The New York herald., 1870-01-05
JUDGE DOwLMG'S AFTERNOON WALK.
The Ex-Detoctive, as Judge, Taking a
Little Side Practice in His Old Pro-
.g fession-Ihe, Bestraddled Nose,
or the Old Lady's Delusion.

The Court OF Special Sessions convened yesterday
morning at the usual hour, the day being, however,
'red letter day" IN The legal calendar Of Judge
Bixbys history. lie sat on the bench for the first
time yesterday morning Judge, and IN his maiden
case he had his associate, Judge Downing as the
only witness In the FIRST case he was called upon to
deal with In his official capacity.
Broadway was very crowded ON Monday; 1t was the
ladies' day for the New YEARS. calls, ana they
thronged the sidewalks in gay and brilliant iut-
terng crowd. some Of them we regret to state with
very wine blblng sparkle In their eyes. A keen
observer OF this throng was Judge Bowling, and
among the gayly dressed lhrong he with his
wandering eye fixed an old acquaintance,
Mary Ann Taylor, professional pickpocKet.
in the act OF diving INTO an elderly lady's
pocket TINS outrage upon the people was speedily
stayed by the active action OF Judge Downing. VINO
took steps IN reference thereto detailed IN the fol-
lowing report
THE PECULIAR DANGERS OF BROADWAY.
Mary Ann Taylor who has for years been before
the courts again aud again, for picking pockets,
was charged with following this profession OF hers
on Monday afternoon In Broadway. Mr.. Howe de-
Tended the prisoner.
Judge Dowling somewhat astonished the auditory
having taken the stand SAID that on Monday evening
ABOUT halfpast four O'Clock ne was at the
Wa Great CrowS OF a1a pecpe snd ne eo
ticed the, defendant walking beside o very
elderly lady, and the defendant had her hand
dress; he spoke TO the lady and asked her had
lost anything; she told HIM she had lost her specta
had In her hand She took from her muir her pocket
book, which sne said was hers, aud which no party
present made any calm for. lie then handed ner
over 70 the custody OF police officer.
Crossexamlned by Mr.. Howe:-
q. What Is your occupation? A. am Police JUS
tice OF the Second district, Sir.
q. You have another occupation, believe. You
have the honor OF being Police Justice In anOtner
court, by Inc election OF the people, believe, ana
very handsome election 1t Was2 A. Yes, am Police
Justice OF the First District Court Also
z. Was DOT broadway very much crowded on this
occasionf A. Yes, az much crowded as have seen
1t at any time, believe.
Q. Could anybody have intervened between the
defendant and the elderly lady A. NO sir; the de-
fendant was walking very close to her pointed QUO
nose. ana therefore those could not be stolen
the defendants hands pass into the ady's pocket.
In reply 10 other questions Judge Downing sad
1t was bis knowledge or the character oil the woman
tnat caused HIM to have his attention dlrected to
her; ne certainly should not otherwise have dis
covered the theft.
Mr. How said that It must be matter or grat1ca-
tion 10 all VINO had heard the evidence tnat 1t mad
been given so kindly and 30 fairly. 1t an ex-
ample worthy of imitation by some OF The police
officers. He MR. Howe would not far stnitiry
himself as to claim innocence where there was SO
GEAR proof OF guilt me Court would pardon nim
constitution OF the court in TINS case.
Inc people OF this judiclal, district had naa
Inc good % fortune, IN which Judge Bixoy
court the gentleman who had just given evidence.
There was law which STATED that prisoner could
hoped that no contingency OF that KIND would hap
pen, and he was GLAD to see that Judge Downing was
not SICK Upon tnat statement OF facts he dld not
wish TO make any further comments than simply
that OF asking whether conviction would be maze
III this case.
Judge Bixby told Mr.. Howe thar he should have
all the advantage OF his objection. The Court be-
lieved the prisoner to be guilty, and sue would be
sent 10 the Penitenllary for six months.