The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-01-05
COURT or GENERAL ssssoss.



Judge Bedford 10 the Grand Jury.
Before Cunning s. Bedford. Jr., City Judge
The January term OF this court commenced yester-
day morning, ana was held In the chamber OF the Su-
preme Court, General Term, IN consequence Of ex-
tensive alterations being made In the room occupied
by tns court. The room was crowded by number
OF our most distinguished citizens who were drawn
thither to witness the Inauguration Of the new City
Judge, who was summoned BY an unprecedented
vote OF his fellow citizens to the responsible and hon.
orablc posonor Judge Of the highest criminal court
In this city.
shortly arter eleven O'Clock Judge Bedford took his
seat upon the bench He was accompanied by cx-
Judge Garvin the recently appointed District Attor-
ncy) and Robert q. Hutchngs. his assistant.
The clerk proceeded TO call the panel Of Grand Jn-
rors, after which the Judge selected Mr. Francis II.
Amidon to act as foreman. After the Grand Jury
were sworn Judge Bedford charged them ~ fol-
lows:--
NIX. FOREMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF rnE GRAND
JuRY:Tncre Is better guide Tor the faithful per-
Torrance OF the sacred duties devOlving upon you
than the oath winch has just been administered tn
each one Of you-an oath solemn ana Impressive In
It's nature definite In Its character, comprehensive
and yet concise in IT. terms. That oath, let
mind You, declares THAT you shall diligently inquire
ana true preseniment make OF all sucn matters aud
for the people Of this state, your fellows and yoar
own, YOU snail keep secret: you shall present no one
one unpresensed through fear. isvor, affection Or
hope VI reward; but you sha1 present AL things
truly they come TO your knowledge, according 10
your understanding. so help you Cod" By the
simple lulfllment Of this oata you WIN have at
discharged your duty TO the STATE, to the accused
a as wv src anu SSs n poweS
il indeed inmitcd fSf your acts sou are irrespon-
s,b Save e ySnr own I
tice II done lei u be temporal win Iaercs.
u has been said s9at- - z.ana Jury ought
to be thoroughly D@o Of sas truth Of rs al,
nd!c,wfpt ." ~. a. their evidence goes aud not TO
do~ sassaed merely with remote rrcba,ai,es-a
purposes.r Tue importance and value OF thls
remark you can all fully appreciate, stealiy bear
inE In mind how easy t II for grandlurs toindict
and yet how dncult very d,rcult n ~ Tor the
party indicted ever CONF ietey TO regain hls good
Tie caraet Distrlct Attorney "a the law oiiser u
the Court and either he or his assistant wi be IN
readiness, should you at any time require lesal az
vice. sixteen OF your body constitute quorum aud
twelve OF your number must concur 70 hni Dbl.
Thc statute makes IL o misdetneanor for any grand
Juror ofcsr OF tho court to dsclose the fact that
an indictu,ent has been found for felony against
any one IA actual confnefnent until suca party
be arrested The statute inaAes it incumbent upon
Usury Lottery and Elccion laws also 70 laws again 8
the taking Of illegal fees ~ pubic officers aDd 10 an
ssle q tlcseis apon sssses also al act 70 suppress
intemperance and 10 rrgulas the sale Of iBtoyl
eating liquors.; and 10 an at for the suppression q
the trade in and c.-cuntiOn of obscene literature,
fluctuations, advertisements, ana articles OF inde.
cent or immoral use And rassed Apri Is, led.
With these few remarks, gcnt cmen, ] wiz order
to be placed in your hands "A Brief fos Crari
Jurors,n prepared by the Hon. A. Oakley Hal, tle
accomplished aud cm!nenty distinguished late Dis
tct Attorney Of this county, whose ability, zeal and
fidelity to the interests OF tie people during LIS
many terIns OF once are SO well known aud 80
highly appreciated that sbev speak fer Themselves
and need 10 corlaaenf 1his "lriefii will be OF great
service and value 70 yea IN POUR deiiberauons during
the present term. Gentlemen. You may now retire
and enter upon your duties.
Tho panel Of petit jurors was called and the
Customary excuses MADE By number Of them for