New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-02
DISLIKE ROTATION Law.
Dissatisfaction Among Justices Of
Municipal Courts

The dissatisfaction with which nearly all the
justices of the fourteen municipal courts In this
borough view the monthly rotation law is grow
ing daily. particularly some of the justices
think that all the easy" courts are given to
favored few. The assignments of the justices
are made by the Board Of City Magistrates
The only justices who are satisfied with the
present system are Justices Roesh, Hoffman and
Saunders, who were elected in the districts
where the work is the hardest. Most of the
business before their courts is between aliens
and SINISTER" lawyers The law provides that
they shall serve one month I'm the district from
which they were elected and then five months
in other districts.
In The Bronx and Richmond there are only
two courts, and the justices have to alternate
although the law requires them TO be away from
their own courts. A similar state exists III
Queens. where there are three courts. In Brook
lyn the scheme works sc newhat more salts
factorily. although the distances between the
courts make the work of the justices hard.
According to several opinions. Justices Fallon
and joseph have drawn more than their share
OF easy courts this year, as has Justice Hoff-
man while Justices Roesh and Sanders have re-
ceived the pick of the assignments. On the
other hand. Justices Lauer. Seaman and Nc
Iaughlin have each been assigned TO three
had" courts Justice Mclaughlin, III addition,
filling I'm some of Justice Lynn's time in the
4th District, one of the hardest in the city.
Justice Worcester. who recently did a turn in
this court had his health undermined by the
uDsaritary condition Of the building.
Aside from the favoritism which is charged.
there are many other reasons set forth by the
justices why the rotation system should be
ended. one justice summarized them last night
as follows:
Cases constantly come up IN which one justice
is called upon pass upon the actions of another.
without knowing anything of the circumstances
which Influenced his disposition of the
It is impossible become sufficiently acquainted
certain court TO know which attorney is always
seeking delay and imposing upon the court with
speciolIs excuses for adjournments and to know
those who are in the habit in trying their cases
unless actually unable TO do so by proper reasons.
1t is necessary 10 know such methods of lawyers
10 do justice in granting adjournments or refusing
them
There is the same necessity 10 become acquainted
with the methods of landlords and misunderstanding
who are always moving and never pay rent, etc.
It is impossible TO exercise any control over jul
during rotation. The same is true in regard
10 methods in the clerks Office.
There is also the manifest absurdity of certify
ing each month on tho payroll that the various
officials of the court have properly performed their
duties In the last month, when the justice may not
have set eyes them AZ all, and cannot know
whether they have been present or absent in the
month
It is most important that East Side courts be
presided over BY Justice OF the and
faith understanding the language, character,
habits and business methods Of his people.