June 1888: A suit by the state attorney general attempted to block the city of Newark from removing human remains from an old burial ground sought to be used for other purposes. The suit was on behalf of people claiming to be heirs of the original settlers of the city and therefore holding a trust in the remains. Chief Justice Mercer Beasley found that even if their ancestors were buried there, they had no right to the soil.
100 Years Ago
June 1913: Joseph Congdon, a lay judge of the Court of Errors and Appeals, was known for his tongue-in-cheek tips to lawyers, in court and out. Among his gems: "Counsel who bring causes before the court of (thank Heaven) the last resort, which are obviously unreversible, or are evidently prosecuted for additional fees from helpless and hopeless clients, may assume that the court fully appreciates the situation."
