New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-18


represented the sentiment of the majority Of our
members
Everett L. Wheeler. one Of the founders OF t"e
Bar Association. said: THE Bar Associat'o"
was formed in 1870 and at that time there were
three Judges on the bench who were entirely
obedient TO the political faction that was then
running Tammany Hall and the whole city gov
eminent We found that when went into
court for Clie't II the men on the other size
could get that political influence that dominated
these judges it was useless To presen. ti'n nt
evidence or law We found that to grauty the
friends or the political leaders OF those Gays
the judges would appoint receivers not ON! vi
the property Of corporations, but or parthei-
ships and that they would allow persons 10
he arrested unlawfully, and in various ways pre-
vent them from obtaining the benent OF VIII
Of habeas corpus. 1t was proved also that one
Of these Judges took money for his olcial
actions The injury TO the people of New y ork'
as we'll to the lawyers who were thelr COUNSEL
greater than can he expressed.
WHY THE ASSOCIATION WAS FORMED.
ITO break up this system and to prevent 1t
ever being organized again the Bar Association
was formed. / one Of It's founders, ana
have a very distinct personal recollection of the
facts as thcy existed at the time The charter
Of the association expressly stated that it was
formed for the purpose Of maintaining the honor
and dignity of the law and increasing its use
fulness. OF cultivating social relations among
its members and promoting the due administra-
ton of justice. When. therefore, any one says
that its present action is in the interest or any
political party. or that ii is not consistent WIN
the object for which the association was lorheu,
he says distinctly what is not true. Inc most
important thing the association ever old was ~
bring about the Impeachment and removal U,
TWO OF the judges 10 whom have referred. ana
10 compel the resignation Of the third IN order
10 avoid impeaChne The part taken by the
association in preventing the election or Judge
Maynard is fresh in the minds OF all.
Now that a distinguished poHilcal leader
claims boldly the right to dictate to judges what
appointments shall be made in their courts II is
precisely the business of the Bar Association TO
defeat anv such attempt and To maintain the
independence Of the judiciary. Every judge OF
the Supreme Court has many appointments 70
make. He appoints commissioners 10 open
streets and to make other public improVements,
he appoints guardians for minors ana TOT
lunatics. and. above all he appoints reI
erees Political leaders have sometimes cidliieu
the right to interfere in such matters. DnI
this is the first time that the night u
DO 50 has ever been openly and boldly
claimed II the claim should now be successful
the next step would be to dictate the decision OF
causes and all the evils of the worst days OF
the Tweed ring would be renewed
The threat to form a Tammany Bar Associa-
ticn is simply a threat 10 break down the inde-
pcndence Of the bar. and should be resented not
only hv every LAWYER. but by every citizen who
has any property TO protect or who has any re-
gard for his own personal rights or those or MS
family" ...,,,,,.
James a. HlenChaFu one OF the Pi N,
members OF the Bar Association, sara: MT.
Croker's remarks are based upon a false as
sumption ana viii have no weight with men
who know the facts There are as many Demo
Gratis in the organization as there are Kepuuh-
cans Ny Cookers statement that gag law was
used is not true. James {. Carter who preSlded'
IS q Democrat and all his rulings were emil
ncntly fair Debate was rot restricted IN tle
least MI Croker singles out Mr.. Root and MT.
Choate Cor attack. preSuminG upon the ignorance
OF the general public concerning the Bar Asao-
citation. It's committees and its objects He evil
IDENTIFY homes TO create and produce In the minds
q the uniformed a bad impression, and thereby
win votes for his ticket. But as matter OF fact
Mr. Root simply performed his ofhclat duty IN
Bar Association OF which he is the chairman
The committee is composed mainly or Demo
Gratis and Nh Choate has nothing 10 do with II
whatever.