The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-01
POLITICS MUDDLES JUSTICE.
SCANDAL AGAIN RISING ABOUT
OUR POLICE COURT BENCH.

the POOlrOOms. Another the Roulette
Games. Another the Liquor saloons.
The recent political activity Of the Tam
many Hall Police Magistrates has been 90
conspicuous az to cause widespread COM
ment and TO prompt the inquiry whether the
Board Of Magistrates Of this town had again
fallen into the low estate Of Van Wyck
days, when justice in the only courts that
nne-tenths OF the people know was bartered
openly for political favor or for graft. An
Investigation Of police court conditions has
resulted in practically a unanimous response
from all familiar with them-reputable and
disreputable lawyers, runners. touts, honest
and dishonest clerks, court attendants,
reporters, ward workers and district lead
rs, police officials, charity workers; in fact,
every one whose business has to do in any
way closely or remotely with police courts
and it is this;
With the exception Of four, or possibly
FIVE, Of the fourteen Magistrates Of Man
haitian and The Bronx never were the
Magistrates more actively engaged in
politics than at present; never was political
pull more active in subverting justice when
occasion demands it; never were the Maxis-
trates more openly the agents Of Tammany
Hall on the bench.
Whether the venal days have returned
IL another matter, but it is open gossip
that one Magistrate not only represents
the pc olroom interests but il the actual
owner Of a poolroom; that another is the
representative on the bench OF the higher
grade gamblers; that others speak for the
liquor dealers interests. to the extent that
the police have practically quit bringing
excise cases before them; that it is possible
10 pay for decisions Of certain kinds, and
that the shield Of corruption in the old days
adjournment, adjournment, adjournment.
until all hands are tired out and satisfactory
arrangements are made-is again being
worked to the fullest extent.
1t is notorious that favorite bondsmen
ave a monopoly before certain MaRis-
trates. The rumor has run through police
court regions that a certain Magistrate
paid to some one SIS. 900 for his present ap-
pointment. and Of attempts 10 get back
that SIS, 900 there are scandalous stories.
Moreover the general opinion is ex-
pressed that illiteracy, ignorance Of the
law, ~vulgarity, cheap appeals to the mob
spirit, neglect Of work, when politics de-
mands attention, we're never more preva-
lent than at present.
That the political activity Of the Makis-
is beginning to attract attention out
side Of police court quarters Is shown by
this excerpt from the September number
Of the magazine devoted to legal subjects
as the Bench and B6r, printed under
the heading City Magistrates and Dis
trict Leaders,: !
Offices more incompatible cannot be con-
ceived than that Of a City Magistrate and
district leader. No City Ma gistrate with a
proper and adequate conception Of his ju-
dicisl responsibility and functions. and with
sensibilties unblunted. can seek for or retain
4 district Leadership. We hope and believe
he day will come when an enlightened public |
sentiment will render impossible such a
peretricious union OF Offices In the same
Individual.
To make plain the gravity~of the union Of
district leader and City Magistrate the
Bench and Bar adds:
A New York City Magistrate possesses.
probably. a greater power for good or evil
han any other single individual in his COM
nunity, The City Magistrates are, or should
be. the real custodians and guardians of the
conscience. The City Magistrates
ire nearest the people.
The district leader must be a vote getter
~ dltne COTFupJlnB metnOuS Oh a meTCenaTy, I
raft throttled age. He must be- a machine |
with everything that this now
,pprobrious term has come to imply. He
be a partisan to whom partisan ship |
s life's breath and daily sustenance.
Six Tammany police Magistrates were
conspicuous in their attendance at the
'eoent Democratic State convention at
They we're Charles g. F. Wahle, |
G.. Walsh. Daniel f. Finn, Joseph
Moss, Henry Steinert and William A.
Two of them are district leaders,
linn and Walsh, in the First and Twenty
irst Assembly districts. respectively. Wahle
3 one Of the right hand men Of Borough
Haffen in The Bronx, and for all
purposes is a district leader.
doss ia known "a Charles F. Murphy's man
the board. Finn has been conspicuous
n the Tammany machine for years and
Sweetser was appointed because
District Leader James Hagan wanted him
m the bench. Steinert also got his place
Is a Magistrate for political reasons, as did
Magistrate Alexander Finelite, who is
out everywhere as Borough Presi-
Ahesrn's man.
Two Of the Magistrates who were at
have beer mentioned as probable
dnuldaueS Tor supreme court JUSTICES on
he Tammany ticket at the coming election.
hey are Wahle and Walsh. Practically
very one Of the Tammany Magistrates,
Including Breen and Mayo, not mentioned
has his lightning rod up and pointed
oward Charles F. Murphy in the hope Of
tetting such a nomination. IL means
800 a year for fourteen years. 1t is
that the candidates are using
very agency in their power to have Murphy
them. If chosen they will be
choice rather than that OF the
Democratic party. II is common gossip
hat nc political favor hat a police Magis-
rate can extend from the bench has been
eglected by these men to gain Murphy's
influence or to advance the party's inter-
SITS.
At the Buffalo convention Wahle. Walsh.
and Moss led divisions in the Tam
many parade. They were conspicuous
n their personal attendance on Murphy.
lie did not lack for political Wallets for
! single moment They were part Of the
egal advisory board that devised the
cheme Of throwing the Williams, Rush
nd Maggie deleg atoms out Of the con-
ention so that these men might be turned
ut Of the Tammany executive committee
aNar - 49, 100 49, A.. L.-L--