The Sun

Surrogate Hutchings—A Merited Tribute.

From the Improved Daily Times, July 19.

The Hon. Robert C. Hutchings, Surrogate of the city and county of New York, closed the first half of the first year of his term of office on the 1st inst., and during this period of time has disposed of an amount of business which speaks well, not only for his executive ability, but also showing a desire on his part as a public officer to conscientiously discharge the trusts confided to him. On the 1st of January last, when he entered on the duties of his position, he found, as is usually the case, a large amount of business still unfinished. Cases which had been undisposed of by his predecessor were left for him to conclude, and as is always the case in a large office of this kind, upon a change of head, matters generally were in a confused state. This business has all been quietly settled within the past six months, while in addition, the ordinary routine business of the office has been attended to in such a manner as to win for the present incumbent the regard of the Bar and of the public. With the conclusion of the Alexander case last week, the calendar of litigated cases was entirely cleared, and the summer vacation of the Court entered upon with a clean record. During the six months past, in addition to the fact that some four hundred wills have been admitted to probate, and letters of administration issued upon over five hundred estates, Judge Hutchings has disposed of thirty-five important contested cases. It may be stated that on the part of the Surrogate the greatest patience has been exercised, and full latitude given to the contending parties to present their evidence. Courtesy to counsel employed has been a distinguishing trait of the presiding officer; and although the desire to expedite business has been evinced, the judicious display of power on the part of the Surrogate has served to render him popular with all with whom he has been brought in contact.