New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-09
part of those who have the city's water supply
in charge
TO RETTER THE COLRIS.

| One hill left in Governor Odelis hands at
! the adjournment of the legislature is OF IN
common importance in securing necessary re-
forms in the prompt and efficient admnlstra-
ton Of Justice in the courts of TINS CITY. lts
most important provision abolishes the 'Teh-
eral Term of the City Court. 1t is so strongly
supported by substantially the unanimous voice
of the bar of New York that it is TO be hopeo
the demands upon Governor Odells time bE
the mass Of legislation left for his deterlnlhd-
ton may not prevent him giving TO this meas
IRE the favorable consideration it seems 10 US
to deserve.
To say that this bill has the approval OF me
Rar Association of this city is the least en-
phatic way OF stating the situation. Inc COM
mittee on amendment of the law of that asso-
ciation composed of some of the most eminent
and conservative members of the local bar, has
given to this measure unusually careful con
sfderation and has taken great pains TO get the
Judgment of those best qualified to pass upon
il by addressing to them circulars asking for
their opinions OF the hundreds of replies re-
ccived more than % per cent were emphatic III
their advocacy of the bill, and especially OF
the provision abolishing the General Term OF
the City Court. In fact, the only strenuous
objection to the bill has proceeded from those
friends Of the justices of the City Court VINO
have thought that the dignity Of their positions
would thereby be lessened-
The reasons however given by those who
have supported the measure seem overwhelm-
ingIy 10 outweigh such personal considerations
The general Jurisdiction Of the City Court is
limited to judgments for $1,000. and in most
instances the cases involve much smaller
amounts. The present system actually makes
possible four appeals before final Judgment in
u, oil hn
laws. harassments and expense. 1t is the only
court in the State of which this can be said.
The present system in the City Court IS also
antaconistic 10 the spirit of the new consttu-
ton that in the higher courts abolished the
former nractice by which the judges sat alter
natelv in review of each others decisions. Nor
has there been anything in the character OF the
judicial work done by the General Term or
the CITY Court which in the opinion of law
yers generally justilies its continuance Its
onfDfons take I'D much room in the law reports.
without adding to their value. The proportion
of rcvcrsals of the judgments Of that General
Term by the Supreme Court is startling. The
nero statement Of the fact that 40 per cent
of the judgments of II tribunal are reversed
mon higher appeal is convincing proof of its
useeSsneSS as we'll as of the correctness of the
statement made by the Bar Association Com
mfttee that these justices have not given to
"the cases coming before them the time. con-
"Sideration investigation or learning required
10 produce results at all satisfactory 10 the
bar or to litigantS.'
The City Court Is far behind in its calendar
It is plain that the time now spent by its jus
tees at General Term can be used TO much
greater public advantage In clearing off IT'S jury
calendar. For every consideration, we are
satisfied that the Governor would be doing
much to better the conditions that control the
administration of justice in this city by giving
his approval TO this measure.