are ten judges of the former court, who are appointed by the Mayor and hold office for ten years. Five of these receive salaries of $9,000 each; and the other five, $6,000 each. In addition to the judges there are twentyseven City Magistrates, each of whom acts as a police justice. Twelve of these magistrates are appointed by the Mayor for ten years, and fifteen are elected by the people, holding office for six years. These magistrates receive annual salaries of from $5,000 to $7,000 each. The Municipal Court is composed of twenty-three justices, elected by the voters in as many districts, into which the city is divided. The term of office of a justice is ten years, and he receives an annual salary of from $5,000 to $6,000, according to his district. Each justice presides over a session of the court held in the district by which he was elected.

7. CORONERS' COURTS.

Coroners. It is provided by statute that in each county there shall be elected by all the voters of the county not more than four Coroners, who shall serve for three years and receive for their services a salary or fees fixed by law. By custom a physician is usually chosen to fill the office.

8. THE COURT OF CLAIMS.

Organization. The Court of Claims is composed of three Judges of Claims, appointed by the Governor, who hold office for six years. They receive annual salaries of $5,000 each. The court holds four sessions each year.

2. JURISDICTION of the COURTS.

1. COURTS OF ORIGINAL JURISDICTION.

The Supreme Court. This court has the most extensive jurisdiction of any in the State, for it is provided by the Constitution that:

The Supreme Court is continued with general jurisdiction in law and equity. . . . (Art. VI., Sec. 1, Cl. 1.)

Circuit Courts and Courts of Oyer and Terminer [see page 12] are abolished. All their jurisdiction shall

be

vested in the Supreme Court. Any justice of the Supreme Court, except as otherwise provided in this article, may hold court in any county. (Art. VI., Sec. 6.)

The Supreme Court has jurisdiction in all cases except those relating to claims against the State and those of which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. (See Book I., page 162.) But it is not usual to bring actions in the Supreme Court for sums of money only, unless the amount involved is fifty dollars or over. Such actions are begun in justice or other inferior courts.

Extent of Jurisdiction.-At a trial term a justice with a jury may try actions between private individuals, or a person who has been indicted by the grand jury of the county for a serious crime. But a jury trial may be waived by the consent of the parties to a civil action.

Other cases are tried before the justice without a jury at a session of the court called a special term. Numerous other legal proceedings may be brought before a justice of the Supreme Court without a jury, and he has power to issue a writ of habeas corpus. (See Book I., page 22); an order, called a Mandamus, to compel a

public officer to do his duty, which he has refused to do; and also an order, called an Injunction, restraining a person from doing some illegal or injurious act.

County Courts.-The County Court in each county has original jurisdiction of all criminal actions, in which the crimes were committed in the county and in which the death penalty cannot be imposed (except in Kings County, where the County Court has that jurisdiction also.) Its jurisdiction in civil cases is provided for by the Constitution as follows:

County Courts shall have . original jurisdiction in actions for the recovery of money only, where the defendants reside in the county, and in which the complaint demands judgment for a sum not exceeding two thousand dollars. The Legislature may hereafter enlarge or restrict the jurisdiction of the County Courts, provided, however, that their jurisdiction shall not be so extended as to authorize an action therein for the recovery of money only, in which the sum demanded exceeds two thousand dollars, or in which any person not a resident of the county is a defendant.

Courts of Sessions [see page 12], except in the county of New York, are abolished All the jurisdiction of the Court of Sessions in each county, except the county of New York, shall be vested in the County Court thereof. (Art. VI.,

Sec. 14.)

Justices of the Peace.-A justice of the peace has a limited jurisdiction in both criminal and civil actions. The former is confined to minor crimes committed in the town, and the civil jurisdiction to cases in which less than $200 is involved and the parties to the action reside within certain geographical limits fixed by law. When either party demands it, the justice must summon a jury of six men to decide the facts in the case. The court of

a justice of the peace, when engaged in the trial of a criminal action, is termed a Court of Special Sessions. A Justice of the Peace has power to issue a warrant for the arrest of a person charged with crime, and after an examination into the facts hold him in custody to await the action of the grand jury.

Local Courts of New York County and City.-New York County has, as has been said, a Court of General Sessions and a City Court, which take the place of a county court. The former has much the same criminal jurisdiction as a county court, but it may also try cases in which the death penalty may be imposed. The City Court possesses civil jurisdiction similar to county courts. The Court of Special Sessions, the City Magistrates and the Municipal Court have much the same jurisdiction as justices of the peace; the first two in criminal cases, the last in civil; but the limit of the amount involved is extended from two hundred to five hundred dollars. These courts have also jurisdiction of actions for violation of city ordinances.

Other Inferior Courts.-Local courts in other cities have generally jurisdiction similar to that of the courts last described, but one court in the smaller cities exercises both criminal and civil jurisdiction. The Police Justice of a village has a limited jurisdiction of petty offenses against the state laws and violation of the village ordi

nances.

Surrogates' Courts.-The Surrogate Court in each county has jurisdiction of matters relating to the estates of persons who die leaving property in the county, such as the proof of wills, the appointment of administrators

and distribution of the property of persons who die without leaving wills, and the appointment of guardians of minors and of their property. The Supreme Court, however, may try such questions as the meaning or validity of a will.

Coroners' Courts.-A Coroner holds a court wherever a person dies by his own hand or under circumstances which point to some other person being criminally responsible for the death. It is his duty to investigate as to the cause, and for this purpose he may compel the attendance of witnesses and examine them. If he be convinced that a crime has been committed, he may order the suspected person to be arrested, to await the action of the grand jury of the county. In counties which contain a city of the first class (see page 94) the Coroner must summon a jury of not less than nine nor more than fifteen persons to determine as to the cause of death. Such method of investigation with a jury is termed an inquest.

The Court of Claims.-The State, since it possesses the sovereignty, cannot be sued without its permission by any private person. The Legislature has provided, however, that a person having a claim against the State may present it, under certain conditions, to the Court of Claims, which takes the evidence and decides as to its validity. In case the claim is decided to be good, the Legislature appropriates the money to pay it.

2. COURTS OF APPELLATE JURISDICTION.

Appeals and Appellate Courts.-A person not satisfied with the decision of any court of original jurisdiction,