The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-26
JUDGES TESTIFY.
PAID FROM $4,000 TO 100000 EACH
FOR CAMPAIGN BGPHNSEs

yesterday. The views OF the Supreme Court
Justices on the proprlety and desirability Of
contributions to political organizations by can
didates for the bench we're asked for. Most OF
tho Judges thought. personally, that 1t would be
pleasant thing IL such assessments were not
levied. but at tho same time. saw no impro-
priety in a candidate for the bench helping to
defray the legitimate expenses OF his election
All but one had paid for this purpose sums OF
money varying from So. 500 to $4,000.
First OF the judicial witnesses called was
Justice Edward Patterson OF the Appellate
branch OF the Supreme Court. Chairman Mazet
told the witness that the City Club. the Cti-
zens Union. the Chamber OF Commerce and
other organizations had expressed a desire to
have the matter OF judicial assessments inves-
tigated.
You paid an election assessment. did you
not2" said Mr.. Moss.
II did," replied tho witness: but do not
recall the amount"
Was 1t several thousand dpllars2" asked the
lawyer.
Yes; should say several thousand dol
lars"
ITO whom2"
ITO the County Democracy. was nomi-
mated by tho County Democracy and endorsed
by Tammany Hall. made no contribution to
Tammany."
Don't you think 1t would be a good thing II
the system OF cam paiRn assessments OF candi-
dates for judgeships could be done away WITH"
1T would be a relief certainly" replied the
witness. Not that such a contribution has
any effect upon Judges official acts, however.
There are certain legitimate expenses to be
met In every campaign. and unless the candi-
dates contribute to defray those. l don't see
quite how they are to be paid. Still. / should
like to see the assessm to stopped"
Justice Gildersleeve said in answer to Mr..
Noss's questions:
Il was elected to the Supreme Court bench
In 1891 and made a contribution for election
expenses OF between $4,000 and $1,000. as l
remember it. As l was I'll at the time. did
not pay out the money personally"
When you were elected to the Court Of Gen.
eral Sessions did you contributed" asked Mr..
Moss.
Yes. about the same amount. I was told
that could pay any amount wished"
DO you approve Of the system"
TO expect large contributions from candi.
dates for judicial Offices is a bad thing Still.
see no reason why they should be entirely ex-
empted from cam paign expenses"
This was very much the sentiment Of the
$1,000 to the Chairman Of the Tammsny Hall
Snf f.mpssa Ws,.n m ,Ss be
sessment system can be avoided"
Justice, Scott had given John G, sheehan.
representing Tamnany Hall. $3.50 for cam
WHO Ak ed the amount OF your assessment"
Il did at frst'" said the Witness II told Mr..
Sheehan ! wanted to pay my share and sug-
$500 sss5 he aa shat bs shS s.
figure By reckoning on $40 for each election
p yGs nFS a Sid1 nr Mo Suggest LOT tho
We'll, these expenses must be paid said
should pay them himself rather than that
some body should, pay, them for him, That
would put him under obligations and would
which campaign contributions are to be spsnt
and requiring a strict accounting OF them.
Justice BischolY testified that he had paid
Il asked to whom xas to give the money and
Hail! 500 80 lett III cheek Of $4,000 Tor him..
ftx would be GOOD thing, said Justice BI.chi
patronage were to DO taken from the Justices.
Tbs PROFIT 81 rslereeshIps; however ,.. is much much
Have you ever had any persons suggested
cal ' isader ssEed M Moss &c 0' any
Never" was the reply. and should resent
Like Justice Blschor. Justice McAdam. who
came next, had made Q voluntary contrlbu-
Of m ed shs Moa +.
good thing for the Justices. but a bad one for
the organization. He saw no imprO priety in
judicial candidates paying their share OF the
What y yog5 view Of EatT%Goss' in the gift
Il should like to see It done away, with. We
could get along much better IL We didn't have
give out s Sos ths5
see a system inauguratsd like that of the
ing Of bonds from rs;erees' He was followed
By JGstcs bugro Who had ma made eqnt Isa
Does not this system OF largo contributions
practically bar out a poor man from the bsnoh'"
"A poor man could borrow the money. sup
pose" was the reply.
money and stterward ask for an appointment
That would be an undesirable situation"
Justice Fitzgerald. who was elected last year
HGd Rsa t FALL Da oMsnd ssSt s9
ssstsd to f the cosrt q General Session, he
had a hard political fight before him, and his
contribution then was larger.
II would be good thing no said: II there
would be BE- expected to max 9 cam paign eontribue
d tSH but oY RI TIC to to judicial can
1t was to Richard Croker that Justice Beach.
the next witness. paid his 5000 assessment.
You understood that the custom OF contrib
uting certain amount existed?" asked Mr..
Moss.
THAT contribution was made in response to
the requests of several gentlemen, among
whom was Mr.. Croker" replied the witness.
That was about tho sum. l reckoned, that
would pay my share in the expenses OF the
campaign. cant sec why judicial candidates
shouldn't pay their share OF campaign expenses
| as well as others"
In regard to referees. the witness said that
| the. present system worked very well. so far as
he had had experience.
Justice Bsekman favored a law relieving the
| candidates for the bench Of the assessments.
| He had paid 81, 7a7 As to referees. he spoke
| ola bin introduced In 1897. providing for the
appointment Of nifty referees by the justices Of
the Appellate Division Of the Supreme Court.
That was a political bill. said he, looking
| to getting moro revenues for Republicans. 1t
was opposed by Speaker O'Grady and he de-
| serves great credit for oppoe ING 1t. don't
| believe that political considerat Ions govern the
| Justices in the appointment OF referees. For
myself, | have appointed Republicans as well
| az Democrats. Personally I'd be glad to have
| the system OF appointing referees changed so
| that the appointments should not be made
| from the bench. but can't see any better way
to serve the, public interests than by the pres
Justice Truax testified that he had paid
| $4,000 to John C. Sheehan and $25 to the
| Tdn,Inanv Times. He saw no harm, he said, in