The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-07
THE ALLEGED CLERICAL picKpocKET.

Continuation ofthe Investigation-Ev or
Detective Omccrs ms to tho Practices Of Pick
pockets, &c.
The case Of the Rev. George r. williams, the Episco.
pal minister, who was arrested few days ago on
the charge Of picking adys pocket while riding in
Fifth avenue stage, up again on adjournment be-
fore Justice Dodge at the Jefferson Market Police Court
yesterday morning.
The court was crowded by very respectable Assem-
blage among whom the Right Rev. Horatso Potter,
ID, Episcopal Bishop Of New York; Rev. Dr. Hg-
bee and Rev. Dr. Morgan, OF New York; Rsv G g. Glib
son, Of Petersburg, Va; Rev. W. B. wellows OF Suf.
folk Va, and Rev. A. g Smith. Al the opening Of the
court tho counsel for the accused called detective ocor
George Elder TO testify TO the mode OF doing busi.
ness pursued by professional pickpockets Mr. Elder
sometimes in couples The testimony Of M. Elder q
well 40 that Of detective McDouga and Captain John
Young Of the detective iprcs was generally unmPoraut
The pocket Of the complainant produced and shown
tia. the rent in the pocket looked very much IKE the
which Is generally done IL BY cutting siit in the
pocket just large enough TO admit two nnger which
sSo % ana o ss Tins
pockeoook They generally try 70 have a. much Of tho
arm covered possible and having secured the pocket
They had known OF cases In which the pckpockes had
been obliged 70 eavehe pocketbook the or drop
in ' which The had BEEN uss y u
the pocket Of an innocent party AZ the con-
clusion Of the officers testimony the examination
opening Of tho court Mr.. q. Gibson OF Petersburg
Va. was called by the counsel for the accused. The
counsel for the plaintiff asked what Intended TO be
proved BY the testimony OF Mr. Gibson, and on being
Informed that proposed 10 show by testimony
OF Mr. Gibson and others who had known Mr. williams
that was highly improbable that he could have COM
mittcd the act with which he was charged; that his
previous character would be shown 70 have been such
TO preclude almost possibility Of his giving way any
temptation that would lead him TO the commission Of
the act charged against him The counsel read from
Wbarons criminal reports in proof OF hrs grounds that
testimony Of good character admissible and that
Juries might allow such testimony to have weight In
determining the probability Of aperson guilt when the
dence Counsel stated that In this the Justice was
In the place OF the jury and he asked that the evidence
be admitted. Mr.. Cunning $. Bedford, Jr, Assistant
that the authorizes quoted by the counsel for the
cuscd related only TO trials before petit jury; that the
justice In police court was simply magistrate with
the power TO determine whether the party arragn a
should be commtted await the action OF the Grand
Jury; the magistrate was simply TO decide whether OF
not there was probable cause 70 suppose the accused
directly on the case; that he was not vested with
the power OF either judge jury, and couhf
not decide on the question Of the or guilt Of
an accused party. Mr. Bedford then asked that al
though the statutes prescribed rule in the cas the
Justice rule " only for precedent that evidence of pre-
vious good character could not be admitted In prelm
nary examination Counsel for the accused then asked
that as several Of bis witnesses had come great dis
lance and were anxious 10 return 10 their homes thely
testimony DO taken and should his Honor decide 10 ex
punge afterwards, II could readily be done Mr. Bed
ford objected 70 any testimony being entered on the
records which might be subsequently ruled out
Justice Dodge then stated that the admission az such
evidence was rather out Of the usual order Of procedure
but as this case was rather extraordinary matter he
would adjourn the further hearing until three O'Clock
this tFrdavl afternoon, and In the meantime would
thoroughly consider the matter