The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-31
BIG PAY FOR THE RECORDER.
A BILL PENDING TO MAKE HIS
SALARY $4,000 A YEAR.

the Attaches of the Court Are
Thoroughly Incompetent and Unat
10 Fill Their POsitiOns-Loose
Methods in Vogue.
New York, March SO.-The Senate ju-
diciary committee, appointed 10 make an
inquiry into the causes of the pending bin
10 increase the salary and powers of the
recorder began their work in the judges
chamber in the new criminal court build
ing to-day. The pending bill proposes to
make the recorder the presiding judge of
the court of general sessions and increases
bis salary to $4,000 year.
At11:20 o'clock Chairman O'Connor call
ed the committee TO order and announced
the object of the hearing. Judge Cowing
said on behalf of the general sessions,
we shall offer every assistance in our
power to aid your investigation. We are
in sympathy with the purpose of the in
quiry and hope you will go away with
knowledge of the true facts. We hope
you will hear all that is to be said on both
sides"
Recorder Con- was then called to the wit
ness stand and sworn.
Chairman O'Connor questioned him.He
was aselzd to give his views of the court Of
general sessions. He said: well, sena-
tors, / wish to say l have learned for the
first time this morning that there has been
a chief justice of this court. That posi-
tion was occupied by Recorder Smyth, but
not by Judge Cowing, as he states" Judge
Cowng denied that he had so stated.
The witness continued There has
never been amy statute, never any ruling,
10 fix a chief judge of the general sessions.
1t has always been an assignment of
custom, have long been convinced that
the attaches of this court are thoroughly
incompetent and unfit to fulfill the duties
of this court. There has been no order,
no discipline. They are never found on
duty. They come when they want to,
and go when they want to. The ap-
pointees of each judge consider them
selves independent Of the other judges.
There are no hours of duties
There has never been any rules of the
court. The lawyers practice in amy part
they wish," the witness continued.
when a motion is overruled in one
part a lawyer can go to another judge
in another part. There is absolutely no
rule governing that. There was such a
case last fall" The witness then cited
the case.
Mr.. Goff said Il became convinced
H1AAF AiAAD dEO tiidN Tue WAOAo SysANill
connected with the indictments was IL
legal. Hence arose the scandal connected
with the pigeon-holing of the indictments.
As long as l can remember many of the
indictments were held over the heads of
men for election purposes. This was es-
pecally true with liquor dealers. There
was a great increase of indictments just
before election. When in the district ntr
torneys office, my desk was broken open
10 get out some indictments-other desks
were broken open. There is no record
of indictments. The indictments have
been taken over to New Jersey and
burned, as Mr.. Purdy can tell. l have
never sought to cast any reelection on any
judge. 1t is against the system l object.
! insisted on a change when became re-
eorder, and the system is now much bet
ter. The indictments are now a matter
of record. 1 think more is to be done.
! invited my brother judges to meet
ing in January and one of the subjects
discussed was appointments"
Mr.. Goff spoke of the list of attendants
and clerks and said some of them drew
pay from the city for years while really
giving no service. He said: Il considered
that the chief clerk of this court should
not be district leader in politics"
Senator O'Connor wanted to know If
the clerk of this court could not use his
official position to advance the interests
of his party
The recorder said he could do so. He
said there was no reflections on the
character of Mr.. Sparks. If
clerks had been promoted for honesty,
efficiency and length of service, as .he
other judges claim, MIR. Hall or Walsh
would have been made chief clerk.
Which system would you recon-
mend?"
Il would have men come here and work
for their money the same as any me
chanic. I would have the men divorced
from politics, and would not have men
receive letters from political parties as
Judge Cowing knows"
That is not true" spoke up Judge
Cowing. Don't use my name"
Judge Cowing knows men received let
tiers" continued Goff.
It's a lie; it's a lie," shouted Judge
Cowing. Don't mention my name, es-
pecally in connection with a falsehood.'
Mr. Golf got red in the face, but con-
tinued, land there is Clerk Hall, who
became democrat after his appointment
by Judge Cowing"
That's a lie" cried out the clerk, who
was standing nearby. II am democrat
and always have been"
Judges Cowing and Fitzgerald were
asked If they wanted to ask the recorder
any questions
NO" said Judge Cowing. 'T will an
swer him in my own way. I would not
put questions to him. I have not spoken
TO him in three months. But 1 wish the
opportunity of being heard"
And 1, Also" said Judge Fitzgerald.
I want to make a statement.H
oh certainly, judges" said Chairman
O'Connor. I'VE shall give you a chance
10 give your side of the case. We only
wish to get at the truth of the matter.
There seems to be a difference among
the judges"
Yes. unfortunately" said Judge Cow
ing, there is a difference and it is a dis
graceful condition of affairs. During my
sixteen years service 1 have not had
anything so scandalous."
I am sorry to see such a condition of
things" said Chairman O'Connor.
The chairman then announced recess
for an hour
After the recess Judge Rufus b. Cowing
was sworn. He said he was city judge.
He then proceeded to read a. statement in
which he said: Il am not here to smirch
my court. l shall eonfine myself to the
proposed bill to regulate the appointment
OF court attendants. Supposing had sent
TO Albany a bill increasing my salary 1873
per cent, and making me chief judge
or this court what would Won think of