New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-21
IN DEFENCE OF THE BENCH.
A GREAT GATHERING EXPECTED AT CAR
NEGIE HALL TO-NIGHT.
PROMINENT MEN TO TAKE PART IN THE MOVE
MENT TO REPEL TAMMANY's ATTACK
ON THE JUDICIARY.

PROMINENT MEN TO TAKE PART IN THE NOV r.
MENr TO REPEL TAMMANY's ATTACK
on THE JUDICIARY
From all indications to-nights meeting in
Carnegie HaIl-which has for It's purpose the
maintenance Of honesty and integrity OF the
judiciary and the organization OF a movement
10 defeat Richard Croker's implied intention OF
bringing the Supreme Court under political
domina tion-will be among the largest and most
important OF the many gatherings when nave
been held in that building. Despite MI croker
assertions. there is nothing Of a personal nature
behind the fight which the lawyers have taken
up; II is a struggle for the cardinal principle
upon which the bench. having regard TO the
safety and rights Of the people. must stand
the principle Of integrity. Lawyers IN THIS city
do not hesitate to say that what Mt croker
proposes is nothing more than the sale of JUS
tlce. He has offered places in the supreme
Court on the understanding that those accept
ing the nominations are pledged TO the ascend
ancy Of Tammany Hall Should Mr.. Crokers
candidates be successful. and should they foll""
out their agreement Of extending to the Tam
many leaders that proper consideration which
Justice DAILY refused to give, lawyers say that
the next development will be an attempt on the
part Of the Fourteenth-st. chiefs to dictate de-
cisions in causes affecting their interests.
Not only the Bar but the reputable elements
II all classes OF people are aroused 10 the vital
importance Of the issue at stake. PROFESSIONAL
men. business men and citizens OF all creeds
and political faiths arc uniting in order 70 give
adequate significance 10 the meeting to-highr
The mere suggestion of judiciary subordinate
10 political control has served to stir up gen
eral feeling in the city. and tonight 1t VIII ne
demonstrated TO Mr.. Croker that those or his
lieutenants who urged that he was making
mistake in rejecting Justice DAILY spoke with
keen perception and foreknowledge. III IS not
likely that there are any tickets Of admission
remaining for distribution. Already more apph-
cants than the hall could possibly hold nave
been supplied with tickets, and to Obtain a seat
II will he necessary for the holderS "l PdSSV9 ~
reach the hall carly. ,o
1t was definitely decided yesterday that James
G. Carter should preside at the meetlhE' M, tI
Choate W Bourke Cochran. william y. HoEh
blower and John s Crosby, Well-knoWh ''in- i
ocrat. who made memorable funera oIa,,n-' a
over the body Of Henri George JONI ". a,'go- n"m
ers president of the Committee ot NlIdhsc
ments will open the meeting by introducing MI
Garter As chairman. . 81,
The lis Of those who have consented 10 act as
vice presidents Of the meeting Is long one ana
includes the names of many OF the most Pr"H"-
uent men in NeW-York city. Among llTHl az
r. r. Coudart. Joseph II. Choate W f,ouIh
Seth Low Charles Stewart Smith John L. Cad-
walader William J.. Strong. r. Fulton Cutt,nS'
Lewis Cass Ledyard. John Claflin. Anson O. NC
cook and Egerton l.. Winthrop.
Jacob w Mack. president Of the Harmonic
Club and member Of the Board Of Education,
said Yesterday among other things, with reter-
ence 10 the object Of the meeting
THE bench has been looked upon as our maj
barbor Of refuge and If safety. no matter noN
..ornl-tossed the political and social craft may
have been outside the port. and its absolute in
dependence will stand Just as little DOUBT or sus-
picion rs CHsar's wife. Property repu'atloh'
civil and political rights rest finally upon me
fundament OF an uncorrupted and incorruptpie
bench and whoever assails this-nay. whoever IS
merely instrumental IN raising IN our mlnds d
doubt a suspicion Of its purity or It's lndepen
dence of Is freedom from outside infiuenCes-lS
an enemy Of mankind and an assailant OF our
dearest privileges. The Judge who takes ms
seat should owe his elevation 10 qualifications or
a legal Of mental. Of professional character.
and the question Of his attitude toward political
issues should play no part in his selection or
election and while he Is on the bench or when
he becomes candidate for reelection his pollt-
ical affiliations should not be thought or, ana
their projection into a campaign on the part or
his friends should rather be detrment than an
advantage to him.
But condemnation and exile should he the lot
Of him who threatens 70 influence the action OF
n Judge on PARTISAN political grounds. who saps
the public conscience in the face by reWarding
or Furnishing the occupant Of or aspirant to the
bench for any act Of commission or omission
dictated by political party. a boss, ward
heeler or any other political vermn."