Year: 1875

frmed that nomination Recorder Hsckett at that time
was an assistant in the Corporation Connscls Office lie
doubt receiving fair salary for the services he
WAS rendering the people There was vacancy in that
Office from Jan. i to March 6. lie was confirmed by
at the published records OF New-YoTk and it
for two months that he rendered services
for fifteen months that he rendered services and the
fifteen months having expired he received from the City
Recorder voucher for S2l 200 assistant in the Cor
there was % no law which prohibited Nr Mackctt from re-
ceiVng that money, hut there is moral law which
should govern mems actions, and he would leave the
members of that convention to Judge whether Recorder
llacketf was Eiileneed by That moral law shesG ne
Ring that existed at that time in this city, WIN any
gentleman in the Convention deny that Mr. ackct was
he did every that presented be-
fore the Board of Supervisors sitting member of that
in 1870 and part OF 1871 and though he may have
sat in ali the meetings of the Board, in the meetings
where he did Sit his vote Is recorded there
for leasing arm0Iics, and for other things
which do not appear in the public records SI,l
He aid not intend 10 assa the personal character OF Re
cordcr Hackett He had malice or feeling against
him. Why should he havel But the press of this city,
which continually calling the attention Of the people
to the necessary reforms which should be carried out
under our political government, should know both sides
~ the story and then let the people judge for themselves


He might tire the Convention by having documents read
before II IN relation to what he knew OF Recorder Hack


Those present knew that while Recorder Hackctt
sitting as Recorder. when application was made to him
TO quash the indictments against two OF the Ring rob
hers violation OF all principles OF law, ne dd Quisn
the indictments that had been found against two OF those
men, Gentlemen will say he did il justly that he was
gST Was correct IN H pTncpe THo but Mr. Kelly thoS i the
Convention appealed to the majority of criminal lawyers
St' hat tie acts of N the Recorder We're entirely H.
legal Appause There was in this city an ASSOCIATION
respectable citizens members OF that Association
They gave thtT time their money ana all tner services
gTatnousy TO its objects IL is true they had some men
employed their servants to do certain work. hut they
gave their Own services gauitonsy Tor he purpose Oh
Hackett made charge 10 the Grand Jury asking that
Grand Jury to indct those gentlemen connected with
that they were interfering with the imquity of those
men who brought TO this city the shame and disgrace
diet these No, because that jury knew that there
to indict them They knew nat there
ment in Judge Hackcts court which they said these
gentlemen doing right and you doing what will
sentiment made TO the couTti No, it suppressed
And who suppressed that pTesentnent made na thS
that period-the District Attorney who had the audacty
what they conceived to be . public duty Loud ap-
pausc Now then with these facts before the public
serted this man possesses suffice you look the public
records YOU will ascertain the fact that If this man is
possessed of the ability OF the legal ability that oi
his friends claim for him, how ii that nearly every
Of his that carried M to The Court OF Appeals
al least eighteen out of every twenty o his decisions
were set aside as no law.


NECESSITY OF 4 PORE JUDICIARY.


Ii might be said that the speaker not justified in
bringing these facts before this Convention He had said
as much his opening remarks, but the public should
know all the facts connected with Recorder Hacketts
official history as connected with the city, and if then
reasonable men, they could show that he should he re
nominated why then the fault lies with them
selves. The judiciary Of this county and state
aud OF the United States, should be "a pure
in the administration Of justice as the driven snow Ap
plausel There arguments used by men VINO believe
that the people capable of choosing their judicial
officials in the controversy that has taken place IN TINS
hg
large body OF citizens that intelligent Judiciary
could he selected by the executive officers of our govern
ment than can chosen by the people themselves IL
upon the convention whether thcy will give TO the
bGoie cboracterIone oi thar ANYTHING can he said
against-or will they present names against
whom not one word can be said II they take
the history of the country in relation 10 our
Judiciary was appointed in the beginning OF the Ad
dent OF the United States those who have read the de
bates that took place upon our Judiciary system VIII rec
ollect that there strong sentiment prevailing that


the people Of the country were just as capable OF choos


ing their officers as any one single individual could he
states Look the history OF the judiciary in this


S%RX mat 70 GGnS at the PST Beginning
our Government and perhaps till just previous
ability aud Of great purity Of character, and in every m
when those names were presented to the senate
senting voice. How was it during the war and since
What took place under the National Governments
were bound To- do a certain thing in reference to the
Government, and thev were selected for that very





the judges appointed by yOur Chief Executive


in the Southern States Are not some of them dis
National Government, and II not compelled they were
requested 10 do the very act that the Governor appointed
them 10 do whether lawful or not Look the
history of the southern States in relation to the Judiciary
and the comments of the public press upon those qnes
clear that they appointed for certain purposes that
there cannot he doubt upon the subject In the debate


that took place in the Constitutional Convention many
gentlemen of capacity contendcd that better Judiciary
could selected by the Governor of the state subject to


Looking al the matter in the light he had presented it,


Mr. KELLEY Thought they should adopt the report Of the
Conference Committee without dissenting voice. Many
names would he presented The Committee should look
pure and an honor 10 the positions 10 which they might
bc nominated. The Judiciary should be composed oi
the guilty, matter what influence might he brought to
bear in their behalf


John A. Beal sent to the Secretary aud had read
his letter to Wheeler II. Peckham and the reply of
the latter with reference to the action of Recorder
Hacket in the Ring suits. The substance OF these
documents is as follows:


The letter Of Mr. Beal asked Mr Pecklam whether Re
cordcr acketts action in the proceedings against the
Tammany Ring affords Just ground for criticism
ham in his reply gives short history Of the criminal
prosecution Of Tweed Connolly, Han, &c. Among other


tatemrnts are the following The first trial of Mayor
Hall was the Court Of Sessions, Judge Daiy Chief
Justice Of the Common Pleas, presiding. iial0r Hal
had previously publicly stated that owing 70 his prsona
f .dly relations with Recorder Hackett would not be
advisable for that magistrate TO preside at his iials
trial After the trial had been pending some weeks
Juror died Meantime the succeeding regular term of the
Court of Sessions had been opended Recorder lacet
presiding The trial az the time of the jurors death had
deyelOped very serious aspect for Mr. Hall question
then arose az 10 the power of Mr.. Justice DAILY 10 i'm
panel Jury and proceed with the trial This ques
lion was parity argued ard adjournment taken 10
future day. Pending that adjournment the point
wa. made in some case IN Recorder Hacketts
branch of the court tlat his branch was Illegal
ow ng 10 the sting of Judge Days branch. Tie
Eccorder not only ruled that his branch was
legal but, as ! remember, went further and stated
that Judge Days Illegal. ON the meeting OF Judge
Days branch the adjourned day Judge DAILY declined


10 consider the question on its merits ana saw ta' att
tbe decision of Recorder Hackett his only course was TO
foIlow H. aud he did so. dischaIging the jury ana