N.y. courts seek root out is professional#

Root modernized the consular service by minimizing patronage, promoted friendly relations with Latin America, and resolved frictions with Japan over the immigration of unskilled workers to the West Coast of the United States. He restructured the National Guard into an effective reserve, created the United States Army War College and established a general staff.Īfter a brief return to private life, Root rejoined the Roosevelt administration as Secretary of State from 1905 to 1909.

N.y. courts seek root out is professional#

Root also modernized the Army into a professional military apparatus comparable to the best in Europe. He was a strong advocate for the Panama Canal and the Open Door Policy.

He helped design the Foraker Act of 1900, the Philippine Organic Act (1902), and the Platt Amendment of 1901. Root favored a paternalistic approach to colonial administration, emphasizing technology, engineering, and disinterested public service. Root was a prominent opponent of women's suffrage and worked to ensure the New York state constitution allowed only men to vote.Īs Secretary of War from 1899 to 1904, Root administered colonial possessions won in the Spanish–American War, especially the Philippines and Cuba. Root served as president or chairman of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Carnegie Institution of Washington, and the Carnegie Corporation of New York. His private clients included major corporations and such powerful players as Andrew Carnegie. Root was a leading New York City lawyer who moved frequently between high-level appointed government positions in Washington, D.C., and private-sector legal practice in New York City. Root is sometimes considered the prototype of the 20th century political ' wise man,' advising presidents on a range of foreign and domestic issues. He also served as United States Senator from New York and received the 1912 Nobel Peace Prize. Rochester City Court Judge Teresa Johnson, who is the administrative judge for the city's courts, said, 'I did not feel compelled to sign on.Elihu Root ( / ˈ ɛ l ɪ h juː ˈ r uː t/ February 15, 1845 – February 7, 1937) was an American lawyer, Republican politician, and statesman who served as Secretary of State and Secretary of War in the early twentieth century. Not all judges saw the need to sign the letter. It may not be the court’ system’s fault that they are ending up there in growing numbers, she said, but judges have to be in a position to make sure that those girls are not being further harmed by unwarranted outcomes in their cases. State Supreme Court Justice Kathie Davidson, the administrative judge of the 9th Judicial District, which covers Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange and Dutchess counties, said those who signed the letter wanted to “use our power and influence” to rectify not only the perception that institutional racism exists but the reality as well.Ī longtime Family Court judge, she offered the fact that minority girls are facing juvenile justice at an increased rate. As one example, he cited New Rochelle’s study of more opportunities for community service to replace fines that are often unaffordable. Rice also said that the courts have to expand restorative justice. That review, headed by Jeh Johnson, the former Homeland Security secretary, is expected to last until October. He too commended Chief Judge DiFiore for ordering an evaluation of the state courts’ policies and practices to identify and root out such bias. Rice said that like every realm of public life institutional racism has seeped into the courts. He said he didn’t think there was any underlying issue that prompted the letter.īut as judges generally can’t speak out publicly, he welcomed the opportunity 'to collectively confirm our commitment to racial equity in our court system.'

'Hopefully letters like this are ways of beginning the conversation,' said Lopez.Īmong the 14 jurists from Westchester who signed was one of its newest, New Rochelle City Judge Jared Rice.

The letter signed by judges is an indication that judges across New York share concerns about court operations, Lopez said. Lopez said he was pleased the New York Chief Judge Janet DiFiore has launched an independent review of the state courts to try to identify and eliminate institutional racism within the system.