The New York herald., 1870-03-13
COURT or SPECIAL SESSIONS.

Before Judges Hogan, McQuade and Scott
The calender contained the Of thirty de-
fendants, and included every description Of crime
that this court could deal with.
LITTLE LBGAL SCENE.
John Jobson, BOY, was charged with. stealing
two pieces OF brass the property or the Manhattan
Brass Company. Mr. Spencer and air. Mechan up
pcared for the defendant
Mr.. Spencer said that he knew the boy, and also
hs parents; he believed that the LAD had not taken
this property, and ne would plead not guilty. He
was a boy OF good character, he believed:
he did not know OF his own knowledge that the brass
had been stolen: he had been told 50 BY some OF the
men ~ the works He then proceeded TO state that
the brass belonged to him.
Mr. Spencer iHtcrposed and said that the brass be-
iongod 10 the @snhsttan Brass COMPANY y was 90
allow him to look at the complaint. (The complaint
was handed to him, aud he read the clause stating
that tho brass was the property OF the company
That company was an Incorporation, and tho pa
pears were on fle IN the Supreme Court aud the
proof Of Its incorporation must be obtained from
Tnc Court told Mr.. Spencer tha. it would take
the evidence OF the Witness irrespective or the CON-
paint
Mr. spencer-Now this Court is reorganized 1t
would be quite as well TO have this tang settled.
outside the complaint than 1t has to Try case OF
murder. | am very much surprised that the As
t you 70; an am Sure sure The District Attorney W. would
tell him to do 80. You can only nave jurisdiction
over this case by virtue OF this complaint and the
case going before the examining magistrate before
1t comes helo Now, 1t will be absolutely necessary
for tnfs point to be raised and settled, and say SO
with the greatest possible respect Tor the court and
the Justices on the bench, who are Respectable and
and respected.
Judge Hogan ITO wltuess)-was this property in
your carer
WitDess-It was.
Mr.. Spencer-We have pleaded NOS guilty to steal
Ing certain property the property of the Manhattan
Brass Company. organized and formed in the State
of,Eew YORK. That plea has bes1 given In good
Judge Hogan-Is the counsel aware that the Court
has decided on his motion, and uoeg the counsel
wish 10 ask the witness any questionsf
Mr.. Spcncer-NO sir. say, adyisedIy, that will
responsibility OF a conviction. We plead not gully
TO o complaint and then, when 1t Is found that
won't co. we are asked to answer the charge or
stealing from somebody else. Ii John Brown
Is net the right complainant, then john smith Is
substituted and thus the complaint before the
say IL with respect, but on reflection that such
course OF procedure Is neither based on law nor
reason, nor In sense. II this t5 to De persevered
In It would be subversion Of every law known In
any court,
Judge Hogan-The Court DEGREES that 1t viii nei-
thor acquit nor 1nd guilty upon thing In the pa-
peiS, putupon the evidence given by the witnesses.
Witness then resumed the evidence, In tue course
OF which he named the stockholders OF the company
and that It was Incorporated.
Mr.. Spencer-Which incorporation Is upon the 1o
In the Supreme Courtf
Witness-Yes
Mr.. Spencsr-Then take exceptions to his giving
evidence as TO this being his property.
another man, but Mr. Spencer took no further part
In the case.
The Court suspended judgment on ,Ie defendant
and he was discharged.