The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1909-08-18
TWO NOTED JURISTs
FAVOR AMENDMENTS
Why Pltney and Van SyckIe Are
For Judiciary Changes.
To the Press and Public Of New


Jersey;
Gentlemen--In the New York Press
OF the 18th inst. appeared brief
but 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 G. Pitney, the
father of the present chancellor Of
New Jersey, as "wily old jurists" Is
not n 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 ean remember IA single act or
deed OF either man which duls the
luster of his life. Van SICKLE is n
Democrat, Pitney Republican. Both
are 40 aged that their remaining days
among us can be but few. Van SICKLE
Is seyenty-nine, Pitney eighty-two.
Roth are men with unimpaired mental
activity. Pitney still continues his
bank work and enjoys travel. Van
SICKLE delights every one who comes
in contact with him and is still occa-
sionally in active practice as counsel
In large cases. Pitney was judge OF
our equity court for eight years. Van
Syckle was u justice of our supreme
court for thirty five years. Van SICKLE
resigned five years ago, Pitncy resign
ed two years ago, both because they
wished to live long and In perfect
health. Their advanced years would
not 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
aud noble In spirit and intent. they are
deyoting their remaining energy to aid
In 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' Pit
ney favors the change In the courts,
although Its effect would he to deprive
his own son of his present exalted po-
sition ms the highest judge In the en-
tire state of New Jersey.
Just n word as to what these ju-
dietary amendments will do. Their
purpose IL not to give -four lawyers
fat 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 more speedy trial
and determination Of issues. Suitors
want their cases finally decided quick
ly. The Independent court Of appeals
Is intended to bring this about The
court sitting only as an appellate court
will 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 IA cause until
six months after, In fairness to suItors,
1t ought to be heard and will be hea I'd
| by the new court. Most Of the injus-
tice done by courts to sultors is caused
| by delay
The proposed amendments will again
make II possible for the supreme court
Judges to try cases In the counties.
giving lltlgants in counties the right
to try their cases before the county
Judge or the supreme court Judge.
The supreme court judges by the pres
ent cumbrous system are hardly ever
able to 20 to their counties.
The courts as al present constituted
were established about sixty-fve years
ago and were admirably well suited to
New jerseys needs for many decades.
For the past fifteen years 1t 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
In 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. can fairly say they
meet with the approval Of the circuit
court judges. They favor the amend
ments, although their adoption by the
people puts their court out OF bust
ness and at the end 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 aud court of appeals and
IL thoroughly familiar with the court
needs Of the state fayors these amend
ments Tn" present chancellor ap-
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 will have to study anew
the system Of courts, but that will be