EXPERIENCES WITH COUNSEL 159 
to interpose palliatives and to plead for Munn. Commis- 
sioner Shepard joined in the pleadings. It would be very 
trying, they said, for Mr. Munn, as it would be for any 
attorney, to have a peremptory dismissal from such a board. 
We should not act hastily, they contended, in so important 
a case as this. The official relations with the freeholders 
were friendly. Might not differences arise, should the pro- 
posed dismissal be made effective? Give Mr. Munn a trial 
—another opportunity, provided he would promise to do 
better, they urged. His salary was not large for a counsel 
in so responsible a position. Perhaps this may, in part, ac- 
count for his lack of attention to his duties, they continued. 
It was decided to call Mr. Munn in, explain the situation 
to him, and, unless he would promise to do better forthwith, 
that he should go. He entered. His manner was serious; 
his bearing courteous but grave. He took a seat at the end 
of the commissioners’ table, where he could be closely ob- 
served. The status of matters was explained to him. He 
listened attentively, scarcely uttering a word. He was told 
how the business of the commission in his charge was suf- 
fering from his neglect; how serious the result was becom- 
ing; that it must be stopped, or a change made. His man- 
ner indicated more clearly than words that he realized the 
truth and the force of the charges made. I then looked him 
directly in the face and said: “Mr. Munn, if we retain you, 
can we rely upon your properly attending to your duties 
here?” In a subdued but clear voice he replied: “Yes, you 
can!” He was excused. 
The pleadings of Messrs. Shepard and Murphy for his 
retention. then continued. He had made a pledge in the 
presence of us all; why not at least give him an opportunity 
to redeem that pledge. Who else could be selected, of all the 
attorneys in Essex County, who could then come into the 
department and have the grasp of the legal situation that 
Mr. Munn already possessed? These arguments prevailed. 
It then seemed logical and consistent to give him a 
further trial before exercising our right of peremptory dis- 
missal. Those of us favoring this latter course hoped for 
