New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-08
GOFF AND THE GRAND JURY.
WHAT THE RECORDER Is SUPPOSED TO
HAVE TALKED ABOUT.
HE HAS PAPERS WHICH SHOW THE LOOSE
METHODS IN THE GENERAL SESSIONS
COURT IN PAST YEARs-WHAT THE
OTHER JUDGES SAY

OTHER JUDGES SAY
pocorder Gorf WAS a witness before the Grand
Iurv in the Court of General Sessions yesterday.
As soon as he got through with some important
cases in Part III of the court and took an ADJOURN
ment at D. m, he FASTENED 10 his chambers piaced
a number of documents in his pocket and went hl-
rectlv TO the Grand Jury room. He remained with
The Grand Jury for hour before resuming MS
duties in Part ii in the afternoon.
II was said that the Recorder had in his possession
some records OF which have been disposed OF
in the of General Sessions in past years. ana
which show the results OF the loose methods when
he has been anxious to reform. When he was act
ing as the counsel for the Lexow Committee, he
obtained some memoranda containing information
pointing to irregularities in the court ana althoush
he made no of them in the police investigation
he kept the memoranda. Lately he has sent Tor
papers of record bearing Oh the cases in question:
and it is presumed that he has intended to lay the
facts before the Grand Jury. 1t was said yesier-
day afternoon, by persons who were in position
to know the facts that the Recorder would DE Il
witness before the Grand Jury again to-day. Among
the officials in the Criminal Courts BuiclhS there
was talk to the effect that the Recorder had created
a panic in the camp of the Judges opposed to him
by demanding opportunity TO be heard by INC
Grand Jury Such a STEP 1t is said had not Deeh
looked for Now that he had begun the hSht IN
earnest, II was declared. there was every reason
TO believe that he would turn the tables on Judge
CoWing by presenting TO the Grand JuI! pIooiS
that legislation is needed TO permit reforms in the
court.
The Grand Jurors reported in Part OF the Cen
eral Sessions at exactly 2:SO o'clock TO Judge Cow
ing They returned no indictments. and were dis
charged for the day by the Judge without comment
All attempts 10 learn the nature OF the hecoruei
testimony proved futile. -
Judge MARITIME as well as Judge Cowing. was very
indignant at Recorder Cons presumption IN
ordering changes of furniture and atera tons in the
detention pens of their courts without consulting
or even offering confer with them perhaps
the Recorder made these changes in his capacity
as member of the Sinking Fund Commission.
remarked Justice MARITIME. and not as Recorder
don't know. ] consider ii lack Of courtesy upon
his part TO order these changes without consult
ing us or giving us the slightest notice | have no
idea of what they TO be. and until see them i
can say nothing about the matter at all ] see no
reason why there should be any friction between
the Judges OF this court. In the Supreme Court
there is never any trouble. because Judge Van
Brunt. the Chief Justice, always ccnsuts his as
sOciates
II approve a great many suggestions made by the
Recorder in his statement. and would have been
glad to congratulate him in bringing them about
For instance. would have been glad TO work with
him in the matter OF keeping all the indictments
the matter at all We Judges who have been on
the bench for great many years. have acquired
calm judicial mind | hope and believe that the
Recorder, having just come out OF an exciting cleo
ton. Will soon settle down. ! am surprised at the
Recorders hostility toward his associates. was
prepared to welcome him with open arms and. in
deed told him So