New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-04
CONSIDERATION IN THE CITY HALL
Trsc Grand Fury Attacks the Ring.
H0URTl0Y PUT TO THE QUESTION.
HE REFUSES 10 ANSWER.
HE IS SENT TO ELDRmGE-sT. PRISON

Tho Grand Jury Of the Oyer and Termner entered
the Courtroom Yesterday afternoon, and through their
foreman announced that witness summoned by them,
Mr. George Mountoy, bal refused TO answer questions
put TO him by them.
MIR. Mouniioy being present Judge Ingralam asked
him why he would not answer the questions.
Mr.. Momtioy stated thai they were OF such nature
that ne would prefer to have the advice OF mis- counsel
before answering them.
The JUDGE said he had that right and proceeded with
the tial Of eiy ease pending before him, while the
ejuhseI was sent for.
III 4 few minutes Mr.. Ialrmofe entered The Cond-
room. and Mr. Monntov after ashort consultation with
him arose md addressed the Court az follows;
If vour Honor please, cannot answer the question
nut 10 ne think it would degrade me IN the eyes oil
The community to do 80, and Will not answer II.
Judge Iusr ham--1he law Of The Legislature does
NOT excuse You on that ground You are appear and
give evidence. The testimony is not 10 be used against
Won in any prosecution against you civil or criminal.
Mr. MOGn'jo!-lhat Is AL nave 70 say cHj Iui"h
il will uo,raJo me.
Judge inlqpbanl-I do not think that it sufficient
excuse TIE evidence you will give TO the Grand Jury
is private and does not become known 10 the pubic'
The laws requires You 10 testify TO the Grand Jury III
regard to the matter which they have questioned yoq
on II is better 10 answer. The Foreman Of The Grand
| Jury will repeat the QUESTION.
Mr.. Mountioy-ThcIe Is no necessity oi that; re-
| fIte 10 answer.
Judge Inlrahaln Foreman, ask the question.
| The Foreman james G.. Kngl--FrOm whom, If any
one during the last three vears, have you received
money for the purpose Of lntr'ncin9 acton upon mat
ters pending before the Common COuIclll
! M. Mount joy refuse 10 answer.
Judge Ingfaham-lir. Nanderyoor THE Clerk you
| will draw mp commitment.
The commitment was drawn up and Mr. Mountjoy
was taken into custody. The law provides that in
these cases the offending parry shall be Imprisoned i'll
tho County Jail for term not exceeding hi:ty days
or by fine not exceeding $3.50. The Judge directed
M. Nountoy TO be imprisoned.
Daring the proceedings the courtroom was densely
crowded with spectators and in short time the care
VA the subject Of convcrslton in all the courts aud
Offices The rumor of hr. MounJoy srataining certain
moneys sad TO have been paid for the consummaton Of
the Hlckley rtreet-ceanng CONTRACT, were generally
believed to be the cause Of The nquiion by the Grand
jury but their proceedings being strictly secret, II IL
impossible 10 tell whether their inquiry WAS in refer
e1ce 20 that particular fubiect The following from
the laws of 1867 chap 40 fec 80 IL tie law in rela
| ton 10 bribery II municipal officers:
Every person who shall promise offer or give, or
eause or sid Gbet in cauriug 10 be- promised offered
or qyen or furnish to furnish, in whole or ~
par, to b. promised, offered or given, TO any member
Of the Common Of ANY snf a oisr OF ie
fore or after he s'all have qualified and taken his
SCAT any money, goods night ~ a'pon or other prop
trty or anyhpC OF value. any Zee niay advantage,
present o. prospective with intent to influence bis
| vote opinion or Judgment, action any question,
| matter cause or proceeding which may b. then pend
ing or may bg law DO brought before him m hs OIL
cia capacity, shall upon conviction, be Imprisoned In
penitenlary for term not exceeding tw" ycurs. or
shall be fined not exceeding 5000, or both, IN
the discretion of the Court. Every oficor 10 tins
section enumerated who shall acccut any such gift or
promise OF undertaking 10 make he same under any
agreement or undertaking that hi vote oFiun, judy
meut or action shall be Influenced thereby or rhall be
given in any particular manner, o. upon any particular
fide Of question, matter, cau-e OF prJctcdfg thea
pending, or which may by law be brought before bin
in biz Official capacity, shall upon conviction, be Or
qualified from holding any public Office. trust or up
| pnif tment under the Charter 81 the City Of New
York and thall forfeit hi- Office End shall be pun
| shed by imprisonment in the Peuilont!Ary not
| exceeding two Year, or 10y fine not exceed
| ing 5000 or both, IN the discretion OF the Court
| ANY perrOn offending agaInFt either Of the pro-
visions Of this section shall be "a cDmUe'eut witness
against any other person offending m the trans
| action and may b. compelled % appear and give evil
dehce before any Grand Jury or in any Court, in tie
came manner other persons, bat the testimony 20
given shall not be used in any prosecution proceed
ngs civil criminal against the person ~ tes,iiyInR
The law affecting Mr.. Mounioys ease is very slrici,
srd shoud writ Of habeas corpus be issued in his be-
half on return stating the facts the officer issungt tho
writ would have discretion, but would be compelled
10 remit the prisoner to custody Again, another Grand
Jury may PROFOUND the same question, and The Wit
ness still refuses to anger, he may be again imprs
| a1