The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-19


classify all the persons thus interested
into various categories according to
their respective employments, it would
be impossible that each class should be
represented upon two boards consisting
Of only ten members in all. Then, again,
if the number Of persons composing a
particular class is TO control and entitle
il to representation. how about the agri-
cultural members Of the community?
II strikes US that the farmers who fur
nish most OF the business for the rail-
roads, and without whose Flooding toll
Mr.. CoCKRAN's -laboring masses" Al
well az all the rest Of us would presently
starve 10 death, might just as we'll insist
upon their right TO be represented on n
o both OF these boards. We fear, how
ever, that there is no chord Of sympathy
between Tammany and the farmers.
The second division Of Mr.. CocKRAN's
resolutions was devoted to the familiar
subject of the laws delay. II has be-
come quite the custom nowadays-one
countenanced. we regret 10 say, by the
powerful example of the President OF
the United States himself-to pitch into
the courts whenever a radical speaker
cannot find anything else convenient to
attack. In this State the enormous
volume Of business in the courts made it
manifest some years ago that legislation
was necessary in order TO prevent undue
delay in the disposition of litigation.
To that end careful investigations were
conducted by the Legislature and under
the auspices of the principal bar asso-
Citations. The conclusion was reached
that a very considerable addition TO the
judicial force was needed, and this has
been provided for and A large number of
lev Judges were elected last autumn and
assumed the discharge Of their duties
at the beginning Of the present year.
Sufficient time has not yet elapsed TO
settle the question, but there is every
indication that the services Of these new
Judges will afford the desired relief.
Mr.. CocKRAN's proposition TO appoint
temporary commissioners to preside at
jury trials was considered, and although
favored by some Of the bar associations
has " proved acceptable either TO
the Legislature or TO the people. if we
may judge from the expressions Of opin-
ion on that subject which have appeared
in the public press. The requirement
that decisions should be rendered more
speedily after cases have been submitted
for decision is unnecessary, as there
already exists a statutory provision in
0hA CAAa - Tts,,l prAnalprm ~, urLf1h
counsel can compel the decision Of a a
within twenty days or be entitled 10 a
new trial. The suggestion that the
Court of Appeals should be compelled u
decide any case. however important.
within three months must be based upon
a lack of acquaintance with the methods
Of that tribunal. Very few appeals are
heard before it which are not decided
within thirty days after argument. an1
not one in a hundred in which the case
is held under Amusement as long as two
months, unless it has been argued Just
before the summer vacation. Mr.. COCK
IA was satirical in regard 70 the habit
of the Appellate Divisions TO delay the
administration Of justice TO add to the
literature Of jurisprudence in the writing
Of lengthy opinions. As matter Of fact,
a very large proportion of the orders and
judgments reviewed by the Appellate
Division are affirmed without opinion,
and in any case of real importance and
difficulty to dispense with the writing Of
an opinion on appeal would inevitably
tend 70 lessen the care devoted TO its
consideration and determination.
Tammany Halls latest political output
affords a striking verifcation OF the old
saying that midsummer tends to breed
mad fancies indeed.