The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-05
NJ. ssdgw,ck then moved for the judgment of the

NJ. ssdgwick then moved for the judgment Of the
M Ashmesae said th the course taken by the District
Attorney wAs unusual.
The Recorder observed that 1t was the practice OF TINS
court sentence prisoner immediately on his c'nvic
Afer further debate, lr. Branch was arrsigued and
asked wnat had ne 70 say why sentence sno0o no. DO
He sad-I VAS not prepared this and desire 70 have
. few moments 70 collect my Thoughts.
His Honor readily granted him the indulgence, anu
pending the interval hts counsel handed up 10 writing
legal objection to the immediate passing Of sentence
Recorder-Now Mr.. Mancn, we sre ready 70 hear you
Every eye turned upon Branch, who rose and
sai!-How much Latitude VIII you give ms2a the scope
wart9 tre.yeesng from Lie cha far back 20 can
go2 (re.rexsing sl further from hE 0sg IA poston)w
Joa let me 60 back 70 the pos2
The Recorderwho previously wss OF the opinion inst
the prisoner meant 70 nsu. him, lerceivng that Branch
referred to his autobiography and not - the space winch
be would occupy on the oornad snzt he cou1 have all
Branch proceeded-I am sorry was 1rprepEre3; but:
NY counsel has made al e,rt Of which an proud, OF
which his colleagues may be proud snG Of whsn goo may
be proud (look ing al the Cour.).
Recorder am, sir.
BrGnch-I am CORY was not prepare, Fo- sais
gency and do not ths. can say s.yh.ns q &C.
fence against such powers.
Branch then in an ncoheren speech geye account
Of his birth and adventures dc told ne came 70 ss
city poor, riendess boy, thrytvo years sgo-hoF ne
learned tho printing business narrated his adv entures ~
eprne field Provideuce Boston, Washington and Phlads
phiahow acquired classical educstonhow he t.19nt
negroes public nen--and stated that he wrote Aired
reports from 1850 to 1867. n 1885,. said he. 81
got campaign called the nasel campaign. Ipursled
him to Brandon, Eugand find his birthplace aad you
all know the result Carson gave mo an ouIue ot MS
report, and while was writing = be informed ms tnas
engine companies also OF the general dkcrg Of
the fire Department He stated tina. the oi;srs in the
City Hall interfering the affairs OF the Fire Depart
mont, and that they were introducing politics into the
department l advised him 10 resist the measure. Hs
through with the Frcnchman (whom Bran ch claimed to
have expoeed he having imposed upon the public by what
be claimed to be system OF artificial memory), my
California pilgrimage, teaching public men and servants,
the Ere and police campaign, when finally thought
would start the alligator and did start II; and do not
regret i'll do not regret it, There is gang of theves
round this City Hall and your Honor knows II; we ali
know IL. That gang Of thieves have pursued for many
years have pursued them hard have passed da?s and
nights In welding pen against those thieves aud In de-
fence Of honest industryn defence OF the taxpayers
rich and poor, bu. especially the poor taxpayers, who
60 the groceries barefocted and Naked who live
in cellars and attcs, and in the open air. upatc,
called have passed the best portion OF my days 10 defence
his enemies, ask Harry Howard, q saw him here just
pow) ask the editors ask them have not passed my
night hours IN those editorial habts,ions have not
been true TO them true Carson and true 10 Briggs, Tex
Alderman who occupied sea. beside Branch during toe
day. and to all for whom professed friendship, to all
whom found the advocates, the defenders, and the
friends Of the poor taxpayers DO regret the establish
men OF the Alligator? No. shouting vocierously)
And WHY have not attacked people in this city ndis
bad reputation public officers, and ottentimes almost
amid tears my shafts fell harmless but now have struck
years-the Peter Cooper dynasty. Peter Cooper
Alderman in 1873, 1929. and 1910, and Temann
Alderman in 1889, IA 49, and '53, and through Alder
man Denman, who Of my pupils, first learned
| that TemsDn and Cooper were corrupt men,
The Recorder interrupted Branch a. this juncure OF bis
speech stating that he would have 10 stop tina! course Of
remark
Mr.. Ashmeade--you will remember the example OF
Lord Norbury and Fmme 10 whom the counsel alluded
three times OF his speech the jury.
Recorder-Mr. Branch, If you have anything 10 say
why you should not be sentenced, you may say H. but
mt hQr IN &li In n
influential and respected citizens.
Branch continued-I will not tell where have secured
my Information give the names OF the men Peter
Cooper taught in bis own him era nmnr
and his daughter ALSO have proclaimed that fact and
H. But If had taught my father, AID was satsaed that
he was corrupt, would have trampled him have at.
tackled the Peter Cooper dynasty. For that arragned
viii walk with a firm step into that dungeon Before
God declare with my baud on my heart tha. this Is the
happest moment Of my life What have stolenS Whom
have ] murderedY VIVA, Is my crimeY
have pursued the plunderers Of the masses,
Ya cso hr yVa ~. eearder me- ths
secution can desert the human family can desert
me; but God Will not desert (seizng the chair and
dungeon.
Branch was about walking away from the bar towards
the prisoner's box when he summoned 10 by the
Recorder, who, in passing sentence, addressed him
thus
REMARKS or Tue RKcoRDR on PASSING SENTENCE
Ola the most outrageous lbels that bsve dis
graced The city OF New York. this probably the rankest
and the worst-a libel without excuse, totally false
AMI atuated by feelings Of hostility, such would al
standing character in the community have been wine
fed in such way 10 make almost ash amef OF tue
Eoglsh language 10 other pure and non,rabe cit
zns have been dragged from the privacy Of Their hre
sides and branded thieves and villains OF the wors.
character and grade In those cases. ALSO there
justification for your conduct GA these you
would have been convicted had been nc Iuit'od on
tha You have becd Mr. Bennett, editor OF the HElD,
Mr. Raymond, OF the Times and Mr. Greeley, OF the 7i
buas; Mr. Hart, Surveyor Of the Port, Mr.. Sckes, q
member or Congress- and Mr. Cooper, one OF the most
upright and honest In the Union, aud
ment TO this or any other country. II you had
not been checked in your ncfarious pursuit, no one
could have told where you would have stopped.
you had been acquitted, the jury had disagreed II
would have been license for nbeliers 70 start all
ner OF vile sheets FOR the purpose OF black ma malice or
revenge No would have safe character would
have been injury, and high petition mark 10 prsctce
a.. This verdict, however, settles the fact that
bic to be punished crmusy, unless he substantaie
H. There are several other hbelless 10 be tried, all OF
whom, conviction under similar crcu instances, will
meet with similar punishment You being tue pioneer ON
that the example set day may be the Of deter
ring others from engaging IN Ike pursuits.
The sentence OF the Court Is thai you be imprisoned 10
the Pententary, at Black wos Island, Tor year and
be fined $3.50, and stand committed TIL the fne be paid
His rcrnarm conclude as foowS:-The sentence OF the
Court that you be sent 10 the pentenary for
and lined $50 and stand committed I'LL the foe be paid
The prisoner taken IN charge by the officers OF The
court, and the immense audience soon vacated the
building.
MrsicAr NArrERs-rm oP,1A NKxr srAsoS.--9y all &C
counts the musical world on This side Of the will be
unusually lively during the coming season. There VII
strakosh and Ullman. The programme Of Mr.. Msrezsk
h.r~ f~~ 49, nra