The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-01-04
Curious Proceedings In the Court Of ses-

|
| siOns.
Yesterday, Mr.. Justice Noah delivered one of tn,
most curious and original charges to the Crane
Jury, tina, ever has signaiized the administration o
justice, from the time of the famous Justice Shallow
who sat upon the bench in the age of Sir John Fal
staff. We have received from his Honor copy Of
the charge, which we annex.
Judge Noah, from the tenor and character OF his
charge, considers himself as sort of President OF
the republic and actually calls the Grand Jury his
s. cabinet" To this cabinet he has delivered a
message, embracing almost every thing under the
sun-and especially the "money articles of the
newspaper press. The Judge, with great drollery
condemns the frauds, failures, and misconduct d
banks-and in the next breath especially severe on
the newspapers, because they warn the public against
such corrup, and shaving Institutions. Pray, what
is the amiable Judge driving at Does he intend to
prevent all pressures in the money market! How
comes his message to blow hot and cold in the
same breath One important point he has forgotten.
Why did he not give US his opinion the repudia-
ton of the State debts does he leave that subject
10 the Governor OF Coney Island exclusively!
But enough-it is well, perhaps, that the egisla-
ture meets this day-and TO them commit this
message, and the reorganization of the Court of
Sessions Here is the curiosity
GENTLEMEN THE GRAsp JrRY-It is a matter Of some
interest in the criminal Jurisprudence this city and
county to know, that during the year which has lust
closed there have been 1887 tried for various Of
fences by this Court and during the previous year. 1898
cases, showing an increase OF 2ls indictments from
which it may be inferred, that progressively
creascs with the increase OF population The calen
dar for the present term embraces several of
porance but is not unusually large for the
whatever impressions may be made on the public mind
OF relaxation OF the necessary vigilance the part OF
the proper authorities am bound In justice to say that
snch impressions are erroneous the vigilance the
Police Department continues undated Watch
properly and efficiently organized. Reforms, embracing
considerable addition to the existing mrcal
ofthe Police and consequently involving additional and
heavy expenditures, it IS understood in con,empa.
ton such reforms it is believed are at this time Of
questionable policy. Substituting annual salary for
Police Officers instead Of fees and thus equalixng their
pay and duties and gradually increasing number
the inca Of population would b. all tina, is
required to sreng hen this branch of public service
You VIII hnd gentlemen, that the greatest amount OF
your abors will be devoted, as usual to complaints of
assaults and batteries The Court has pressed upon the
consideration the Police Department the expendiency
ofsendng all those complaints excepting in aggravated
cases. for the prompt decision of the Court o Special
Sessions and thus relieve the Grand Inquest and the
General Sessions of great Of arduous labor ia
dsposing OF cases Of petty quarrels costly to the
county, and Of interest to the public At the
September term OF this Court, the Recorder in his
chargeto the Grand Jnry, brought to their consiie
ration the great dsproporlion of paupers in this CITY
and county to those other counties and sections Of
in giving your attention to this subject because
ism to any great extent is the parent OF vice. and vice of
crime; it is also subject which in every country is
deemed OF the highest Importance and finally our in.
teres and the interests OF your fellow citizens as lax
payers, almonish the necessity of investigating the
causes-lookng to the expenditures, and recommend.
ing measures OF reform. In the almshouse, lunatc
asylum, peDitentary bridewe and the Long Island
farms, nearly four thousand persons are supported at
annual expense of $3.50 OOO besides nearl s7ooo for
private charity, and the only revenue derived from
these establishments, is $4,000 for the support
ted by the State for the support Of foreign poor
When we take into consjera that the annual X.
penditures OF this city will not fall short of one mil
lion five hundred thousand dollars" which will soon
added the interest on twelve millions of dollars of
water stock, which in some years may net three per
cent to the city, it is worthy Of consideration in what
items can our municipal expenditures be reduced 1t is
reflection our want of economy and good manage
ment, that several thousand pau pers and prisonsIs
by the public, many of them able bodied
industry repay portion Of the annual expenditure or
their support In the city Of Boston, the produce Of the
snos IN I mK az aad shss
the tax Tor the support OF the poor comparative h
tax, and system of rigid economy in the mar w
of public charities appear TO prevail in almost e,e.y ~
fortaby provided for without labor they never desire
to change their condition and it frequently happens
new crime brings them within its walls the next day
is for you gentlemen and is part Of your duty as mem
bers ofthe grand inquest to bring this subject often
as may be necessary to the consideration othe public
authorities. IT, our municipal affairs released from
the violence OF party spirit, and conducted without
reference to this test economy good government per-
maneat systems, and heaty condition Of things
would he the inevitable result II may be we'll to men
ton here reference the supper, of the poor that the
state OF New York in twenty years has received FIVE
millions ofdollas from the auction OF this city and
has only appropriated in that the of $3.50 coo for the
cent appropriations various purposes public and nri
va,e made by the legislature in which this city has had
no direct ntsre we may indulge the hope that at
heavy expenditures OF the city government may be viii
ling to allow MS to receive the auction duties which
in we are entitled for the support poor
This desirable measure, however can only be brought
about by respect orthe supreme power of the state and
obedience the laws and Lot by claiming this CITY 10 be
free city ndepe nden, OF Legislative control its nhab.
tants living under the dilspdated provisions of royal
charter subject ofdeep regret gentlemen Of the
GrandJ 70 know that cases probably be present
ed to you during the present term of fraud corrup.
tion detalc alton and peculation in office, connec
ton with private trusts and public institutions, in
voving the character Of men who have hitherto sustain
ed fair regulations in society If in relation TO incorpo
rated Institutions the losses fell only those entrusted
with their management there would be claim pub
lie sympathy, but the abuse OF the conGled them
whc indirectly affects the character and credit
institutions, falls heavy on the innocent holder their
securities The law guarding against such abuses and
furnishing such iclinquencies fully adsqns,e
the which may the subject OF complaint before
you. 1t is no, the former high character OF the onicer
the wealth and influence of the man. that should
shield them from indictment if there are sufficient
grounds to put them on trial. from punishment il le
gaily convicted. The Law has no respect for per.
sons; and il men will disregard pnblc opinion
abuse their trust, plunge into the commission OF
crime, jeopardize their reputation AMI liberty, to-
gethcr With the happiness and comfort of their IA
miles they must be ready 10 meet the cons, Gucuces.-
But Gentlemen OF the Grand Jury while our duty
TO present the guilty in such cases there another
view OF this subject which demands your serious con.
sheraton. The constant and daily attacks making BY
portion of the public journals the banking instt
tons OF the State and city, and indeed OF the whole
Union Unfortunately, in what purpor,s TO be their
Money Article, producing inc sculab.e injury TO
the innocent holders Of stock many of them widow
and minors and creating terror and constant panic
in the money market Bank notes thrown back upon
the assailed institutions for immediate redemption in
specie, and the drectSrsn jdst apprehension OF the
sequences uniformly attending these attacks Gull in
their issues curta their business Operations and thus
the fair dealer is deprived OF the facilities required
slstan his credit and is either driven 10 the necessity
OF throwing his paper into the market runous dis
count TO meet his liabilities, stop pas