New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-31
LETTERS TO The EDITOR.
GODDARD ON MAGISTRATE TIGHE.
Why the ANTHOLOGY Society Thinks It Has
Won and the People Lost

To the Editor Of The Tribune
sir; The charges brought against Magistrate
Tighe' OF ProokIyn. by the ANTHOLOGY Society
were brought for the purpose of making it pos
sole for the society drive the policy game out
OF Brooklyn which was impossible as long as Tighe
discharged the persons we arrested. although the
evidence was sufficient which to hold them
proved by the fact that the very he discharged
in his court were subsequently indicted ty the
grand jury. and either became fugitves from JUS
tee or pleaded guilty. we're convicted
Now. when the charges were presented the court
appointed ex-Judge George q. Reynolds, as referee,
to take testimony His report, handed to the
court last January, practically sustained the
charges made by the Anthology Society. His re-
port ended with the following sentence:
COnsidssri4s the exDerisnccs Of the RESPONDENT
tribute what conceive 10 be so uniform course
I am unwiIlingIy forced 10 he conclusion that in
this class OF cases his bias IS SO extreme as TO
ton OF law in his
When that decision CT the referee was handed in,
the Ant-Poiicy Society gained its object for from
that day &c this magistrate has failed TO hold
policy prisoners the evidence o. which Tighcs
had formerly been discharging trer1. and thus the
only real obstacle to suppressing policy in Frook-
lyn was removed. and policy has since then been
suppressed in Brooklyn
Now. the Anti-Polcy Society was founded 10
suppress policy IN odc- New-Yolk. After consolt-
dauou, the society felt called extend its oD-
erations to all The boroughs of the greater city,
and IL has the proud satisfaction OF being able to
say that there is substantially policy to-day IN
the city of NewYoIk. A necessary step toward
cation of Magistrate T1ghe in respect TO what con-
stltuted sufficient evidence warrant and in fact.
force him 10 hold the prisoners.
The report Of eX-Jddse Reynolds undoubtedly &C
comphshed that education. and now Brooklyn is
free OF policy
Alter ex-JUd6e Reynolds decision handed
In. IL became q question whether the society
would make motion TO have Tighe removed; ana
II might be asked Y by the society, having accom-
phshed the substantial CbJect or its proceedings
against Tishe should go step further and ask TOR
what the name or any magistrate is The socl, "
only that the magistrate. whoever he is shalt
act in accordance with the law; and If5he is
now and has been acting in accordance with the
law since about the time the charges were fled
against him. ne - as satisfactory 20 the Anti
Policy Society, as a maglstrc te. anybody else
would be: therefore the society haG EOthing or
Importance 70 gain b. MS removal, but. neverthe
less moved for his removal on the ground Shat as
citizens of common city, owed II 70 the people
OF Brooklyn, part OF that city. relieve them. II
possible OF the burden OF magistrate whom the
referee regarded as either incompetent or corrupt
made and yesterday the Appellate Division Of the
Supreme Court handed down decision refusing
TO remove him.
To sum the matter I'D. therefore. from the point
of view OF the Anti-Policy Society, consider
that the Antt-Poiicy Society Won by the referees
decision and that the people Of Brooklyn lost BY
the decision Of the Supreme Court.
New-York July 30. 1904.