New-York tribune., 1896-12-07
SELECTIONS FROM THE NAIL.
THE INCOMPETENT INTERPRETER.

SERIOUS MENACE TO JUSTICE IN SUCH TRIALS
AS THAT OF THE EARBIERI GIRL.
To the Editor of The Tribune
sir: The long trial OF the unfortunate Italian girl
Is coming 10 close soon. and shall be relieved
H Is hoped for time at least-of the sensaionasm
jury VIII render the proper verdict in due time upon
the evidence before them and the majesty OF the
law will be satisfied
one thing. however. this celebrated trial has demon
straed to the public and that is the unsatisfactory
and untrustworthy qualifications OF the official inter-
prefer of the court. whose gestlcuation has formed
one OF the features OF the trial and whose deficiency
OF the English language mas been made apparent to
an. Colonel Beard, the senographer. who took
down the notes in the previous trial. told the writer
recently of great difficulty he experienced in UNDER
standing the English OF the interpreter The writer
had also the same experience while serving petit
juror in Recorder smyth's court some years ago.
Understanding Italian. he had occasion in a number
OF instances 10 correct the interpreter material
points in the testimony, for which the learned Re-
corder chose to compliment him
Last September the writer a member OF the
Grand Jury of that month. and the state Of
affairs existed The present Interpreter Mr. Nor
ros Is no doubt an Italian scholar OF ability.
but his imperfect knowledge Of English is only
detrimental but positively risky in official interpre
tation in most important trial where life and liberty
are at stake, as in the present case Interpreter
means person who makes ineligible the speech OF
d foreigner 10y translation, and translation means 10
give the sense or its equivalent in another language,
hence II one is deficient TO the language IN which
translation is to be made il is not possible 10 make
the words nelligble
In Germany, France and Russia the essential re-
qulrements OF official Interpreters Is the thorough
knowledge of the language OF the country ana IL
should be here.
Neither the District-Attorney nor the Judge of the
General Sessions who have the power o. appointment
blame. the fault Is in the law. as II only allows
salary of $20O per annum TO the interpreters thdt
this compensation Is insufficient 10 attract any man
of ability readily admitted without question COM
mercial houses ana banking institutions ofitr lnhch
better inducemrnsa salary from S3oV0 to siVVV per
year would be fair in me opinion OF the writer
Il the fault is in the law. so l. also the remedy;
new law should ne enacted. the bill 10 he prepared
under the supervision OF the judges creating chet
interpreter 10 be appointed tor a hxed numDar & or
years The present law may be left as IL IS ana the
Interpreters holding office should be under the
chief and bv him detailed on smaller cases as tle
occasion may warrant the Judge should direct.
As to the need of additional lnterpreters.there Is no
doubt the writer's observation as a tirand Juror
and from ton with Assistant Distric-Ator-
ney Battle fully satisfy him OF IT, ,, -,
The gentlemen who si on the bench IN our crlmhai
courts especially could better and more
administer the law by being provided win az pUd pd
sble safeguards for the protection OF Jaw ne an
liberty and OF these IS an nteIigeh'
who understands and speaks the English iahsus
\eW-York Dec. g. 1895 - u