New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-06
THE POLICE JUSTICES BILL.
IT Is LIKELY TO BE FAVORABLY RE-
PORTED

MR. GERRY THINKS THE COURT or SPECIAL
SESSIONS SHOULD NOT HAVE APPELLATE
JURISDICTION THE NEW JUSTICES
SHOULD KNOW CRIMINAL LAW
Albany March THE Assembly Committee on
Cities gave "A nearing to-day on Judson Lawson
bill aboishng the present Board of Police Justices
of New-York City.
Elbidge T. Gerry the first speaker, said he APP
peared as president OF the New-York Society Tor
the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. lie said IN
part:
do not oppose the bill, but simply suggest TWO
5o a maR a hs tnm ESsns This 6
was prepared by distinguished citizens out Ine
diGicuty is that they do not understand criminal
law 4 subcommittee prepared ii. They have
done dangerous Work in trying to reform me
criminal law. There are grave constitutionai op-
jections this bill. but Will not speak OF them
The nomenclature OF i Is not good Ny hrst pro,
posal is to strike out Section 49, This bil does no,
simply abolish the present Board of Police justices
but II goes step farther i8 dangerous s direction
court OF appellate jurisdiction. Any error of judg-
G mgnt p G( GENERAL sessSns This bill insults Re
corder Golf and Judges Cowing. MARITIME and titz ,:
For instance the are not to have the right OF re-
viewing the commitment Of a child to cnar'a ,h
planted upon the Court OF Special Sessions all this
Court of General Sessions This is not all II at.
tempts transfer TO the Court of Special sessions
the jurisdiction Oi All cases OF fiiis'i'Heav
were 1900 of these cases last year. This PHI VIII
furnish enough work to this Court or Specal Ses-
sions to do without giving them any appellate
Jurisdiction. The judges of the Court OF General
Sessions have experience In criminal Jaw Ihty
can do work rapidly. But you ask untried judges
to do this work The Court OF General Sessions Is
always in session to take appeals. Children GER
tanlv should remain In the custody OF court pend
ing an appeal. There Is no necessity OF changing
the law in this respect
Mr. Cierry's second point against the bill was that
1t did not provide that the police justices should
be acquainted with the criminal law.
rs II not a presumption that every lawyer Is ac-
ouainted with criminal law asked Mr.. Pavey
mo. sir" answered Mr.. Gerry.
How many appeals in the case OF children nave
you taken to the Court Of General Sessions the last
five years." asked Lewis L. Deateld -,
Nine cases. replied Mr.. Gerry. but they an IT,
ferred 10 some important point 80, -, ,oo, s,h
Joseph Larocque said that the bill had peen sup
iected TO the scrutiny OF such lawyers as Jann'S
Garter william H. Hornblower and Others. iir naa
no doubt about It's Consttutionalty. lie 'ild Hot
think the nine appeals In five years 10 the court "i
General Sessions amounted 10 great deal
Louis l.. Delafeld argued that the propoSed So
ten OF electing police justices had proved an utiel
failure in William VI. Tweei's day and assureiN
would now ,,-,. -. .,,o
speoches against the bill. Assembymau fo!ey
moved that another hearing be given week rom
to-day This attempt To- prolong the ne OF we
hors and then the committee resolved - meet 10
morrow morning and take action on IN" n'a7u''.
The Indications that tn" hi VIII DE itN"tdpH
reported by the Committee on cities,
Mr IarocQuc and MIR D"lah"li VIII submit a -"
technical amendments tomorrow morning 10 the
committee They hope that the bill IL now IN %
shane in which II can h. passed by me Legislature
and NAV be signed by Governor Morton.