The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-04
Law Relating TO Bribery.

The following bill to amend the existing law rela-
tive TO brbing public officers was introduced intothe
Senate on notice OF Mr. Taber referred to the judi
ciary committee, and has been reported favorSby:-
ACT AMEND THE EXISTING LAW RELATING BRIBERY.
The people of the State Of New York, represented in
senate and Assembly, do ennct as follows
see l. The ninth and tenth sections in article second
OF title four chapter one part four, Of the Revised Sta
ues of this State which arcle il entitled 'Of bribery
as as. to 'r read dp as follows lows anu ''' ' "''
Q. Every person who shall promise, offer give. or
aid or abet in causing to be promised offered
given furnish agree to furnish in whole in part
to be promised offered given to the Governor Lieu
tenant Governor, to any member of the Senate As
semby of this State after his election such member
and either before after he shall qualified and taken
his seat to any Commissioner of the Land Office of
the Canal Fund, any Canal Commissioner; TO the
Comptroller Surveyor General State Engineer and Sur.
veyor Secretary of State Attorney General Superin
tendent Of the Banking Department. to Judge of
court Of record to any judicial officer whatever any
member of the Common Council of city in this State
or to any Mayor Recorder Treasurer Chamberlain or
Comptroller Of such CITY, to any other officer of such
city of any department Of the thereof
money goods right in action other property, any
thing of value, any pecuniay advantage, present
prospective ITO be furnished to for him to for
any member of his family relative of hs with intent
TO influence his vote opinion judgment action any
question, matter, cause or proceeding, which may be
then pending, or may by law be brought before him in
cd in State prison not exceeding years shall be
sned not exceeding five thousand dollars BOTH in the
discretion of the court.
10. Every officer in the last section enumerated who
shall accept such gift promise undertaking
to make the same under any agreement understanding
that his vote opinion judgment action shall be nu
enced thereby shall be given in any particular
upon any particular side Of any question, matter,
proceeding then pending, which may by law
be brought before him in his official capacity shall upon
conviction be for dis qualified from holding any pub
lie Office trust appointment under the constitution
laws Of this State; shall forfeit his Office, and shall be
punished by imprisonment in State prison not exceed
ing ten years by fine not exceeding five thousand
dollars, or both, in the discretionfof the court.
Sec q The said article second of title four ID hereby
further amended by adding at the end thereof the follow
title four
13 Every person offending against either of the pro-
visions OF sections nine and tcn in this article shall be
competent witness against any other person offending In
the transaction, and may be compelled to appear
and give evidence before any grand Jury court in
the same manner other persons but the testimony
given shall not be used in prosecution proceeding
civil or criminal, against the person testifying.
Any person offending as in the last seetion is spe
cited may be indicted and tried for the same in any
county in which such offence shall he committed in
any adjoining county In any prosecution for such Of
fence II any person shall refuse, without Just
omit to appear either before the grand jury in the
court according to the requirement. Of any subpoena
that purpose duly served upon him. II any competent
witness there present shall when duly required refuse
omit to testify the court in which such prosecution shall
be pending may in addition to any ether punishment
such person witness be imprisoned until he shall
sent to appear and testify and may in its discretion,
der any trial in which such witness may refuse omit
TO testify TO be suspended Juror from time to time u
be withdrawn and the trial postponed until the esmo
Y of such witness be Obtained,