New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-21
TIE CORONER,S OFFICE.

A bill to abolish the coroner's office in this
city. such as the local medical societies are I'M
derstood TO favor, may wisely be introduced in
the legislature at the coming session. in order
that there may at least be an intelligent discus
sion of the question here and at Albany. In de
termning that the continuation of the ancient
system should be left to the discretion of the
legislature instead of being commanded by the
constitution, the convention of 1894 undOubt-
edly responded to a respectable sentiment in
favor of a change which had been energeticaly
advocated at various times The fact that the
new constitution. permitting the abolition of
the office of coroner. ratified by a large
popular majority does not, of course, clearly
indicate popular feeling on the subject, for a
subordinate detail of a broad governmental
scheme may readily be adopted. whether it is
strongly approved or strongly opposed Those
who believe that the constitutional convention
made a mistake are perhaps justified in saying
that if there had really been a widespread de
sire for a change since 1894 the legislature
would have yielded TO it before now, and in
regarding as pretty decisive the failure to pass
a bill for that purpose introduced two years ago
by Assemblyman Henry now adjutant general
of the State. If as he supposes, its defeat
was Cue TO the hostility of rural constituencies,
il is hardly probable that a similar measure ap-
plying to the whole State would command the
necessary support this winter; but ii does not
follow that bill to abolish the office of coroner
in this city and provide a different system of
investigation and inquest would be defeated
On the contrary, the fact that such measure
for the benefit of Erie County was passed at
the last session. though so far as we know, it
attracted very little attention affords reason for
thinking that an earnest effort TO accomplish
the same object here would be successful The
law provides for the appointment by the super
visors of Erie County of a medical examiner
and 4 deputy medical examiner both eXpe-
rienced physicians of good repute, one of whom
shall investigate every case of death in which
violence may be suspected. perform an autopsy
if he thinks proper with the consent of some
designated authority and if he finds evidence
of violence report his conclusions TO the District
Attorney. TO a local magistrate or TO a county
or Supreme Court judge. Thereupon an in
quest by the court is to follow. a system re
sembling this has been employed for many
years in Massachusetts with satisfactory re-
suits. and we see no reason to doubt that such
an arrangement would he advantageous to this
city
1t cannot be denied that, with fair recogni-
ton of the exceptions 10 general rule. the
operation Of the coroner's office here has been
dscreditable 1t has been characterized some
times by unseemly conflicts OF authority some
times by scandaous delays. often by eXhibi-
tons of gross incompetence. 1t has repeatedly
DISTRACTED instead Of clearing the path Of jus
tice, and there is a strong presumption that
any well considered change would be marked
Improvement The legislature now has full
power to grant us relief and we hope that its
Intervention will be invoked in authoritative
manner