The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-04
COMMITTEE SAT UNTIL g A. ".
Mr.. Arnold Advised by Lawyers to Resign
His Proposed Successor.

MS ITOUObcu SuCCesbOT.
1t was at a midnight session of the committee
at the Hotel Cadillac on Thursday that the
hearing set for yesterday was called off. Per-
sons interested in Surrogate Arnold's conduct
were waiting for the committee when it re-
turned from the theatre Thursday night and
communicated to it Surrogate Arnold's inten-
ton to withdraw. The considered
the situation until . O'Clock in the morning
and then decided to see what the day brought
forth before beginning the hearings. The res
ignation was filed. the hearings are indef-
nitely postponed. and the committee took the
morning train for Albany.
The committee. however. is not through with
its work. 1t is now to prepare Legislation that
will make a repetition OF the Arnold regime in
the Surrogate's office impossible.
Not since the committee was appointed has
the name OF any lawyer been mentioned as
Surrogate Arnold's counsel. Judge Arnold
went to a number of lawyers of renown. it was
learned, and asked them to attend to his inter
0sts at the hearings. Each lawyer he ap-
preached told him that to attempt to fight the
committee would be useless-that the only
thing for him to do was to resign Judge Ar
mold listened to them and was impressed. Last
Tuesday he seemed about to follow the advice
of these men, who were all friendly to him.
They sent word to the committee to hold off.
Judge Arnold changed his mind the next day
dDu bdlh lc WAC kplIG w GU L It NOIuIlllItb
doubled the force Of clerks going over his rec
ords. Judge. Arnold went out to find counsel
again, The first man he 9P2roached refused
gave Ut. and his friends went to the Cadillac
on Thursday midnight with his reported de-
In a sketch Of the committees work issued
yesterday by John Proctor Clarke. special
counsel. occurs this passage;
pointed his brother, Thomas r. Arnold. an APP
praiser for the personal property Of decedents.
Appraisers in these proceedings are entitled to
not exceeding So a day, and ar a matter of fact.
not ~onerous; No precise statement Of results
can be stated at this time, but from the numer-
GUS reports and complaints made by various
members Of the bar 1t appears that excessive
fees far beyond any possibility OF legality have
threat OF delay to the proceedings. The pro-
cedure seems to be to approach the attorney
state that il prompt decision is desired the bill
must be- paid; II not paid great delay VIII
1.-THE preliminary in Investigation of these prac-
tees seemed to require positive Legislation 70
reform and correct these abuses. A partial
examination q, the official records OF the Sur
rogate's Court for the year 1897. covering only
five lines OF patronage; and one Of these incom-
plete. diseloses that Surrogate Arnold gave 70
Robert W. Cromiey 325 appointments. and al
lowed for services in said proceedings the sum
of $36.043, The Surrogate's salary Is $4,000.
"A specimen Is the following from the rec
-" Estate OF Grace G.. Roosevelt, Gilbert W.
ToaSte I XrnoId on Nov. p iS. giisRs5Sa: SIed his am
davit OF service on NOV, 20, 1895 THE next day.
and was allowed 5y, Surrogate Arnold for said
4 lawyer acquainted with the practice of the
Surrogate's Court said yesterday that in all
these cases the heavy fee charges were made
against which they were assessed. Such con-
sent deprived the upper court.of any " TO
review the assessments.