The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-04

The staten Island Murders-Latest Particu-
lars--Accouchment of Polly BOdine--
Beach's Special Exprcss-Pubiic Feeling
on the Island.
The examination u the prisoners on Tuesday
closed at half past nine o'clock, when Waite was
remanded to the Jail the custody of the Sheriff.
The lad, Albert, was permitted to pass the night
under the roof and in charge Of the Coroner.
At eight o'clock yesterday morning DR.. Munday,
the resident physician, was summoned to attend
Polly Bodne at the prison, and in few minutes
after his arrival she was delivered Of still born
male child of full growth, the birth being prema-
ture but by two weeks. The unfortunate woman
is doing very well, and will be able to be removed
for examination in few days.
The Sun of yesterday morning pretended to give
report of the proceedings if taken on the spot,
at the examination, dating it from Port Richmond
at nine o'clock the previous night. This was
most miserable and gross deception, but nothing
unusual from what is daily palmed upon the public
by the office from whence is issued such con-
temptbe sheet. The report contained not an item
of later intelligence than furnished to the
readers of the Herald by reporter, who left the
Port at aquarter past four in the afternoon. In fact
it was tumble of falsehoods. In the first place
no express, special or otherwise, could have been
despatched from thence after the departure of the
boat Next, Polly Bodine was not delivered Of a
child on that evening as was stated In the third
place, Mr.. Phelps is not the associate Of the
District Attorney for the prosecution. He Is the
presiding officer of the Court of Enquiry, in his
capacity of Commissioner OF the Supreme Court.
He is assisted by the gentlemen appointed as a
Committee of Investigation at the meeting of the
inhabitants of the County. And it is before this
body, and not before the Coroner who has nothing
to do in the matter, that the examinations are be-
ing held. We state these facts to show what re-
lance the readers of the Sun may place upon the
statements concocted for their reading. No por-
ton of the proceedings before the Court of En-
qury can be given to the public without a violation
of the solemn pledge of secrecy given by each
member to the Commissioner.
The following the only further particulars
cleaned by our reporter up to the moment of leav-
ing by the last boat
When the house of Waite was searched, a box
containing sundry articles was found; among them
was cup of coral beads which the daughter on her
examination yesterday, recognised as having been
the heads composing two necklaces worn by the
mother and child, the one being of rough the other
Of polished beads. The beads had been mingled
together purposely, with the intent Of stringing
them alternately, and this led to their instant
cogntion The necklace of the mother had gold
locket attached, which is missing. 1t now appears
that the house must have been fired sometime after
sunrise on Christmas morning. young lad named
John Thompson, aged about IL years, relative of
Mrs. Houseman, called at the house about sunrise
that morning to procure some pills for his grand
mother from Mis-. H., and after knocking loudly
several times, the neighbor opposite, Mr..
John Burbank, observed to him, that sit
was no use TO knock so, as he was sure
he would not get his Christmas there" The boy
met Polly Bodine shortly after as she was waiting
for the Richmond stage to proceed to the Quaran-
tine take the steamboat for this city, and she in
formed him that Mrs. Houseman had gone to her
grandmother's to spend the day. Cher grandmother
resided about one mile from the Granite Vilage.)
This is conclusive evidence that the front kitchen
door was locked that morning, and that it must
have been unlocked ana the building fired after
that time, when the door examined after the
fire. il was evident, from the marks upon the lock
aud bolt, that they had not been shot home as
was the case with the back door and the door lead
ing to the hall from the kitchen.
There is testimony TO be produced from this city
that Waite upon the Island on Saturday even
ing. This he denies, but if such proof can be
brought forward, as one of our Police magistrates
has asserted, then the case will be very strongly
established against Waite an accessory before
the fact if not actually participation in the foul
deed.
The excitement on the Island is increasing very
much Ill consequence OF the secrecy observed IN
the examinations, and we apprehend they will not
much longer brook such conduct in the Commits
sloner, unless he can give some more substantial
reason than the exploded one of "furthering the
ends of Justice" II is nonsense to talk thus at this
late period. The people are satisfied that the muir
derers have been arrested They well know that
from the publicity given to the murder, If there
were any accompllces or accessories, even after
the fact that they have fled and are now beyond
the reach of the law. In such crisis the public
should be fully warned and apprised of every
particular. Many who are now. gathering
from others information, might, If the full
facts were known, be able to correborate or
supply the links in the chain of evidence, should
any be wanting II is but simple Justice to the
munty-to the lslanders-that the examination
should be held with open doors, and that this i'm
at oncs removed This siar Chamber inqusi
ton cannot by any possibility further the ends OF
Justice, no matter how lcarnedly or how wisely
the members of the Court may talk and shake their
heads. The people have the right to be present
at the examination Of one of their body who may
he accused OF a crime which must involve his life;
The accused shoud in all fairness, have the full
facts placed before his peers, that, if innocent, they
may step forward and aid him by their testimony
and il guilty, Justice is In danger at the hands OF
IN intelligent, law-revering people, by an open,
fair impartial examination In their presence. The
precedent is n dangerous one and should not be
permitted. We do not mean to ccnsure the Com
missioner and the gentlemen engaged in the exami-
nation, as we firmly believe that they are actuated
by the best motives; but the principle of closed
doors is not a right, just, safe one, and pro-
test in the name of the public against it. Our re-
porter has been met with the most gentlemanly and
frank disposition by the members OF the Court, and
we have no desire TO speak harshly of them. The
public are Interested, and we feel that in what
have said we have but spoken the opinion OF nine
tenths of the community. Our thanks are due to
Mr. Martin, the proprietor of the Port Richmond
Hotel, for the facilities and attention he has paid &c
our reporter, and we have mucl. pleasure in bearing
testimony to the good accommodations to be me-
with at his house.
| 0u-BAEE, the pirate, was sentenced in the United
States Court, yesterday morning, TO be executed OF
/ Thursday the 7th of March ba,u,.an tho hnurs N