New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-16
LAWS DELAY REPORT.
MORE JUDGES NEEDED.
Commissioners at $40, 900 to SerUe as
Referees and Condemn Property.

J. Noble Hayes. counsel for the Commission
on the Laws Delay. appointed by Governor
Odeu went to Albany yesterday and filed the
report of the commission and drafts of the bills
10 carry its recommendations into effect. The
report covers about one hundred typewriter
pages. 1t reviews the work OF all the courts Of
New York and Kings counties, the Supreme, APP
pellate and City courts for six years. begin
ming with consolidation, and the six years work
Of the constituent courts prior to that date and
the courts of other cities at some length. The
report reviews in great detail the referee sys-
tenn and the work of condemnation commission
ers for the last seven years. and the expenses
connected with the administration of justice in
both departments.
The remedies suggested consist in part OF three
constitutional amendments. There is recon-
mendation approving the Mills amendment, So
called. to be voted upon by the people, which
gives the legislature power to provide four new
judges for New-York County and thirteen new
judges for the Id Department. The report says
it is not TO be presumed that the legislature will
increase the number of judges to any such ex-
tent, as the lid Department will not need
more than four more judges. 1t recommends
that the present restraints which the consti-
tuition imposes the legislature in increas-
ing the number OF judges shall be entirely re-
moved. so that the legislature may increase
the judicial force in its discretion. provided any
act so increasing it be passed by two-thirds
majority of both houses.
The report further recommends q constitu-
tional amendment, providing that in all appeals
questions of law solely in which Ques-
ton of fact is involved, appellant may ap
peal directly TO the Court Of Appeals. further
constitutional amendment suggested is that the
time for the election of Supreme Court judges
shall be changed so that judicial elections shall
occur IN odd years at the same time as mu-
nicipai elections, and not the same year as gem
eral elections. in order that the Importance OF
these elections may not be lost sight Of in the
national and State campaigns.
The central feature of the legislative recon-
mendations is that providing Supreme Court
commissioners for counties having population
Of upward Of five hundred thousand, who are
TO be permanent body Of officers. to exercise
the functions of referees. and the functions ex-
ercised by commissioners in condemnation pro-
ceedings and TO act as trial commissioners 10
sit and try cases on the calendars OF the courts
with without jury. which may be brought
before them. These commissioners are to be APP
pointed for ten years at salaries OF $1,000 a
year each, to be paid by the county. each COM
missioner to appoint a stenographer at $1,000
year. These commissioners are to be appointed
by the appellate divisions OF the departments In
which the counties embraced in the act are sit
uated, with the approval OF the Court of APP
peals.
Another recommendation for amendment OF
the code provides that in all actions in which
the City Court has jurisdiction. If brought in
the Supreme Court. the plaintiff must recover
upward of $500 to entitle him TO costs. Enact
ment OF law is recommended prohibiting under
severe penalties the payment Of money any
thing of value by candidate for judicial office
in advance or thereafter as a contribution 10,
the political party or the persons nominating
him. directly In reimbursement for money so
paid advanced A similar prohibition is
recommended against receiving such contribu-
tons from judicial candidates or on their ac-
count.
A feature OF the report is n series OF tables
showing the work OF all the judges OF both re-
partments in the Supreme Court. resident and
assigned. the number Of cases tried by each and
the monthly terms OF service in each part OF the
court These tables deal in great detail with the
work OF individual Judges and show the stand
ing Of each judge as TO aftirmances and re-
Versals on appeal
Some OF the judges have objected TO having
their names given in connection with these
tables, and the judges names have accordingly
been suppressed and numbers have been substi-
tuted. Averages have been made up to ascertain
the capacity OF judge in dsposing OF business.