New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-01
COURT PATRONAGE DIVIDED
JUDGE COMING AND TAMMANY GET THE
PLUMS.

nEcoRDER aoFF IGNORED IN THE GENERAL SEES
sroNs APPoINTMENTs-How THE DEAL
WAS CARRIED THROUGH.
Much severe criticism OF some o. the Judges OF the
Court of General Sessions was heard In TINS city
recently on account of report that there had been
a deal by which the two Tammany Judges wouid
be able to appoint number OF Tammany favoTites
TO important clerkships in the court 1t was SAID
then that Judge Cowing ready 10 make bar
gain with Judges Mcmahon and Newburger for
the control OF the court patronage on cohdiuoh
that he could secure the appointment OF his own
son. Edward X. Cowng. 10 one OF the chief clerk
ships.
New-Yorkers who had been careful to speak well
Of the Court of General Sessions. declared that
there would be a dsgraceful public scandal II
Judges of the court condescended TO traffic IN the
patronage OF the court At the same time IL was
asserted that John c. Sheehan. the new leader OF
Tammany Hall. had taken hand in the bargain
ing and had made some terms with Judge Fitz-
gerald by which four of the coveted clerkships
could be secured for Michael T. DAILY. the former
Commissioner of Public Works: John j. Ryan, the
former Deputy Commissioner of Street Cleaning;
Samuel Wolf and Carl l.. Lewensten, four Tam
many favorites. At that time II was said that
Judge Cowing might be shut out Of the arrange
ment 1t was understood that In any event there
would be a combination by which Recorder Con
would be deprived OF any voice in the naming Oh
men for appointment positions In the court
Under a new law the patronage Of the Court OF
General Sessions had been increased. and TAM
many wanted all the patronage.
Yesterday a report that the Tammany Judges
had been allowed TO appoint the Tammany faVor-
ties was again heard in the city, and late in the
afternoon the report was confirmed by the an
nouncement of the appointments. 1t was then
known also that Judge Cowing had been able TO
secure the appointment of his son, who is young
man without much experience. Judges Cowing,
Fitzgerald. Mcmahon and Newburger had held a
meeting. to which Recorder Goff was not invited.
on Wednesday evening. it was said and had divided
up the patronage in such manner as TO SATISFY
the Tammany leaders
The obstacle 10 previous understanding 1t was
said was the fact that Judge Cowing wanted to
have his appointed to one OF the $So cierKships
Judges Mcmahon and Newburger would not agree
to this. The obstacle was removed by Judge cow
ing agreeing to sacrifice two attendants appointed
by him for his sons clerkship. These attendants
were Peter Seaman and Charles Knight Knight
had been in the court for about twenty years. and
received 81, 200 a year. Seaman got like salary.
The latter is a veteran of the war. He had orig
inally been recommended by the Press Club.
The list Of the appointments was given out at
D. m yesterday follows:
Deputy Clerks. at 5000 year-Samuel Wof'
Michael T. DAILY. John ]. Ryan, Edward X Cowing
and Carl L. Lewenstein.
Record Clerks at $500 a year-Albert Eterch.
Boyle.
Court pher-George F. Flack. $500 year.
Mr. Flack has served stenographer since Jan l.
Chief Court attendants, reapponted-Michaei
Looney, Richard Mclaughlin and Charles WheelocK,
Court attendants at 81 900 a year-Max Lowell
Henry Trott, Harry E. Bedell. John l1ansidell John
Mcclure John T. Ormond John Kane. Dennis
bowling. Robert Lang, Patrick Moynihan James ).
Hogan, E. p. Frank and Mortimer Sullivan. Ihese
are all new men. ,,s
II was said that with the exception OF Edward
X Cowing the appointments were divided between
Judge Newburgerf and Judge Mcmahon. the ram
many Judges. :. x
Recorder Con- refused to say anything in refer
ence to the meeting of the Judges and the appoint
ments made. The only removals made were those
OF Seaman and knight. One or two more appoint
ments Of attendants still to be made.
After Seaman received his dismissal, he reported
to Judge Mcmahon who himself Is veteran. The
Judge told him to go and see Clerk Carroll Carroll
told him he could do nothing. Recorder Con was
not invited to attend the meeting Of the Judges II
was said, because the other Judges thought he had
no right to any Of the appointments. HIS wishes
in the selection of the men to serve IN the court
where he sits were not consulted. His frfends SAID
the Recorder had the right to be consulted on the
question Of appointments. even though he mad no
friends to recommend 1T was reported that Judges
Newburger and Mcmahon claimed all OF the APP
pointments because Judge Mcmahon was elected
to I'LL the position Of the new part OF General
Sessions created January l. and Judge Newburger
was elected to fill the position formerly held by
Judge Allison, who retired on January l.