The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-08-21

The ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JuyrIcE IN
NEw YoRK.-What 10 the meaning of the mys-
ferrous lull, the ominous silence, the unbroken
ealmness. which succeeded the interesting lare-up
that recently took place in that classic building
known as the Tombs The celebrated "Confidence
Men," together with police magistrate, couple
of police officers, and the District Attorney,
were mixed up in very interesting little sqsabble,
which seems to have ended as abruptly as 1t COM
menced suddenly. The District Attorney,
discharged broadside at the magistrate and
the police officers, and they, in their turn,
fred away right and left at Mr.. McKeon. Here the
matter stopped. Now the public are very anxious
to know all about the not very delicate insinu-
atoms respecting official malfeasance, which the
combatants treated each other to SO literally on
that occasion, and which certainly ought to be
drebed to the bottom. If there is any truth in them,
the public ought to be made acquainted with it.
For many years past the administration of crimi-
nal justice in the Tombs, whether under the old
code or the new one, has been looked upon with
distrust by the public. Every one to be sure, had
the fullest confidence that equal and exact justice,
and perhaps little more, was usually melted out
to the poor criminal charged with being vagrant,
or with stealing ham to avoid starvation, because
he had not the means of making the blind goddess
see his innocence; but doubts have certainly been
entertained that the supper ten" rogues ard vaga-
bonds-the big operators in rascalty, who make
five, ten and fifteen thousand dollar hauls-managed
to slip through the meshes of the law, and were
sooner arrested than they were discharged Ito re-
new their work of plumber and robbery. Now, the
not very delicate, but the contrary very signii-
cant insinuations, above referred to, may give us
some insight into these mysterious transactions
and doings connected with the admnsoR of
criminal justice in this city, and it is this
count that we regret the lul that has succeeded
the tempest that broke out few days ago in the
Tombs, between certain officials there. In this
laton, regret that the District Attorney has not
taken measures ere this to clear his Office of the
rumors and charges that have been plentlfully
made against the manner which the business
connected with that department conducted.
We know nothing of the truth or fasity of those
charges and rumOrs; but we cannot help saying
that Mr.. McKeon owes it to himself and the trust
which is confided to him, to take prompt measures
to relieve the public mind of the suspicion which
rumors and charges Of the kind would naturally
create, if allowed to remain uncontradicted. Those
rumOrs were at first whispered cautiousy-they
are now openly proclaimed, and published in more
than one public journal.
Is there no way of having committee appointed
to investigate the whole system of criminal JUSTICE
as it is dispensed In the Tombs Such com
mlttee, armed with power to send for persons and
papers, to examine witnesses, and to institute a
searching examination into the matter, would at
once bring the facts to light, and either substan-
ate the truth Of all that has been stated in relation
to the administration of criminal justice in the
Tombs, or give that concern certificate Of good
character, and of its claim to integrity, which, if
all that is limited about is true it is sadly in need
of.