New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-29

who signs the citations and many other papers ana
whose work Is large extent independent OF 'lt'
carried on by the ordinary clerical force OF the OIL
Ace. picturesque figure IN the e OnSar ~ H'
+. Underhill. tle veteran stenoSrapher'
CLERKS IN THE OFFICE.
The main clerical force in the office is under the
direction Of Chief Clerk William V. Leary, VINO mas
been many years in office. and whose Judgment as
TO many matters of practice and in the preparation
of pa pers is largely relied upon by the Surrosates
His deputy is Edward W. Bonynge. and there are
also two law assistants connected WIN 'he o"'e'
clerks office These men examine papers for sub
mission 70 the Surrogates and frequently point out
to counsel important matters which require change
or further verifcatlon before the papers are ready
to be acted upon by the Surrogates Inc expert
ence and training of these men are frequently VI
great service TO lawyers. who look to them for IN
formation and suggestions matters OF PROBATE
Questions of and other matters frequently de
cded by the clerks in other courts must be passed
upon by the Surrogates themselves
The office work of the Surrogates department. as
DISTINGUISHED from the court Itself, Is necessarily
divided into several branches. One OF the most I'M
nortant divisions is that of the Probate CLERK
Jacob Washburn formerly Assistant District
Attorney Is in charge OF this branch Of the work.
and no has two assistants. Mr.. Washourn Is
courteous and at the same time an especially care
f official and the papers filed in MS orahch OF 'he
court are scrutinized with the greatest attention.
With the Probate Clerk filed all Wis ana the
ACCOMMODATING petitions and atiidavits Every VIII
offered for probate must have with 1t copy OF the
document for IN cases where the origihai Is NOT
needed The rule requiring copy 10 frequently lor-
gotten by lawyers who bring wills to the once pu.
they are required to prepare copy before the VIII
/ is fled
\ Many neculiar documents are filed with the Pro-
!, hate Clerk some of which afterward admitted
az wills and others rejected. Not lntr'quehtS
/ the will is written sheet Of note paper OF
\ scrap of other paper. No matter now INFORMAL II
rN n
signing and publication of the Will have been COM
/ ped with IL is received and generally admitted to
probate one OF the strangest documents TeeentiyS
i AS is used for childrens compositions. one which
admitted to probate rev years ago r mss of
Il German story book. 1t consisted OF these words
/ leave all my money and house. No. A.! East
On" si as9 AVENUE y A L. & Y City and
H all other things that may possess to my Wite ana
/ be Executors In case my wife should die then al
property to go to my child Ths + ny Ro Sf Mn
II and testament. hhiNH'Oh MIN
Il the testator bequeaths large amounts TO various
H relatives or TO charitable institutions amq ro,b
II ing Of value. Sometimes sum OF money IN GER
tain bank is beGueathed and he eSpesrant ne od
II used by the testator before his death
II HOW LAWYERS PROFIT.
II Objections to the wills also fed with the Pro-
II bate Clerk. Many of the contests are over small
II estates which scarcely suffice to the fees OF the
II lawyers who are employed to sustain the wills II
II frequently happens that contests are begun py us
II appointed relatives simply to annoy tnose VINO nave
II been favored without any real expectation or sue
II cess Most Of the objections founded on the sup
II posed incapacity OF the person who made tne WILL
II or on charges OF undue influence exercised by some
II favored heir The technical requr ements Tor max
II ing will are so we'll understood that Few succ esS,
Il full contests made upon the ground that the Wall
II has not been correctly attested
II Another important branch OF the surrogate
II clerks Office Is that OF the Administration Clerk
II The small room in which George +. Scannell ana
II his assistants work Is frequently crowded In the
!, morning hours by widows and girls In deep mourn
II ing The women the widows OF men who have
II recently died and they are seeking 10 OBTAIN let.
II ters OF administration 10 enable them 10 collsc'
II amounts which have been due their husbands The
II clerks many of the poor women who are TN
II able TO employ attorneys In securing the necessary
II papers.
II The supervision OF guardians and of the account,
H OF those having charge OF estates are important
II duties performed In the Surrogate's office. Th'
II General Guardian Clerk receives the petitions FOL
II the apnon ment OF general guardians and oversee
II the preparation OF bonds required of them. The
II General Guardian Accounting Clerk il busi,y EN-
II poyed IN enforcing the law requiring an annual &C
II counting of general guardians. He sends word L
II the delnQuehts and sees that the accounts al,
II properly rendered TAere IL also an accounting cerl
II with him. with whom the accounts or executors an'
II others filed.
H COPYING OLD RECORDS
" The Superintendent OF the Recording Division
With fourteen clsskL 10 buay in rseordin4> In lars