New-York tribune., 1897-01-25
pTBLIC DEFENDERS.

Senator Grady has introduced in the Legs
lature at Albany a bill to create the omce or
Public Defender provide for his election and
fix his compensation in the several counties OF
the state The text of this measure has been
submitted to The Tribune with the request
that we give 1t our approval and support. We
cannot. however. comply with this request. On
the contrary we feel constrained to advise
against It's passage; for on examination 1t ap-
pears 10 be a bill which will serve no useful
public purpose and will work against the best
interests of the state.
II Is proposed to create sixty new officers to
be elected next November for terms OF three
years. Those sixty Public Defenders are to re-
ceivc salaries undoubtedly fat ones-fixed by
the several Boards Of Supervisors are to have
as many assistants and clerks as the super
vsors will permit. are 10 have offices furnlshed
10 them. and are to establish pubic machlhes
Of about the same magnitude as the District
Attorneys offices. only with reverse action
The effect Of this would be to multiply enor-
mously the number of offices In the State, and
add greatly to the public expenditures to ac-
complish no work which is not now done as
well at almost no expense to the taxpayer.
When an accused person has no counsel now
the Court assigns member Of the Bar to de-
does not pay him anything. The lawyer looks
upon this work as one of the duties properly
deyolying upon him as an officer Of the court.
He has compensatng privileges which make
II only Just that he should render such service.
Moreover the young lawyer gets training from
such cases. and is generally glad to undertake
them for the sake Of experience and TO defend
them with zeal In hopes Of making reputa-
tion. i, would be a waste Of money to compel
the taxpayers 10 pay great corps or public
officers TO do what Is now done Tor nothing.
Moreover, II would deprive the young criminal
lawyer Of the chance 10 take the first steps IN
his profession. Nor is there any reason to sup
nose that the salared staff Of public office
would be more diligent in looking after the in
terests Of the poor wretches who receive coun-.
sci services as public charity. than would the
individual lawyer to whom such work would
not be mere official routine.
An establishment for the defence Of crime.
besides multiplying Offices extravagantly, would.
II II were at all efficient increase the difficult
ties Of enforcing the law And certainly II
would be ridiculous thing for the State 10
prosecute with one hand and defend with the
other the violation OF its own statutes. The
whole scheme smacks OF comic revival Of the
Devils Advocate" With the present safe
guards thrown about persons accused OF crime
conviction Is over-dificult Grand Jurles do not
indict generally without reason. Most men
brought TO trial are guilty. but many OF them
escape public funciionary devoted to free
Ing the rest would be- public scandal lie
could become enormously proficient. and with
the official power at his disposal could exercise
as much authority over the criminal classes as
does District-Attorney. A dishonest man
possessed of all the secrets Of different crimi.
nails could have immense forces AT his COM
mand and could bring one criminal 10 the aid
Of another and organize public trust in law
breaking. This may seem fancifu but any
body who stops to think how public Offices be-