New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-24
FOR "POOR MANS COURT. +"
Bill to Garry out Governors Vie7c8
Ready for Introduction.
IBy Telegraph 70 The tribune. ]


Albany Feb. 22-Announcenent was made here
to-day that Il bin would be introduced on Monday
night providing for reorganization Of the munich
pal court system In New York City 20 effect the
changes suggested IN Governor HuGhess message
10 this Legislature. The measure is beins pre-
pared b. the legislative committee Of the NItlzens
Union Il Will provide for d redlvision e the
city into municipal court districts laid out along
natural boundaries instead Of districts carved
arbitrarily and Of varying size and population
the present ones are 1T viii make an increase
in the number Of judges. so thai if one becomes
sick the entire system OF rotation need NOT De
thrown out II Cea-.
In describing the measure Julius Henry Cohen'
chairman Of the Committee on legislation or the
Citizens Union which has been studying the nuIllC-
ipal court situation for several months, said.
We have gone over The matter Of reconstrueti3ng
the municipal courts very carefully, conterIing
with the judges and with large NUMBER OF iaM
gers. and have come 10 The CONCLUSION mar 49,
dstricr lines Were laid out before the civil war,
by the carving out here and there new districts
oar plan, 10 Manhattan. Tor example, Is 20 re-
s.rease The 1uTnbeT Of 3iees our bin at present
Manhattan, apportioned to the several districts lt
cordng 10 population ana business. me dls,IiciS
so far laid out are roughly. Two districts SCUM oI
l4th street divided by the EoweTy ana ,oAnye e5I
street; three between 18th and 5Sth streets, dlVlGed
10y Lexington avenue and Eighth avenue; two be
Avenue or LeEinsJoh avenue .iI.u wv Io' g." "a
10Th street; divided by lenoX avenue. .,,;,
provide for rotation excapr nan there must be in
each district devoted landlord and tenant cases
TO restore the poor mans court which has been
lost through the increase in the jurisdiction OF the
court and the enactment of n code OF PROCEDURE me
judges viii also be able create parts for trial
OF jury cases and other special classes Of cases.
The plan al E'ore Judges than districts. with
rotation Of judges and with The court sitting IN
viii avoid The SITUATION now ezisting where one
h1E = ted
with the result that The district to which he has
been assigned, each month has been without a
suf1ciently so that Il business of the court can
judges 70 be off the bench al time. Who can if
necessary be called o7 10 sit temporarily.
are retained and reassigned 70 the new districts
ce7,-s All ~ zif - az , ~, ,i,I -
out because we are aN aitns some suggestions.
One Of the most careful OF the Municipal Court
justices 10 whom the plan SHOWN said:
consider your suggestions for a construction or
redistrictng u districts most excellent What we
work. Second plan which win enable US to hold
A. least two parts IN one work labor and service
delay and in the other trials of important {
cases may be had vItbout requiring busy lawyers
tening 10 the calling Of a calendar and trial of /
T6iT-Ths plan ssgesed you'd have The adyan-
10 a district being established the number could |
thereafter be increased without constant agitation
efficiency Of any court that il should be subject
to constant changes or anticipation thereof.
Fourth-If the city IS ever to establish and main
tain adequate and creditabe cOurhouses, the num-
her OF districts should not be greater actually
necessary to have readily accessible since the city
cannot properly maintain the present number Of
courthouses without inorGnate expense
What hoping and asking for is a consistent
and elastic plan for the Justices conduct OF the
court, which may enable conduct Il with |
stability and dignity and more for the con- |
venience Of the public than hitherto has been
possible.
Governor Hughes, IN his message smoke Of the
great congestion in the municipal courts as follows
IN the municipal courts in the Borough Of Man