The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-01-25

Grand Jury
Asahel A. Denman Fore Charles Z. Ieveridge,
mani, Sas w. Masters,
LOWS X Bridge. Edwin Peck,
Daniel d. Bedell, George s. Phillips,
Melnncthon Burr George W. Powers,
william J. Fish, William r Skif,
Norman Francis, James d. Taylor,
Charles N. Fearing, Albert IL Tilton
VIM Habirshaw, John Townsend,
Henry w. Hunt, Oliver B. Tweedy,
A. j. Hardenbergh, Charles X. Whittemore-
James Kelly
The City Judge proceeded to charge the Grand Jury
as follows
tutons of the land, and deemed and righteously So
Of the most important Of criminal bodies and while
do not think necessary 70 detaln you In S 81 &
your attention TO the great importance Of your body and
TO the power it has for doing good and creating
this community. The Grand Inquest was not designed
originally is its aim now, the punishment Of crime
It's duty also is to protect the innocent the weak
and the helpless and oppression Your
body invested with all the attributes OF mercy and
Justice having for its aim and object the security or
the citizen against unfounded and malicious accusations
It's members have always bees, and now, selected
from the first men Of the land, TO the end that they
might the better be prepared to perform the important
makes It part Of my duty, that should call your
attention 70 certain laws. First, to the laws
cs ha. good RESULTS have from
calling the attention Of the Grand Jury TO this law.
than per fer be Or loan Of has
declared IL 70 be msdemeanor The statute makes II
recsyns any greater fees than that allowed by
law 10 demand or receive any fec or compensation
for official services unless actually rendered The ec
tion law which provides that any person who shall by
bribery other corrupt means attempt to influence an
elector giving his vote hinder him in the free exer
else OF the right of suffrage shall be punished by fine and
imprisonment. Also suppress inemperance,
and to regulate the sale Of intoxicating liquors. will
specially call your attention to that part Of this act
which directs you inquire into complaints against per
charged with adueratng intoxicating liquors with
poisonous or other deleerous drugs which acts are also
Aarlnr In NtGlov
fraud in the sale OF tickets upon steamships and
other vessels. This law, gentlemen, was designed
to protect the emgrant and stranger passing through
our city, from the impositions and inroads Of
desperate class Of men. The city Of New York
is the centre trade this continent and is the great
Western depot Of the world II Is from this city all take
leave OF people is the half way house for the way
farng and wearied emisrant journey ing from his home
In the Old World seeking for happier and better in
the Far West OF the New Such laws as this, when pro-
pcry administered, give character to city, increase
its greatness, inspire confidence In those trading and
doing with US, and courts aud uries should
visit with the severest punishment those found guilty Of
teries- do not believe that there is more demorazing
practice carried In city, that Is attended
with more runous consequences than this same policy
practice, and II the efforts OF your body by any
che stop the ruin which this branch Of crime
Is entang upon the portion Of our citizens, you
certainly will BIO entitled TO the thanks Of all well mean
ing men In any Of these cases, if the proper par
ties como before you in the proper FORM your i'm
pess've duy WI 90 70 givo them has ,aI sPs
Of violating any OF these laws will say so BY finding
true bill against the parties charged In the dis
charge Of your important duties as Grand Jurors you
should ndutriousy keep in view the welfare and good
government Of our growing people, and IN doing 50
trust this Court will be enabled, far as in its
power lies 10 assist you in the per Of those du
ties and In seeing that the people OF this city are pro
tected in their rights and privileges We have good
and efficient police system and with proper attention TO
the carry out OF laws, and In the fair and Impair
tia administration Of JUSTICE see NO reason whatever
w. the citizens of this city should not be properly pro-
tected In ifvestga-c matters which come before 80.
gentlemen YOU viii trust, use the proper dscrirnlns.
ton and with stern and scsnzng inteects suited TO
the serious and important business 10 which you are en-
gagged give the different cases your careful attention
Some very learned and eminent have doubted the
poprey and In some cases the power OF grand juries
pcsnt, gentlemen, have no doubt whatever;
ofopnion that they possess the power the same
time deem my duty TO suggest 10 you-and believe
present able ana efficient District Attorney also
deems 1t advsablethat complaints against individuals
sS, no. come before you IN inc mr., hrs' instance ana
clearly is to send the same nj once before magistrate
and there allow tho parties charged with crime 10 have
an opportunity OF proving their innocence" There are
exceptions to this rule-such when tho complaint Ia
against corporation to abate nuisance, when tho
party charged with crime resides Of the State and
10 those instances you should consult with the
learned District Attorney TO what you should
pursue, at all events gentlemen Tho tribunal Of the
magistrate Is the proper place for complaints first to ORR
gnae Magistrates have been created for that purpose
20 that innocent parties charged with crime may
these remarks will aso add that IN all clear cases
which como before you you will, without any
regard TO the position Of parties perform your
win doubtiessy grow With H. Therefore becomes the
imperative duty Of our Judges and grand nquss,s to soc
that Laws carried out TO the letter. to that
those Who ~, In pcaceable community like this armed
TO tho teeth with bowie knife and derringer DO dealt
with outlaws, and suffer accordingly AT the same
time think our laws In the administration thereof
should DO tempered with mercy, and just discrimina
ton observed a. to the nature crime committed
our criminal laws have two objects in vew-one, and
the main Ii 10 protect our citizens In the full enjoy
IN ho fpypd
Laws They also have IN view, think the reformation
o the criminal that whea he is permitted again TO
large those good principles which have been ncucated
during the time OF his punishment may admonish him
from again violating those laws and to that end IL Is
penitsntarics, and other institutions connected with
city, that their wants may be made known
have erept in be properly presented by your body You
have doubt gentlemen with many others Interested
In the welfare Of our city observed with regret the very
large increase Of taxation from to year and which
has grown burthensome 70 al classes OF community
Perhaps however We do not look fairly upon the other
side OF the picture to wit the increase Of property
and the rents and profits thereof and which, think, in
very great measure compensacs for this great
But, In addition 10 this, II those In authority would
that our laws carried out and properly adml-
nistered and the officials OF the different depar OF
cay government be compelled 70 do their duty honest
ly, am sure that the benefits which would result from
such state Of things would amply compensate our cti
zcns and that they would Notwithstanding such heavy
taxation res entirely satisfied knowing that al the taxes
imposed would again return 10 them In the shape Of
good and healthy system q government for our oity
SAY tnB 70 you All sincerity, ana WIN adu,
In addition thereto, that tho Grand Jury d this
county can do mere towards compslisg ON
cials 70 perform their duty than any oshsr branch
Of Judicial system In your hands rests preventive
for nearly all the crime which may be praotised
contemplated on the institutions ssA laws o. our city,
and you are called spon By all THAI righteous ana just
70 apply the remedy Il Is for yos, In great measure,
gentlemen, 70 sAy wbethW official dcnquencies shall
faint and oontamnate entire stream OF our municipal
govcnment; whether our Ssbbshs and our holidays
shs DO delight or disgrace ~ M; whether riot and
profanity sha al streets, poverty oar dwellings,
convct our aik and violence land; or whe,her In