New-York tribune., 1903-03-23
WHY CORONERS MUST GO.
Drs. Smith, Lambert and Wiggin
Explain Bill.
To the Editor of The Tribune.

Ia the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: AS there is Q misapprehension to the
origin, objects and scope Of the bill now before
the legislature ebolishing the Office Of coroner
in this city, the following statement is sub
mitted:
First-This bill had its origin IN the New
York County Medical Association which has
agtated the subject for many years. On No
vember II last the association appointed COM
mittee to examine and report to the advisa-
bility OF abolishing the once of coroner. That
committee examined the organization and opera
tions OF the coroner's office in New-York, and
also inquired to the methods Of verifying the
deaths from unknown causes in other States and
countries. The conclusion reached by the COM
mittee that the present coroner's system
does not, and under, the conditions by which the
coroners are selected can not. meet the demands
of modern scientific medicine. They recon-
nended that system should be devised which
would entirely divorce the organization and
operations of the branch of public service de-
voted to the duties now imposed upon the cor
from political influences Of every kind. The
committee called to its aid Mr.. Lewis, counsel TO
the association. and prepared the draft Of a bill
which, with some notifications, is the bill now
before the legislature. Such was its origin.
Second-To effect the reform proposed the
committee determined to effect a complete re-
moval Of the entire system from the realm Of
politics as the first and most important feature
of reform To accomplish that result most
ef1ectuaIly 1t was proposed to abolish the office
OF coroner altogether. The constructive work
twofold in It's character, viz, first, to pro-
vide for the performance of the medical duties
those rela ting to the determination OF the
cause of death and. second, to provide for the
legal and Judicial duties those relating to the
determination OF the nature Of the crime when
crime is factor, and also the arrest Of the GRIM
inal Fortunately, have in our municipal
service two departments devoted to the per
tormance Of these duties, and which can readily
undertake these new functions. First-The
Health Department is required by law to in
vestigate and register the cause Of death, and 1t
is equipped with chemical and biological labora-
tories for such work. Under the present system
all deaths from uncertain causes turned
over to the coroners Office and yet 1t is most
important that this department should lnVest1-
gate these cases in order to be prepared TO pre-
vent other deaths from the cause. Under
the bill before the legislature the Health
Department will assume all the duties con-
nected with investigating the cause of death in
every case, bringing to its aid well equipped
chemical and biological laboratories conducted
by expert scientists. Second-In providing for
the legal duties it decided to confer them
upon the office Of the District Attorney, and re-
qure the inquest to be conducted IN a mag
istrate's court
Third-The results which Will follow the enact
nent of this bill may be summarized thus: /
The investigation OF the cause Of death will be
prompt in accordance with the uniform rule
OF the Health Department in all emergency
duties . The investigation will be accurate
and reliable, because it will be made by an
expert pathologist. 5. The inquest, conducted
by the District Attorney in a magistrates court
will have that character and dignity which be-
fits proceedings always Of solemn import to par
ties Immediately concerned, and often or far-
reaching influence upon the welfare Of the com"
ruunity In which the crime was committed.
In conclusion, we may add that Massachusetts
and many other States have long since reformed
their systems of verifying deaths, eitner oy
reorganizing the syStem or by aboisn1ns the
office altogether and substituting modern sci
entific methods We believe that II is IN the
interest of sound public policy that the city OF
New-York which is SO abundantly supplied In
its different departments with the means OF
superseding the work OF the coroners. should
he relieved OF this antiquated office, and the
system Of investigating the cause OF death IN
alI cases where the cause Of death is uncertain
should be transferred to rhe Health Depart
ment and the legal and judicial duties should oe
imposed upon the District Attorney ana the
magistrates
STEPHEN SMITH. NJ. D..
Chairman Committee.
ALEXANDER LAMBERT, NJ D,
President The Nev-York County Medical AS
FREDERICK HOLME WIGGIN. NJ. D,
President The New-York State Medical As
socation. ~
New-York March q, 1903.