The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-08-17
TWO NOTED JURISTS
FAVOR AMENDMENTS
Why pltney and Van SICKLE Are
For Judiciary Changes.
no the Press and Public Of New


of the 18th inst appeared a brief
hut pithy paragraph challenging the
motives of ''some willy old jurists who
have friends in line for executive con-
sideration" advocating the adoption Of
the proposed judiciary amendments.
/ wish to present the other side of
the proposition.
To characterize ex-Supreme Court
Justice Bennett Van SICKLE and ex-
Vice Chancellor Henry c. Pitney, the
father of the present chancellor of
New Jersey, as "wily old jurists'' is
not proper appreciation of these men.
Van Syckle and Pitney are two men
whose lives have been pure and noble
so long that there are few men alive
who can remember when they earn
ed their high reputation. No man
alive can remember a single act or
deed of either man which dulls the
Iuster of his life. Van SICKLE is a
Democrat, Pitney a Republican. Both
are so aged that their remaining days
among us can be but few. Van SICKLE
is seventy-nine, Pitney eighty-two.
activity. Pitney still continues his
bank work and enjoys travel. Van
Eyckle delights every one who comes
In contact with him and is still Occa-
Ef0nally in active practice as counsel
In large cases. Pitney was judge of
our equity court for eight years. Van
Syckle was justice of our supreme
court for thirty five years. Van SICKLE
resigned five years ago, Pitney resign
ed two years ago, both because they
wishad to live long and in perfect
health. Their advanced years would
mot permit of their giving the old num-
Der of hours day to their work and
they had too much spirit to continue to
hold their judgeships and not do their
full share of the work.
Rich in experience and learning, pure
and noble in spirit and intent, they are
devoting their remaining energy to aid
ia the adoption of these amendments
only because they wish to contribute
something more to their native state
which has so signally honored them.
They are not willy old jurists.o Pit
ney favors the change In the courts,
although it's effect would be to deprive
IBIS own son of his present exalted po-
sition as the highest Judge in the en-
tire state of New Jersey.
Just a word as to what these jul
dietary amendments will do Their
purpose is not to give -four lawyers
rat jobs" They actually reduce the
number Of Judges and result in the
state paying out less money to its
judges. They do not change the law
or equity procedure or the basic law
of our state. They are intended in
the interest of the people of the state
of New Jersey and suitors in her
courts to provide a more speedy trial
and determination of issues. Suitors
want their cases finally decided quick
". The independent court of appeals
is intended to bring this about The
court sitting only as an appellate court
win be able to dispose of all its bust
ness each term. The present appel
late court, having other duties to per-
form, cannot even hear cause until
six months after, in fairness to suitors,
1t ought to be heard and viii be heard
by the new court. Most of the injus-
tice done by courts to suitors is caused
by delay.
The proposed amendments will again
make 1t possible for the supreme court
judges to try cases in the counties,
giving litigants in counties the right
to try their cases before the county
judge or the supreme court Judge
The supreme court judges by the pres
emit cumbrous system are hardly ever
able to go to their counties.
The courts as at present constituted
were established about sixty-five years
ago and were admirably well suited to
New Jerseys needs for many decades
For the past fifteen years it has grown
more and more apparent that new
system of courts was necessary to
avoid delay. Governor Voorhees,. Gov
ernor Murphy and Governor Stokes
have all recognized it. Governor Stokes
appointed the commission which pre-
pared the constitutional amendment
I'm order to get the relief necessary. A
number of legislatures have recognized
the need for the proposed amendments.
These amendments have been passed
by large majorities in the legislatures
of last year and the year before They
have been approved by large majori-
ties of the lawyers in the county
bar associations and In the State Bar
association l can fairly say they
meet with the approval of the circuit
court judges. They favor the amend
ments, although .theirsndoption by the
people puts thefE seotirt out. of BUSH
ness and at ther-cnu OF their terms
their judicial usefulness The vice
chancellors seem to all approve the
proposed amendments. The press of
New Jersey seems to be almost unani-
mously in favor Of the amendments
The present governor of New Jersey
who sat for many years in the SUI
preme court and court of appeals and
is thoroughly familiar with the court
needs of the state, favors these amend.
ments. The present chancellor APP
proves the amendments, although they
do away with his pre-eminence.
The lawyers of the state will not be
affected one way or the other by the
change of the courts. The change will
slightly decrease the number of judges.
The lawyers win have to study anew
the system of courts, but that will be
about as far as the proposed changes