The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-10-14

10 hear what IL said AGAINST him and to
make reply. II is not the rule, however,
and from the opening OF court until its
close it iB hustle hustle all the time. and the
accused person u not the hustler but the
Gradually there has crown up in these
courts q system a machine OF which
some Magistrates are an integral part
and some are not. Whether the Magis-
trate ID part OF il or not he finds himself
carried along with the procession, and his
hands are practically tied, even II he tries
to struggle against it. Many points Of
law come before him in unexpected ways.
This b notably SO in the Tombs police court.
where commercial cases often come up
that are on the border line between grand
larceny and actions for the civil courts.
After the great rush OF caring for morning
prisoners " over there are Others where
It is necessary to hold long examinations.
with counsel on both sides, to see W hether
IL Is a case to be sent to a higher court.
THE sTEADY IL OF PRISONERS.
While these examinations are going on
long lines Of fresh prisoners are being
brought into court. A thoughtful Judge
will suspend his examinations frequently
TO dispose OF these cases. There are ex-
c~sptions to this rule. About a month ago
Magistrate Finelite had an examination in
a case in the Tombs court where q young
woman bad been arrested for not returning
certain gifts to q man to whom she a
been engaged to be married. The mar
charged her with larceny. The case lasted
from 2:i5 to S p. M. Before it was finished
a line Of fifty prisoners had been strung
out. The accused were charged mostly
with minor offences, ranging from intoXica-
ton to violating the rules OF the road.
Among them was a batch Of eighteen drivers
who had been taken from their trucks at
noon. Their teams bad been left at the
station houses. The business OF their
employers was held up five hours.
When the Magistrate at last decided to
take up their cases he discharged them all.
While they were waiting the temperature in
the o was nearly 90 degrees, and in this
stihing heat the prisoners, some Of whom
were women, were compelled to stand.
One great source Of confusion in the
courts arises from the conduct OF the So
called police court lawyers. As a rule, they
are men Of exceeding cunning. When a
lawyer Of high standing comes to the police
court in the preliminary proceedings Of a
case he Is usually wise enough to-allow
police court lawyer. TO manage the case.
These lawyers and their m are bar
gaining, running in and out, arguing before
The Magistrate and mixing up things gen.
orally 70 long az there seems to be an
available dollar In sight. 1t has been a COM
mon occurrence for the Magistrate to rise
in his wrath and shoe the entire batch away
from the space where the prisoners are
After the cases are disposed Of the police.
man on the bridge is usually instructed to
shout:
ANYBODY want 10 see the Judge7"
Then comes a rush from the court roomfo
warrants and summonses. Many Of the
cases are referred to the clerks to draw
up the papers. Some OF these clerks are
sIrly, and some are worse. others are
obliRfng and Of great integrity. Wrangling
often breaks out in preparing the papers.
Often a fst fight occurs In court or a des-
perate prisoner attempts an assault, illus
trating the need Of policemen in these
courts, rather than court attendants. for the
sake OF mere safety.
THE COME % -MoRBow' DECIsToNg.
In SOM OF the courts when the Magis-
trate has become tired IL Is too frequently
the custom for him TO tell those in court
that he will Issue no summonses or warrants
that day. Dozens Of persons may have
been waiting TO see the Judge. Some OF
these cases are urgent. Those seeking
redress nave often been waiting for hours
10 zee the Judge.
Come back tomorrow they are told.
Sometimes they are told again 20 come back
on still another day. Many Of the Magis-
tnatea, however, arc 90 conscientious that
80 90 not ~ 4s~~ @y y
49, $50 - 20 Dc