The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-22
CRIME IN THE METROPOLIS.

CRIME IN THE METROPOLIS
PREsENTMENT OF THE GRAND JURY RELATIVE TO THE
INCREAsEoF CRIME IN NEW YoRK--sENTENCE OF
DEATH PRONOUNCED UPON JAMES RODGERS FOR THE
MURDER OF JOHN swANsToN-JoHN B. HOLMES SEN
TENcED TO FIFTEEN YEARS IMPRISONMENT IN THE
STATE PRIsoN-oTHER sENTENCEs-THE ALLEGED
PERPETRATORS OF THE GREENWICH STREET IRA
GEDY ARRAIGNED AND PLEADED NOT GUILTY
SCENES IN COURT, ETC., ETC.
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS.
Before Judge Russell.
The November term Of the General Sessions during
which efficient City Judge transacted large amount
of business often sitting 10 late hour in the evening TO
carry out iniexible rule made by him. namelyo ex-
haust days calendar before adournngwas brought
TO close at yesterday His Honor the
fencing OF number Of prisoners who convicted OF
grave offences during themonth till this day, the
noted of whom James Rodgers and John Holmes.
Atan early hour the morning crowds Of citizens could
be seen vending their way TO the court room anxious
to witness the solemn proceedings, and
as the doors were thrown open the curious multitude
eagerly sought admttanoe, elbowng and crushing each
other their very existence depended upon obtaining
admittance, tramplng alike upon the rules of etiquette
and the Of their brethren Soon after 10 o'clock
hour before the opening OF the Court for business the
room crowded TO excess and the seats within the bar
allotted TO members of the legal profession called
into requiston. The fair represented by few
ladies' whose curiosity witness the proceedings exceed
ed the fear OF having their bones dsocaed in endeavorng
seats In order to avoid undue excitement, the
officers attached the Court Of Sessions took the prccau
by escortng the prisoners from the Tombs at early
hour the morning and lodged them securely in the place
allotted them Promptly at the hour Judge Russell took
his seat upop the bench and ordered Mr. Walsh 10 omen
the Court His Honor joined by Mr.. Barnard
the Recorder elect-who presided with much dignity,
giving evidence by his demeanor that he will fulfil the
high expectations Of citizens who have called him
to the high Office Of criminal judge. The sherif-James
willeti Esqwas also present to perform his part Of
the mournfu drama which about TO be enacted and
occupied seat by the prosecuting officer.
The Grand Jury then made their appearance, and
through their foreman presented number of Indictments
together with the subjoncd prcscnment 10 the Court Az
his Honors request Henry vandervoor ESQ., the clerk,
read H. The recitation Of the document was listened 10
with great attention by the large audience and Is
follows
pREsEsTMETr OF THE GRAND JURY RELATIVE TO THE
RECENT MUEDEEs-THE CONDITION OF TILE IssTI-
TUTIoss, ETC.
The Grand Jury having finished the business submitted
their charge, would respectfully report to the Court
That there Is in this city at the present time alarming
Of crime which demands at the hands OF those
authority most prompt and decisive action.
The unusual number OF the calendar presented
TO show that large majority Of them committed by
the youth Of city from Is to 20 of OF
which the most aggravatng In conversation with
Of them they show perfect Indifference 10 their
fate having been schooled and graduated from houses
that disgrace TO our cy-some OF which We have
presented 10 the Court
We are pleased 10 witness that the ends OF Justice
have been furthered by the prompt action Of the Court
and Petit Jury in all and every case presented by US
assassinaions murders highway robbcries, purglares
Sc behooves this Grand Jury and others TO call upon
city authorities and Police Commissioners 70 increase
their force Immediately with good and men for the
protection Of the lives and homes Of our citizens.
The habit Of carrying concealed weapons about the per-
evil in community to which special attention called.
of large number Of cases before US have tho
youth and aged, crippled and MANNED for life, by this
lawful and unwarran,ablc practice, which calls for
severest condemnation.
Having large number OF prisou witnesses before u.s.
he Gran ingpe our
city prison, and have most chcerfuy awarded 10 the
mairon Mrs Foster) the credit OF providing clean and
comfortable apartments for them and attending 10 their
wants In a moet satisfactory manner
The prison under charge of Mr. Gray the keeper, IL in
healthy and proper oCodtsn-he prisoners appear 10
have all necessary aienton-and merit our entire ap
probation
attending 70 the complaint Of former Grand Jury in re-
gard 10 prison witnesses by having the building formerly
occupied by them in White and Franklin streets fitted up
for their especial comfort and protection, thereby
ng the stigma of 'prison Witnesses"
In visiting the institutions the different Islands
and every department under the c1pec o the Board q
meriting ai eur hands this passing notice.
The 1sttui9pown as she - house q Refuge under me
a model institution for Z" the reformation q juvenile
delnqucnts" There at present some 600 males and
females most Of whom working at trades some four
tn Eve hours devoted 10 the teaching Of them,
under proper and efficient teachers.
The New York Juvenile Asylum situated NJ 175th street
In city. and similar institutions, deserving of
notice They institutions for the prevention Of crin,
by taking the youth in their infancy, and teaching them
the path of duty and giving them trades and occupations
they otherwise would fail 10 receive Within the past
week 100 have been West under the guidance
o proper overseer, 10 useful and proper employment
and would call upon Police Justices consider the
homeless and rendess children, and those accused of
small and petty crimes, 10 remember these institutions
and the public generally 10 Interest themselves and visit
them.
The PenAentiary at Blackwes Island nj the present
time crowded with inmates part Of the female depart
nent being allotted 10 the males and unless stop put
10 crime N our chy the prison must be enlarged IN order
10 provide for their necessities.
The workhouae on the island, established IN 1sts IA
worthy Of mention. Here all the articles of wearing ap.
pare made for the ocnvcts the island. The rooms
are spacious and comfortable and all those sent the
Amsbouse providud with some trade that is useful
them and profit o the city, aud fully realizes the cxpcc
tations Of ~ orignators
GARRISON CRoIJus, Foreman
GFoRcg " PETERSON, Secretary. ~