New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-25
THE PAROLE AND CRIME
Bar Committee investigates e.
feet of Suspended Sentences.
ALL MINUTES RANSACKED
Association Best Fitted to Punish
Judges, Says Fosdick, Turn
ing Data Over TO It.

Raymond p. Fosdick, Commissioner ~
Accounts. who has been investigating the
records Of the General Sessions Court. CON
ferred yesterday with Einar Chrystie. coun-
sci for the grievance committee Of the Bar
Association. which body is also making an
examination Of the use or abuse Of tho sus-
pended sentence principle by judges
The Bar Assocts ton, it Is understood. WI
not take any public action until the fall
with regard to the situation in the court
The grievance committee is making an eX-
haustive and detailed examination into the
minutes Of every case Of suspended SEN
tence 10 ascertain whether the principal
which was intended 70 he A shield for a
young or first offender has been used az an
excuse 10 give freedom 10 criminals who
use their parole time to prepare for or tn
commit other crimes.
II the grievance committee decides, after
It's examination. to proceed against ono or
more OF the Judges OF General Sessions
and II is reported that AT least one Judge
will he named as candidate for removal
the method prescribed by the state con-
stitution Is to have the report laid before
the Governor for transmission to the sen
ate. A two-thirds vote Of the Senate Is re-
quired for impeachment.
Some Of the cases cited IN the newspa-
pers, as disclosed by Commissioner Fos-
dick" said a member ~ the Bar Assocla-
ton, need 10 he explained very fully. This
matter Of a prosecuting lawyer suffering
because OF some slight auirk OF the judi
cisl temper. or. what is much worse oe-
cause OF the possible political influence OF
the defendant, has got to stop. As mat
ter Of fact II probably will stop now, for
at least a few months. because OF the re
cent wave Of publicity, out judges VINO
show such incompetence should not be al
lowed on the bench
Commissioner FOsdck ssid. after his talk
with the counsel for the grievance commit
tee. that he would continue his investlga'-
ing work on the General Sessions Court IN
conjunction with the association.
IL have turned over to Mr. Chrystis nll
the records and facts IN regard 10 the Court
Of General Sessions which we have devs-
opod during our inquiry Of the last two
weeks" said Mr.. Fosdick. Whatever We
do in the future along this line will be In
conjunction with Mr.. Chrystie.
Il believe that the Bar Association is In
| a better position 10 act in this matter than
any privately constituted civic organization.
! cannot say. Of course. what action the
Bar Association will take. but | presume
that certain matters will he laid before the
Governor for consideration ny the Senate
ms provided in Article s. Section II. OF the
| New York State Constitution
The next Senate that could. In the ordi-
nary course OF events. consider any i'm
parchment proceedings against Judge
would meet January /. 1918. Before such
! tribunal. under the law. the accused Judge
would be entitled to his day in court wnen
he could present any evidence in his favor.
| As the Bar Association would certainly he
! ready to act before the next Senate would
he called 10 order. Il was considered unlike
! " that any civic body would try to rush
matters by lodging any complaint with
the Governor ahead OF the Bar Association
Commissioner Fosdick is investigating a
minor complaint made by the Corporation
Counsers once against Leonard a. snltkin'
a Municipal Court justice.