The New York herald., 1850-11-16

PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE GRAND JURY-SINoU-
LAR DEvELopENEsrs.-We publish, in another CO.
lunn, several very remarkable documents and
proceedings before the Grand Jury, connected
intimately and interestingly with the stooLpigeon
power, now almost crumbled to pieces in this city
The deposition of Margaret O'Connor Is a very
curious narration OF events in that chain Of cir
cumstences tAst for two years past has been
stretching around the halls Of public justice, and
drawing within it several innocent persons, select
ed by rascality victims to its system of selfpre-
servation. Step by step, and with steady regard
for the interests of this community, we have strven
hard, and against obstacles of very strong and
battling nature, to tear from the vitals of society
those loathsome cancers which threatened il with
entirs corruption, and even its existence The de-
position of the woman O'Connor, with the other
documents, is an important part Of that exposition
which has attracted, for many months, the serious
study and investigation of all good citizens, and
reveals portion of the means adopted for carrying
out bold system of conspiracy, levelled at the
security of innocent men.
1t seems that Warner, who at first braved so
ciety, and then fled from this community into
secret hiding place, has been exercising the talents
of an adept in the manufacture of testimony. Edu.
Gated for such trade in the purlieus OF Newgate,
he seems to have calculated on turning the ma
chinery of public justice into means for covering
his own depravity, even though the sacrifice of in
nocence should be necessary TO effect his own sal
walton. While he yet trembed with the hope thar
he could conceal his own sins, by throwing them
upon the shoulders of others, he presumed to show
the appearance of boldfront in the presence of
justice Defeated, however, in his nefarioas plots,
and finding that truth was about to unmask the
enormity of his wicked designs against the liberty
of unofending persons, he suddenly left the scene
of his exploits; and, happily for the public, sooner
than could have been anticipated, has permitted
the truth to come to light. The secret of his
means for efecting his own security is now made
more clear than before, by this last document.
1t is a curious affair; but it shows, singularly
enough, what practices can be resorted to by men
who are lost to all sense of shame, and to every
sentiment of virtue Though Margaret O'Connor's
deposition does not display all the movements OF
the stool pigeon business, it is satisfactory lucid
and explicit key TO the transactions which we have
taken pains TO expose, at every possible hazard.
The subject was a painful one-exceedingly so;
but having undertaken to examine it, we have not
faltered for single moment; and we may say that
we have been instrumental in breaking up one of
the most dangerous combinations that ever infested
the heart of respectable community. Though
justice is powerful is scarcely to be believed that
it could alone have succeeded in protecting the
innocent against designs and plots SO deeply laid
as to take many months for their exposure. This
community may wisely contrast its present secure
condition with what it might have been, had we
been SO untrue TO our public trust to have left
the current of iniquity to its own course What,
probably, would now be the position of society,"
Regardless, therefore. of the wordy, or more
substantial. violence, of such desperate adventurers
upon the good nature and unsuspicious confidence
Of this community, we commenced, studied, watch
ed, and applied ourselves zealously to the work
planned by those who have learned their criminal
tactics in the haunts of vice in England. One by
one, We have ferretted ou, every secret-every de-
sign; and if we had not the appreciation of every
good citizen for cleansing the Augean stable of
crime, at least, while life remains, we shall have
the satisfaction of having constantly striven in be-
half of the public good, and Of the peace and secu-
rity of society.