The sun., 1915-05-20

whitman ana IL threatens 10 "eaheH nun
with Republicans OF the counties in
volved.
The creation of the additional Justice
ships has been bitterly opposed by lead
ing lawyers OF both political parties. The
foremost opponent OF the bill is Supreme
Court Justice Arthur S. Tompkins of
Nyack. whose representations on the
subject. made directly to Gov. Whit
man. were so forc.ble that the Governor
sent the bill back to the Legisla ture with
killed.
Non-Partisan Committee.
The Republican organization, how
ever, was determined. and the bill was
passed and was signed by the Governor
before its opponents could get publicity
for the measure and the clrdnms tances
attending 1t. Its opponents have now
formed a committee OF Republicans and
Democrats which will soon meet and
make plans for preventing the Republi-
can organization from naming and elect
Ing the men IL wants oH 'ie SuPicih
Court bench.
The chief objection urged against the
bill. which is understood TO be william
L. Wards pet project and which was
backed by Senator George Slater and
Assemblyman Floyd Hopkins, is that the
new Justiceships are needless. Lawyers
Of both parties assert that Gov. Whit
man in signing Slaters measure has
merely saddled on the taxpayers an un-
necessary yearly expense OF $4,000 and
has given the Republican gsnization
chance to intrcnch itself more firmly
than ever.
The committee formed 10 hgh; for the
righ; sort of men 10 fil the new Justice
ships-since the fight TO prevent their
creation is lost-!s composed OF tour
Republicans and three Democrats. These
seven men are the choice of about twenty
Republicans and Democrats who rallied
spontaneously TO fight the Slater bill.
The members are Ralph T.. Prime OF
Yonkers. Democrat, dean Of the West
chester bar: Mortimer H. Patterson OF
Nyack, Republican; Irving y. Tompk!ns
Of White Plains, Democrat; Walter G.
Anthony of Newbursh. Republican; Clf-
ford Couch OF Peekskill Democrat; Clay
ton Ryder OF Carmel, Republican, and
Charles W. Sneed of Newburgh, Republi-
can, who is secretary of the committee.
A chairman will be chosen at meet
ing in the near future.
Plan Discovered Accidentally.
Ii was said yesterday that the first
haari nIl'ielN Dr.. h.ll when
Justice Tompkins, who Glanced to be in
Albany several months ago. was told Of
IL. He was astOn!shed lie went 10
Gov. Whitman and told him that the
measure ought not to pass, because II
was wholly unnecessary. lie pointed
out to the Governor that the Niuth
judicial district is better served now
than ever in the past. Days are not in
frequent in WestChester, the Governor
was told. when there is not work enough
to go around among the Judges. As
for the rest OF the district. that was in
excellent shape. When Justice Tomp-
kins pointed 20 the extra expense OF
the new Justiceships Gov. Whitman was
much impressed. II was after this visit
that he sent the bill back with the
understanding that il would be dropped
for good.
But the Republican organization ir
Westchester had no idea of letting the
bill die. II told the Governor that
Justice Michael II. Hirschberg of New
burgh had been moro or less m fol
some time and had been anle 70 hold
court only occasionally at New burgh
Justice Hrschherg and Justice Joseph
Morschauser OF poughkerpsie, and Isan,
y. Mills OF Mount Vernon could sec nc
objection to the additional Justices
The advocates OF the bill were ais,
helped by an unexpected vacancy
Justice Joseph \. Burr Of Brooklyn d ed
and II became necessary to appoint some
one TO the Appellate Division. Gov
Whitman was persuaded that thu ap
pointee ought to come from the Nintl
judicial district. He named Justic,
Mills and thus left only four Justices il
the Ninth district. for, in addition I,
Justices Hirschberg, Morschauser anr
Tompkns. Justice Martin J. Kcogh ii
assigned 10 tho district
After the bill had been passed lawyer,
OF both parties throughout the distric
were thoroughly aroused, as were som,
OF the taxpayers who try 10 keep watcl
OF events. A food Of protests went :,
the Governor. what happened next wa.
described yesterd y hy Irving y. Tomp
kins of White Plains,
"TThe Governor paid absolutely no at
tention 10 the letters and tCl. grams sen
10 him." said Mr. ToTphius "Thcs'
were ignored and M Whitman refuse,
to hold public hearing ou the Slater
bill
AS we couldn't get a public hcariul
and as we got no response to our mes
sages about twenty Of us got togcthe
and decided TO 20 TO Albany, thlnklul
that Gov, Whitman would at least no
refuse to receive us. So we went up las
Monday When we got to Albany W,
were Informed that the Governor ha,
signed the b,ll on Saturday u.gat."
Justice Tompkins, who was sitting u
White Plains yesterday--thrcc Justice
were sitting there on that trial which a
high water mark--deciiued 20 discus
tho Slater bin or GOV Whliman's cours
In signing Il, but he let i, hc know
through a frlond thAt he hns entLrcl