New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-02
rY-JT'STICES IN REBELLION.

The old Police Justices did not go gracefully,
but they went just the same. Yesterday morn
ing the benches OF our minor courts were occti-
MED by a class Of men hitherto rarely seen upon
them The Kochs and the Ryans and the DIV
yers appeared at their old haunts ana went
through the farce of demanding recognition
from their successors as Justices, and In the
ro,unda Of the Criminal Courts Building Hogan,
Meade and Fetncr contributed 10 the amuse-
mcnt OF the crowd by holding what they were
nleosei 10 call court and filming man charged
with wifc-beating $40 This was perhaps
harmless diversion enough Mock trials are IA
wcllknown method Of creating merrimcni. But
it may not be impairment 10 inquire where the
prisoner was found. what police authority ar
rested and held him. II arrested according 10
law by whose orders was he withdrawn from
answering for his offence before legal court
~ contributc 10 the gaycty Of oilers about the
courthouse and was his SO voluntary CON
tribution To the show. or was he robbed by these
former cxpoundcrs OF the law! Making protests
and carrying an appeal from the Legislature
into the courts is all very WELL but the setting
M Of fraudulent court and using II To eXtort
fines without authority Is quite different thng
II is a curious fact that the outrage on justice
and constitutional law pcrpciraied In the re-
moyal Of the Tammany Police Justices should
excite no Indignation except That when Is
aroused among those who see IN II the dcstruc
ton Of their chance II drawing fat salaries for
administering justice according 10 The dictates
Of pulls" Our people in general are extremely
sensitive 10 any tampcring with their system "
government and roscnifu toward those who
force upon them unfair partisan laws. But IN
the present case there is absolutely no popular
excitement or dSapproyal The columns or
every reputable newspaper in New-fork. inciud
ing those which are supporters Of Tammany
Hall. reflect the general rejoicing n The exit
from Office Of the men who have long encouraged
the belief among the poor and helpless HAT
laws were made for their oppression instead II
their protection. Probably ~ law passed by the
last Legislature so thoroughly met with popular
approval in this city a. that establishing The
new Board Of Magistrates There is on ali sides
the most absolute conicntment over the depart
ure Of the old Justices. II they possessed any
sense Of the fitness Of things or had any concep
ton Of personal dignity, they would retire in
Obedience 10 the popular VIII manifested at
the last election when they We're a principal
issue among the items II Tammany misriilr. In
stead Of entering into m unmanncry squabblc.
But TO expect such course from them would
be 10 assume for them character which they
long ago proved was not theirs. Police Justices
who themselves enter into barro0m fights assist
policemen In levylng blackmail or 60 about Civ
ing vent TO violent language are naturally not
controlled by regard for dcccncy or public "pn-
ION Accordingly we see them INDUCING IN dis
order and encouraging their former subor1inaieS
10 interfere with the operations Of the new
courts The Special Sessions clerk, Heating,
who Is said TO be relative OF Richard Croker.
Yesterday made an exhibition OF himself by re-
fusIng TO deliver 10 his successor the key Of the
court safe. This Is interference with the
administration Of the law which. Ike the Illegal
hning OF a man by tile exJusticcs. should be
looked into 1t Is bad enough 10 have lot OF
dismissed officers complaining and calling on
the courts 10 keep them in the places they have
disgraced but In innctlng that evil upon us the
old Justices only violate the laws OF good taste.
They have the right to appeal to the courts.
But the establishment OF their case. II any case
they have does not require them to enter on Il
disorderly and rcbcllious course toward the reg
ularly constituted authorities. When they adopt
such line Of policy they become lawbreakers,
and the excuse that they claim the authority they
usurp should not protect them from punishment.