The Sun.
London, England, 1836-09-19 00:00:00

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT.
(THIS DAY.)

These Sessions were commenced this morning before the
Lord Mayor, the Recorder, and other city officers.
The Grand Jury having been sworn in, the RECORDER said
he was sorry to say that there were already 250 prisoners'
names in the Calender, which number was likely to be made
up to 300 before the Grand Jury were discharged. He was
happy to say that though the number was great, there was
no offences of great magnitude, or any which called for any
particular notice from him. He would take that opportunity
of calling attention to two Acts which lately passed into law;
the first was to prevent the fact of a previous conviction
from being given in evidence, except when evidence was
given as to character ;—the other ,and the more important
Act was that which allowed prisoners charged with felony the
benefit of Counsel to address the Jury on their behelf. With
the former Act the Grand Jury had no concern, except in the
case of uttering counterfeit coin—the first offence being a mis-
demeanour, and the seeond offence being a felony. In that
case the Grand Jury had to take cognizance of the previous
conviction, in order to enable them to find a true bill for the
felony. In all other cases no evidence could be offered of a
previous conviction, unless evidence was called as to
character. By the other Act, the Legislature had enabled
prisoners to make their defence to the Jury by means
of Counsel. He gladly seized upon the first oppor
tunity of stating what construction he put upon the Act.
Whatever doubts of the prudence of the measure he might
entertain, it was his duty to all in his power to carry it fully
and efficiently into effect. It was framed for the purpose of
protecting the poor and the unfriended, which was of itself
enough to enlist the sympathies of all in its favour. When
he saw the hands who would be engaged in carrying the Act
into effect (the Counsel), his alarm was greatly diminished ;
for though the Act gave greater scope to the Counsel's talent,
it also brought with it a greatly increased responsibility. He
did not apprehend much difficulty from the operation of the
Act there, but at Quarter Sessions it might lead to disputes ;
but he trusted the Legislature would meet that difficulty by
appointing gentlemen of the legal profession to preside at such
Sessions. He thought there was one omission in the Act—it
did not provide able professional assistance for those prisoners
who were too poor to provide such assistance for themselves—
he trusted that some enactment would be made soon upon the
subject. The Learned Gentleman then referred to the right
which every prisoner had to inspect the depositions against
him, and be hoped that the Magistrates' clerks would shew
more alacrity in sending in the depositions, which at present
were frequently kept back to the last moment. He then re-
ferred to the remarks which had been made upon the state of
Newgate ; be blamed no one for such strictures, but it was
proper that the fault should be known to be in the construction
of the prison, which was not adapted to the classification of
prisoners when they were in great numbers. The fault then
was in the prison, and not in the officers who were employed
in it. He had thought it his duty to say so much on the occa-
sion; he would then discharge the Grand Jury to those duties
which, he felt certain, would be performed with zeal and ability.
The remainder of the morning was taken up in swearing-in
the petit juries.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
(THIS DAY.)

UNION-HALL.

Wm. Oliver, a shabby-genteel looking young man, was
brought this morning before Mr. WEDGWOOD, charged by an
excise officer, named Herbert, with keeping an illicit still.
Herbert stated that in consequence of informatiou he had re-
ceived, he, together with other excise officers, went last Satur-
day night to a house, 14, Villier-stroet, Walworth-common.
They entered the house by the washhouse, behind the door of
which they discovered the prisoner. In the washhouse there
were several tubs and other articles used in dis-
tillation. After capturing the prisoner, they pro-
ceeded to search the house. In the parlour they discovered
a still that had apparently been recently worked, and up stairs
there were several sample bottles, containing spirits, and a
bladder with some wash.

Mr. WEDGEWOOD asked the prisoner what he had to say to
the charge? Oliver—l have only been in the house a few
days, and I know nothing about the still.
Mr. WEDGEWOOD thought it most extraordinary that a per-
son could live in the house, even for a few days, and not be
aware of what was going on. It was altogether a most impro-
bable story ; he must either pay a penalty of 301., or be com-
mitted fur three months.