The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-28
JEROME TACKLHSC.F. MURPHY
PIECE ABOUT EX.BARTENDERS,
AND THE SPECIAL SESSIONS.
Tho District Attorney wants Fuller Re-
appointed Chief Clerk--says Murphy
Ii Debating the Appointment Of Cu,kin
Also Says Bench Has Dcteriorated.

Ii Debating the Appointment Of Cuikln
-AisO Says Bench Has DcteriOrated.
District Attorney Jerome about whose
probable denomination much has been said
In various political cam ps ,has locked horns
with Charles F. Murphy, leader Of Tammany
Hall, on the appointment Of a successor OF
William NJ. Fuller az Chief Clerk Of the Court
of Special Sessions. Mr.. jerome thinks
that Mr.. Fuller should be reappointed and
he says practically that Mr.. Murphy has
ordered the Democratic Justices Of Special
Sessions to appoint Charles w. Culkin. one
OF Tammany Leader Keahon's lieutenants,
who resigned as Alderman from keahons
district a few months ago. Culkin an
nounoed when he got out Of the Board OF
Aldermen that he was going into the con-
tracing business with Keahon, but around
the Criminal Courts Building 1t has been
understood that he was to succeed Fuller.
Republican, whose term expired on July /.
This is Mr.. Jeromes statement:
sunless am misinformed 1t has been
decided that william Fuller, who has been
the Chief Clerk Of Special Sessions for
nearly ten years. will be removed or de-
graded to an inferior position some time
this week and an ex-bartender appointed
in his place. have been informed that
three OF the Justices Of Special Sessions
have discussed the removal Of Mr.. Fuller
with Charles F. Murphy, the leader Of Tam
many Hall. Two Of tho Justices have urged
the retention Of Mr.. Fuller az Chief Clerk
OF that court. calling the attention Of Mr..
Murphy to his efficiency and his general
good management OF the affairs OF that court.
When one Of them was speaking to Mr..
Murphy Of the qualifications Of Mr. Fuller
for the office he now holds he was informed
by Mr.. Murphy that II necessary one OF
the Justices could 60 to the clerks office
and oversee the management Of the clerical
work OF the court until the man who Is
slated for the position became familiar
with the duties OF that Office.
.Now ] shall continue to believe these
statements until they have been denied
by man of honor. OF course was not at
any of these conferences with Mr.. Murphy,
but nv information Is reliable, and ! re-
peat that shall continue to believe 1t until
it is denied by a man OF honor.
This situation now pre- sents itself for
the serious consideration OF the citizens
OF this community. The Court OF Special
Sessions Is one OF the most important
courts in the city-I may say as i'm
portant as the Supreme Court, when the
citizens at large are concerned. An ISSUE
should be made Of this. 1t Is high time
that the people should know whether their
interests can be dictated by an ex-bartender.
With all this talk Of clean administration
It strikes mo that it Is a very serious ques-
ton when an efficient public servant is
to be removed for the purpose Of making
a place for an ex-bartender. and that solely
for political reasons.
Il have absolutely nothing against a bar
tender. But l have been in a position to
see the work that has been done in Special
Sessions. Mr.. Fuller has ably, faithfully
and conscientiously performed the duties
of his Office. And it seems to me that when
1t comes to appointing in his place man
untried for the position, however unique
the qualifications Of bartender may be,
it ia time that the citizens Of this city should
know what is going on.
Il have noticed general deterioration
in the work of Special Sessions since 1t
was originally organized in July, 1895. The
members Of the original court were, SC
far as know. connected practically in nc
way with the political activities Of either
party. But as time has gone on and Others
have taken their places there has been a
| marked increase In the appointment oil
men with more or less political affiliation
I state now that the fines for disorderly
house keepers and violators OF the excise
Law have decreased to almost minimum
As a matter of fact, the established fine
now for violator Of the excise law is $40
Also it is tru that the number OF acquittals
| in excise cases has increased.
II would not speak OF these things nov
were they not Of vital importance to the
public. Before the organization OF the
| Court of Special Sessions the police ser
eeant and the police Magistrate were the
sovereigns looked up to by great per
oentage Of the citizens Of this city. The
Court Of Special Sessions was established
to remedy the evils which heretofore hac
existed, and it Is a very serious matter wher
this court, which was established on 80
high a plane, begins to deteriorate ant
polite, Is injected into it by an ex-bar'
tender"
Mr.. Jerome said that the law crea tins
the Court OF Special Sessions had beer
drawn by a committee composed OF sucf
eminent lawyers as Elihu Root, Joseph H
Choate, Francis M. Scott, James C. Carter
James Kilbreth, Louis Delafeld, Henry
Beekman, c. c. Beaman, William B. Horn
blower, Albert T. Stickney, Cornelius N
Bliss and Abram s. Hewitt. Messrs. Hewitt
and Bliss ere the only members of the com
mittee not lawyers. Mr.. Jerome was {
member also.
.No amount Of capital. suppose, sale
Mr.. Jerome, "could gather together sucl
q yet Of men for advice. These men. afte
carefu l consideration and much discussion
decided On every feature of the law. ]
was intended that the salary should be mad
attractive, 70 that aJustice should not hav'
| to devote his time to any business or b
e,,bservient to any political leader or to IS
| These men had in mind court that would
conserve the interests OF the public.
| 1,nVyD ~ % lrKS Under EI1IT0N st