The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-21
COURT OF GENERAL sESsIONs---sEcOND PART.
Borore Judge McCunn.
The following presentment was made by the Grand

The following preSentment was made by the GFaha
Jury
GRAND jury Room New YORK. Dec 90, 1851
The Grand Jury only present indictments when
specific complaints made on adequate evidence but
there are pubic nulances and evils either so mover us
have been tho subject of legislative restraint
chronic and formidable as to have defed laws,
which, N either case demand public attention. aud come
properly within tho pHryiew Of the Grand Inquest.
In the former class be ranked the concet saoons
which have multiplied rapidly within brief period,
with so skiu combination Of temptations, addressed to
the most debasng pass ns as TO render them extremely
dangerous 10 public morals They dazzle the eye by sen
saion advertisements, gaudy show bills ghcring gas.
lights bedzzened stage scenery and painted and cosumed
courtezans They address the ear by exciting music.
The love OF play is gratled by facilities for ganblng
The love OF drink stimulated by the solicitations Of
"prety waiter girls" whose infamy is made to con
tribute TO the attractions the place and 10 thu profits
Of its till Add TO this that admission TO these vile places
is either free or nxcd at merely nominal profits
depending mainly upon the sale VI liquor and that they
suffered to iunt their attractions thorough
fares and il is difficult conceive Of system Of nquity
seductive 10 sensual natures or more destructive OF
all that is virtuOus and decent among men.
II former years tho vicinity Of wharves WAS n.es-
ed with drinking and dlnce houses and brohes tho re
chiefly OF II native foreign birth andour
thorougharos had oniy places OF amusement comara,
tivoy innocent Ia their character. Now the Bowery Is
studded with beor gardens some or which nic often
throngcd by thousands Of men women and children Of
tagtons character, and broadway IL lined witt concert
saloons the character described, nearly every base
ment block containing ono Of this Class. Appron
tce boys clerks idle sons OF the yirtuous and the rich
grosser appetes gain the mastery Of reason and con
science, thus drawn into these open and accessible
retreats Of sensnay and vice. often to the rreteynbc
ruin character and hopcs Their very shamelessncss
furnishes immunity to these places; for Of virtue,
who would aune expose their iniquities, more
likely to visit or complain OF them than ofoher brohos
and gambling houses and IL is only in tho discharge OF
solemn duty the public that this body have felt
strained to investigate and drag into the light this sca
da!ous system Of popular Decentralization.
If 1t be true, the Grand Jury advised that the
existing laws are inadequate for the suppression OF these
nusGnecs, they would suggest the expediency oil the
earliest aud most stringent legislation, prohibiting ihc
employment Of females in places OF public anuHenoni
whore whssey, lager bier ether Intoxicating liquors
Sold forbGdng both the sale Of liquors and tho
employment OF female attenants ~ all theatres and 9th
or plac Of public amusement Even in tho most i'm
moral cities Of Erope thee is the strctct surveillance
Of places OF popular amusement; and it is due to the
traditions the habits and tho principles OF city ana
country claiming Christian civilization that organized
arrangements for the violation OF nearly every precep
a the moral code should not obtrde their ndccences aud
immoraltcs the frequented thoroughare Of the
mercial metropolis.
The Grand jury request that the Court win direct that
copy OF this prescutment be sent to the President Of
the Senate the Speaker OF tho House OF Assembly Of
this state, they shall have convened and to
the Mayor and Mayor eject Of the city Of New York Re-
specially submitted.
\. L. WINTHROP, Foreman.
HENRY OOTflOuT, Secretary.
SAMUEL S. CONSTANT, ASST Secretary.
The trial OF Charles r. Hornfager, lawyer for PERJURY
is going at present. and will be finished on Saturday