Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-02-01

CASE OF Rev. GEORGE t. WILLIAMS. We
noticed few days ago, that Rev. George l.
Williams, of Virginia, who was arrested in New
York sometime ago, charged With picking the
pocket of lady in stage, had: at length, been
committed for trial. Justice Dodge, before
whom the case was brought, delivered this
opinion: l. 80. !
I consider the following facts as having been
established. That on the second day OF NOvem-
her last the complainant entered tlfth avenue
stage and seated herself at the extreme end OF
the left hand side that the only persons on
the same side were two ladies'; one at the end
nv the door. the other seated midway. That
the next person who entered that stage was the
prisoner, George T. Williams, who took seat
Immediately next to the complainant, and con
tinued to occupy the same till the discovery OF
the alleged larceny; and no person at any time
sat between the complainant and Mr.. Williams
As the stage approached Twenty second street,
there was seen by 4 passenger seated opposite
h1r. Williams, movement under the uress OF
the complainant, and Immediately attcwards
the hand of the prisoner was Withdrawn ifouI
hereunder with Il pocket book III IT, which ne
instantly placed in the left hand breast pocket
of his coat, and then arose and pulled the strap
to stop the stage The evidence further show
ed that the prisoner was called upon for the
pocket. book, and denied that he had it: that
he was taken hold Of by some OF the passengers,
wherGurnn he struggled and succeeded IN tree
ing himself from their grasp, and fell from the
step; that on the demand for the pocket book
being renewed he took it out OF his pocket and
handed it to the owner: that when arrested be
stated to the officer that he found it on the floor
of the stage, and when brought before the
court that he found it on the seat. These facts
are established by Witnesses whose testimony
was very clear, and who could have no occasion
| TO mlsreprGScnt.
On the other hand, it appears that the plls-
oner has been for Il number OF years reputa-
bic member OF the sacred profession, the teach
| inrs of which are Numerically opposed to the
commi,oi Of the crime alleged against him.
! The prisoner has borne, outWardy at least, q
high character, and those who know him well
state that they are unable to believe be could
have thought OF committing, much less have
committed, the offence charged Detectives
have al.o been introduced who consider that
the cut IN mplainanJ' dress pocket was made
by no "green hand in the business. | have
carefully weighed all these facts and consider
that, taken in connection with the law appllca
bic thereto, | would not be justified in dlscharg-
ing The prisoner The law marks out certain
facts, which, when established, are considered
as proving crime-such as denial of property
afterwards found in the possession or the rr1s-
oner, and different statements made by prison
er in explanation Of suspicious circumstances.
This case seems to be marked By a number Of
such proofs of guilt. High character is emit
lied to and has received in this case great con-
| -. nla ~
proren facts. | therefore decide that there Is
probable cause for supposing the crime charged
has been committed By The prisoner, and that
The papers must be sent to the grand jury 10
take such action as they may deem advisable III
the premises
Mr.. williams is held in 81 900 bail to answer
at the General Sessions.
The speech OF Horace Greeley, ut the New
York meeting in aid Of the destitute in the
South was in pleasing contrast 10 the haranguc
Of Henry Ward Beecher, which we have here
tolorc noticed
''rhe idea on which his speech was framed
was, that the generous city OF New York needs
no other persuasion to charity than to be made
| fully acquainted with the distress that re-
uuires relief Putting out Of view all the pc
| ltica questions on which men differ, and every
topic Of remembrance which has any briar Of
irritation in it, he gave i clear and pertinent
explanation of the present distressing condi-
ton Of the South and Gifts causes. and pointed
out the means of relief which have the best
chance to be effective. Nothing could be
more c0nsideratc, humane, and judlcous than
| his kind and clumsy remarks, which can CRATE
on no mans scnsibilitieS, either in the North
] - a.