New-York tribune., 1906-06-08

the granting of the franchise OF the Broadway
surface railway took place before him In the Court
of Oyer and Terminer. He also laid down IN that
court principles relating TO the responsibilities OF
laboring men engaged in strikes, and upheld the
rights of the business men TO carry on their occu-
patons without suffering from the violence OF their
employees.
In some Of the trials in cases arising out of the
Investigations by the Lexow Committee he showed
the same attention public duty holding court at
times at the risk of his health and refusing 10 give
up his labors until all the work brought before him
finished.
Justice Barrett peculiarly clear. easy. forci-
Bile and attractive style of composition. and his
written opinions formed agreeable reading in the
usually dull pages OF the law reports.
George C Barrett born in Dublin. Ireland
on July %. 1888. His father was the Rev Gilbert
Carter Barrett a clergyman OF the Established
Church In 1874 when the younger Barrett was
six wears OF age. the father sent as a mis-
slonary 10 the Oneida Indians in Canada. and the
future justice lived the bank OF the Canadian
river Thames until he thirteen years OF age
Then the elder Barrett died and the boy soon
came 10 this city He studied at the Columbia
Grammar School and at Columbia College out ne
left the latter institution before taking degree
For a time he wrote for newspapers While studElhg
law.
IN 1861 soon after being admitted to the bar.
he was elected civil justice in the 9th Judicial Dis
trct of the city. Although he was only twenty
five years old and bad not had an extended ex-
q e
on the bench that he elected a Judge OF the
Court of Common Pleas in 1861 TO fill unex-
pired term. The term expired in 1863 and he re-
tired from the bench for a short time. He was
active in opposition TO Tammany Hall after the
Tweed ring exposures, and he signed the call for
the meeting of September J. 1871. at which the Com
mittee of Seventy appointed
He was selected as the counsel Of the committee.
and September T. 1871. he procured from Justice
George Barnard the famous order enjoining Rich
oyd u llzy Fro a a
few days later he appeared before Judge Barnard
in support Of this injunction. being opposed by the
late William o. Bartlett and Richard OGorman.
ConueIlys resignation and the appointment OF
Andrew H. Green Controller followed. Mr.. Bar
rett's services during the subsequent proceedings
that were instituted against the Tweed ring were
of the highest order, and on October ls, ISL ne
was nominated by the Apollo Hall Democrats 10
succeed Josiah Sullivan as a justice Of the Su-
preme Court His nomination was indorsed by the
Committee Of Seventy the Municpa! Council of
Reform and the Republicans, and he was elected
with majority of 400 votes
Justice Barrett took his seat on the bench Of the
Supreme Court January l. 1872 When he pre-
sided over murder trials in the Court OF oyer and
Terniner he won a nigh reputation for fairness
impartiaty and freedom from bias. Richard
Croker who afterward the boss of Tammany'
was tried before Justice Barrett on the charge OF
homicide, but acquitted
Justice Barrett's first term of Office as member
of the Supreme Court expired December 81, 1885.
but in October he was IenOminated by Tammany
Hall Mr.. Croker placing him In nomination, and
he received the Endorsement OF the Republicans
and of the County Democracy. His reelection to
Office in November by an almost unanimous
vote. and on January !. 1856, he began his second
term
Justice Barrett in his second term presided at
many important trials IN the Court of oyer ana
Terminer He became member Of the Appellate
Division OF the Supreme Court under the law
which abolished the Court OF Oyer and Termlner III
which he had become widely known.
When the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court
was instituted, Justice Barrett became one Of its
Judges, but in 1900 believing that changes In the
membership OF that body produced good results
and having q great personal desire 10 get back 10
trial WORK. he asked Governor Roosevelt 10 be al
Supreme Court until the end OF 1905 when failing
health caused him 10 resign. AT his request he was
appointed official referee by the Appellate Dl-
vision, the first 10 be appointed under the laws OF
1905
Justice Barrett was as a lawyer. counsel in many
more. Notable among them were the doodle al
dernen trials He was trial judge IN the case or
Ferdinand Ward, the 'frenzed flnancier." who
wrecked the hrm in which General Grant a
partner, and helDed along the wreck of the Marine
Bank OF which James y. Fish was president
Fish was convicted before Justice Barrett
In private life Justice Barrett was 4 favorite
with all VINO anew him. He had an extensive
knowledge or literature. both French and English,
and he had literary ambition which led him 10
views. He also several plays which failed
to become popular although one, An American
Marriage" was produced at Wenack's Theatre in
1883 He was q member Of the Century Associa-
tion. the Metropolitan Manhattan Democratic.
Barnard. Mendelssohn Glee and Riding clubs