New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-03
CLERKS HOLD THE FORT
UNSUCCESSFUL ASSAULT.
Iust;ce Seaman Tries in Vain to Get
Court Records.

-,..,s,,p 70 give up the court records or resign
4, favor o: newly appointed clerks, Frederick
r Wood and c. F BruGer yesterday barricaded
,ter,selves n a small room I'm the hIIth Munich
,al District courthouse at OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
"a Broadway. Wood and Bruder We're clerks
,,nder Justice Bennet whose place was taken
~ rriaay by the newly elected justice. Alfred
" seaman Justice Seaman appointed
-.roas " Gjloon and John Service as his clerks
cd Yesterday morning the new clerks and the
,rst,ce went 10 the court 70 open the proceed
ings for the day
t. q small room adjoining the court which
oontsins the safe telephone and all the records
Of the court. they found Wood and Bruder. The
r-vo clerks had cut opening in the door. about
? by 9 inches The door was securely locked
and harricaded on the inside.
Through the small opening the clerks told the
,ustce that they intended to stay inside, and
would not give up their positions or the court
records.
Justice Seaman. finding that pleading was OF
no avail instructed Gloon and Service to obtain
foolscap legal cap and other necessary articles
for the courts business. This was done. and
q few minor cases We're disposed Of Justice
Seaman then left the court
Wood left the room about o'clock to get
some luncheon. When he returned Bruder went
out and did likewise. Wood then said he and
BFuder lnteNdeQ TO stay IN the IooIl as lOuS as
nature and the courts would permit.
AT .. m, before the adjournment Of the
court for the day. Justice Seaman ordered his
appoIntee. Gloon 10 procure the seal and the
records Of the court which were in the anteroom
under the guard Of Wood and Bruder. Gloon
advanced toward the room. outside OF which
Wood then stood. flanked by Policeman Con-
nelly. Of the West Observation-Disclosures. station.
who had just relieved Policeman Farley, who
had been on guard all day.
Gloon tried 20 push in the door. but II was
securely locked the inside. He then made
formal demand on Clerk Wood for the seal and
the records. but Wood refused to give them up
Returning to Justice Seaman. Gloon reported,
and then the justice ordered that the room be
cleared Of all who were not connected with the
court Accompanied by the attendants Gloon
advanced again TO Woods stronghold and one
Of the attendants took hold Of Woods sleeve in
q formal way, but he refused 10 budgs. Justice
Seaman then called on the policeman 10 arrest
Wood for contempt OF court. This the officer
refused do. This ended the attempt TO Dust
Wood for the night, and Justice Seaman depart
ed. after telling Gloon TO have a seal on hand
for Monday morning.
Then John Schroeder the janitor Of the build
ing, acting under orders from the court. came IN
with padlocks which the justice had ordered him
TO attach 70 the doors Of tho courtroom. He put
the supply room door and proceeded to
Put one on the main door 10 the courtroom. but
Robert c. Mccormick counsel for Wood and
Bruder. interposed his person. and proceedings
were brought 10 d halt Schroeder retired with
Gloon for consultation. and after a time Nc
Cornick decided that the door could be pad
locked as long the door leading into the hall
from the clerks room was left open for egress
and ingress. This was agreed on and Wood
HE &c laF, Of
room. Policeman Connolly remained on guard,
and was relieved at midnight by another police
.nan. Wood said that he would stay in the
room all night. sending out for his meals. He
hoped that cot which ne had ordered would
arrive on time He is in i'll health. being treated
for nervous prostration and heart trouble.
Keeping a lonely vigil within the court, Officer
Fisher remained there all night, guarding
against the possible forceful entry of any one
supposedly inimicable to the rights of Wood and
Bruder The steam was turned of in an effort
10 freeze him out.
Court Officer Fisher said he would remain in
the building all night. all day to-day and all
night Sunday, and that he expected TO be
leved Monday morning. Wood and Bruder
had gone for the night. They viii not return
until Monday morning. when they will resume
possession Of their room IN the court building.
Fisher has made arrangements with a nearby
restaurant to furnish him necessary food.
Il have decided not appeal this case to any
n the courts said the justice when asked what
his plans were regarding the situation OF the two
clerks i don't know whether to punish them
for contempt Of court. but if I do the punish
rnent Will be severe. l hope they Will come 10
their senses, but I do not think 7 will find it
necessary 10 20 TO any court 10 settle the case.
] have enough power, think.
L believe IN Civil Service but certain condi-
lions forced me to appoint substitutes for
Wood and Bruder AS / read the law, l have
z perfect right TO DO this Chapter Gao Of the
Acts of 1903 states that the justice OF a mu-
niciDal court has perfect right TO appoint a
temporary clerk and assistant
Mr. Mccormick. counsel for Wood and Bru-
der, said:
Under the law by which this court was Gre
eted Justice Seaman has no authority to ap-
point successors to the clerks named by ex-
Justice Bennett. The latter appointed TO
serve until January /. 1904. and they hold over
until their successors are legally appointed
Il suggested to Justice Seaman that he allow
Wood and Bruder 10 continue TO as clerk
and deputy clerk until the legal status of the
he fixed by the higher courts but the
Justice refused"