The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-04-26
new YORK LETTER

New York, April 23.-Following a
long series OF newspaper exposures a
bill has been introduced in the legis,
lature at Albany for a thorough inves'
tigation OF all the workings of the
magistrates courts and the court OF
special sessions in this city. These
tribunals are what might be called the
courts Of the people. At least eighty
percent of the people know no others
except the municipal district courts
IN which civil suits for trifling amounts
are settled. There are five magls.
tTates courts in Manhattan and a
number in the other boroughs The
court OF special sessions Is made up
of justices who try mlsdemeanor cases
and the like that are sent to them by
police or magistrates court and they
have no Jurisdiction over cases of
felony which are tried in still another
criminal court, the court OF general
sessions. This latter tribunal IL not
10 be within the scope OF the proposed
Investigation although there is now a
scandal going on there In relation 10 the
administration Of Justice. There has
been no denial by the magistrates Of
the charges made In the newspaper
exposure. II is charged that appoint.
ments to that bench are made almost
entirely for political reasons, and that
the results have been, TO put II mildly,
a very loose and unfair administration
of Justices In a majority Of the courts
Il is alleged anybody with a political
pull can get OF when the magistrate
has the final disposition OF the case.
II is also charged that several Of the
magistrates. including Walsh and
Finn, the latter being known as Bat.
terry DAN" are disqualified for the
place because they are active district
leaders In Tammany Hall. There was
a great uproar In Walsh's district at
the primaries last year. when an OPP
position candidate was put up TO beat
him out OF the leadership. There were
many fights and rows and several
cases arising from the scraps were
brought before him when he was sit
ting In the Harlem court.
II the bill becomes law the com.
mission appointed TO make the investi. |
cation will have sweeping powers. The
members will have power to compel |
witness 10 testify and they will have /
access TO all records OF the inferior |
criminal courts.
There is rod in pickle for the traf
hc pagnates In this town of many |
transportation lines, II behooves them
TO look well into the conduct Of their
business hereafter. The rod referred
TO is an association OF women which
now has membership Of 40 and
Which has been named the Society for
the Protection OF Passengefs' Rights.
They propose 20 make Investigations
this summer OF all things pertaining
70 the transportation problem which
heretofore mere man has grappled
with In vain, and woe betide the man.
ayers II any infractlons of the regu.
lations imposed upon them are dis.
covered Even as there are spoilers"
TO take note Of the short comings of
the motormen aud conductors, so from
now on thore will be those who in
turn will note wherein the company
fails in It's duty 20 the public. Al.
ready the glad news has spread to the
outefboroughs and women In Brook
lyn and far Staten Island are 'prepar-
ing to follow the example Of the so
oiety In Manhattan.
Indianapolis. April Ex-senator