The sun., 1902-02-08
JUSTICES WORK HARD HERE.
BAR ASSOCIATION THINKS GOV.
ODELL MISTAKEN. ..
Associations Committees Advocate Ex-
tending Jurisdiction Of City Courts
and Giving Them More justices -sug.
gest Means OF Relieving Supreme Court.

and Giving Them More Justices
gest Means OF Relieving supreme Court.
A special meeting Of the Bar Association
was held last night TO listen to a joint report
Of the Committees on the Amendment TO
the Law and Judiciary relative to pending
legislation affecting the Judiciary In the
city OF New York. The report was read by
Henry W. Taft, chairman of the Judiciary
Committee.
In reference to a recent statement by
Gov. Odell to the effect that New York
Justices don't work hard enough the COM
mittees reported that, in view Of the source
of the statement, careful consideration
had been given TO it., and they had con-
cluded that II would be neither wise nor
practicable to exact a greater amount OF
work from the Justices than they now
perform, and figures are given 10 show
that the city Justices do considerably more
work in the course of the year than the
Justices upstate. The report makes these
suggestions
az That the Jurisdiction Of the City Court
be extended TO causes of action for injuries
10 persons or property caused by negligence
or 10 recover damages for injuries resulting
In death. without Limitation on account OF
(2) That II such negligence actions be
commenced in the Supreme Court costs be
and that no additional allowances be granted
(3) That the number of Justices OF the city
Court be increased by three.
a. That the General Term OF the Clty Court
be abolished and appeals be- provided for
direct TO the Supreme Court
Gl That the, supreme Court bc empowered
to remove negligence suits from the supreme
Court 20 the city Court and from the City
Court TO the supreme Court in its discretion,
(B) That the matter OF the assignment or
Supreme Court Justices from other districts
be committed To the Justices OF all the Appel
late Divisions OF the State meeting in con-
Is That the calendar practice be changed
so that when notes OF issue are hleo cas"s
court and that suitable provision be made
for tho transfer of cases from one part TO
another as convenience may require
1s) That the Constitution he amended
so rs to enable the Legislature. under proper
restrictions, 10 increase or diminish the
number of Justices OF the Supreme Court
The first six recommendations will be
regarded, probably, by the lawyers as the
most important of the eight: oonsid-
erable part Of the report is devoted to
discussion of the proposition Of extending
the jurisdiction Of the City Court. In the
course of this discussion the committees
refer TO the proposed amendments to the
Constitution to provide permanently Tor
an increase in the number OF supreme
Court Justices and they assert that care
full examination of the situation has led
to the conclusion that il is by no means
clear that the total number OF supreme
Court Justices within the state should be
increased on account of the needs OF TINS
county.
"On the contrary" the report reads,
"there is a sufficient number of Judges in
the State IL the work were properly appor-
toned among them, and provided a part
of the work in this city is assigned to one
of our courts of inferior jurisdiction nainely,
the City Court"
The report goes on TO say
On account Of the limited jurisdiction OF
the City Court the standards heretofore
applied IN the selection OF justices have not
been as high as In the case OF supreme Court
Justices in respect of professional standing
and Judicial ability and learning But neg
ligence litigation does not generally involve
either intricate or novel questions of law.
IL is believed that IL could generally be salts
factoriy. disposed Of by the City Court jus
tices Moyeover, with the increased dignity
and Importance which the suggested changes
would give to the City Court, more rigid
the selection OF Justices. and they would
soon command confidence In their aolllty
10 dispose Of the litigation thus committed
TO them. In respect of the luries In the CITY
Court no change would be necessary. a
they are already selected from the same
panel "a In the Supreme Court
Undoubtedly the Supreme Court will re-
ceive much relief under the plan proposed.
but it iS probable that the time Of that court IL
commercial cases has decreased largely be-
cause litieants. have been unwilling 10 go
into court ana De eubJetleu 10 ionR anu
tTou ubesome DELAYS This will probably again
find its way into the courts 10 some extent.
and. moreover, many lltigants in negligence
suits would still prefer TO commence their
suits In the Supreme Court. II would be
unsafe 10 leRislate upon the assumption
that the business In the supreme Court would
IN the end he less than could be conveniently
disposed OF by the existing Judges. on the
contrary. II will probably be necessary 70
time TO time Supreme Court Justices from
other parts OF the state.
The meeting adjourned until next Tues
day evening, at which meeting a com
mittee will bs appointed 10 confer with
the proper legislative committees at Al
bany on the following day.