Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-07-15

CRIMINAL CorRf.-Yestesday, in the case Of
Roaioe eesa1nhls sNorweeds eharged with falsely
imPrisoning and assaulting james e. Stuart. Mr.
Norris Tor defence, prayed the Court TO instruc,
the Jury as to the powers and duties Of offcers.
The Court Instructed them a. follows -. 20
Gentlemen: As you are aware Mr.. Norwood
\ u indicted for an aAsaIlt and battery uoou
Mr. Stuart false il.nsissnniens of the piaintif 4
is also included IN the Indictment 3 OF cc,,rs-
! we have to state to YOU what tie laws are I'm
I ,. to the powers Of police ehieers they
special dsty of police officers or auxiliary guard
Gas portion Of them Is called here) is to ss,pprss
disorders occurring either on the street or witiin
doors II in passlng house they should discov. r
disturbances within, they have the power and il
10 their duty to enter and restore order That Is
what they are employed for. that the people shall
not De disturbed In theif slumbers. IT, for in
stance, they are passing grog shop and there is
noise inside, II is their duty to 90 in and sup
press 1T and II an officer in endeavoring 10 p-rfor IN
his duty in this respect Is killed in the melee il
would be murder. II has so beer decided over
and over again The rule in relati onto constables
is that they cannot arrest without first obtaining
warrant unless they themselves were witnesses of
the alleged violation Of peace and order
In the case Of police officers they have greater
power; it is precisely what they are employed for
Whether or not there ample cause In this case
Tor the arrest Of the party, is question Of fact for
has nothing to do. But If there was a disorder
there at that time II the duty of the officer to
arrest the parties who were creating this disturb
ance-If persons will violate the laws they must
suffer the consequence Of such violation-they are
not TO be shielded by any supposed responsibility
OF standing or anything of that sort. II the dis
order existed the officer was right; if it did not
exist 1t was unnecessary. The cruelty and severity
may be wrong, but still the officer Is to arrest him
IL disorderly The officer, il is not to be supposed
can always consider how gently or how roughly
he may treat Priso1er-they are very apt to resist
pull back, and all that kind of thing, and the
officer is authorized to much power as
necessary to effect the performance of the law.
The jury returned a verdict of acquittal.
Moses Bridwell and Martha Bridwell were then
placed on trial on charge of keeping bawdy
house =
To-day, the Court having met, the case of Bird
well and wife was continued
Several witnesses were examined on both sides,
and, upon the conclusion of the testimony. the
case was given to the jury, who had not returned
verdict when our report closed.
This morning, after examination, Lawrence w
James, Esq was presented to the Court, and duly
admitted to practice as attorney and counsellor
Of the Criminal Court of this District.
The grand jury, in drawing towards the close of
their labOrs for the present term, have submitted
the following report to the Court in relation to the
County Jail: ... ... s-
wAsuINGToN CRY, ID. c., July IA, 1850.
The Grand Jurors for the June term, 1859, of
the Criminal Court for the County Of Washing
ton, in the District of Columbia. hereby repor,
that they In body visited the Jail of said county
on the 18th inst TO inquire into the condition OF
tue DultoihS ana tne persons confined therein.
They made thorough examination of the cells
and yard, and they could discover nothing excep-
tionable, but rather creditable to those who are
charged with police and discipline OF the prison.
The building and the yard are clean, and SO far
as they are competent to judge, the food is whole
some. '.-''
The prisoners appear to be in good health, al.
thong b some OF the rooms are too much crowded
particularly those allotted to the colored persons
We do not think there is any suffering among the
prisoners, except that which may arise from their
own evil conduct or from those restraints which
Just and necessary laws require in order render
confinement punishment.
The building appears to be in good repair; bu,
1t is not sufficiently large. II was erected at a
period when the population Of the city of Wash
ington was not more than half as numerous as II
is at present The Grand Jurors are of the opinion
that much larger building is desirable; one with
very high walls to prevent the escape of extremely
| desperate, daring and depraved prisoners, and
one with better accommodations for the tailor
and his assistants.
All which is respectfully submitted
w. GUNTON, Foreman.