS
tice and fourteen assistants, not
more than eight shall be of > the
some political party. Ten of the justices of
said court shalt be assigned by tine said
court to hold the various county courts. The
remaining five judges, not more than three of
whom shall belong to the same political party,
shall be vested with and shall exercise all
powers heretofore vested in the Supreme
Court while sitting in banc. Mr.. Carrow in
PRODUCED a proposition to abolish coroners.