The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-10-18
UNITED STATES CIRCUIT cauar-canIAAl TERM.

a Before Judge Benedict $500 ..n.,-.
At the opening OF the court yesterday morning
there In attendance the largest representation OF
counsel and gathering OF spectators that has been
seen within the United States Circuit Court room
fSs long time past not indeed since the trial o.
owing to tho opening OF the criminal term and to
some misunderstanding on the part OF the members
days fixed for trial. The first proceeding IN order
was the calling OF the panel OF petit jurors but be-
Of coas @ no. c
would be taken up By him. that he would occupy the
bench for three weeks for the trial OF CRIMINAL cases
only, and that on the 0th proximo Judge Woodruff
weuld SIT for the trial Of civil causes.
A Novel Excuse for Escaping Jury Service.
There was long array OF jurors to be excused
all sorts Of reasons being urged Judge Benedict
very kindly listened to all, and In most cases &C
ccpted the excuses offered In one appeal made to
clerk In A. 7. Stewards establishment, and that
bis absence from his employers business even
In the discharge q MS 6ounasn duties to Sns
or TWO would certainly be the cause OF his
dismissal from his employment Judge BENEDICT
that any respectable merchant In the city would
dismiss an empOye for acting as juror--a duty GO
inror II he mad no better excuse than the dread Of
Dismissal must answer to his name when called
The Juror turned away, with countenance as ex-
pressve OF disappointment and trouble as II he
had already received his papers from A. T. Stewart
MotionS to Quash Indictments.
Judge Benedict, on taking up the criminal calen-
dar announced that in cases Of motions to quash In
dictments such motions must be made day before
that fixed for the trial OF the particular in which
the indictment was sought to be quashed.
The calling OF the calendar was then proceeded
with and days fixed for the trial OF cases, which
cupied considerable time. There are no heavy or
important cases pending, and the PROBABILITY Is that
Judge Benedict VIII be able to complete business
OF the term within the time allowed to him therefor
The Calendar. .at tse5 i,
Sixty-1ve cases were called, the most important
OF which was that OF J. Woodruff Lewis, who was
brought from Philadelphia some time ago under
bench warrant. He Ia indicted for defrauding
soldiers who HAD put their bounty claims into his
hands for collection. His case is set down for We'd
nesday, the 10Th, and Is looked forward to with
likely to show what punishment is to be dealt out to
men found guilty oil this offence, which has been
made Q subject for discussion In the public press.
Societies have been organized for the purpose OF
raising funds for the successful prosecution or those
fraudulent claim agents. and the securing OF the
rights Of those men who have been de1rauded by
them. The members OF those societies have been
locking forward to the result of sucn trial that
sented In the United States Circuit Court on the day
OF his trial. at f0oI Nr34Na
The Case Of Colonel Ryan. ,h
The case OF Colonel Ryan, OF Cuban notOriety. who
is indicted for having resisted United States Mar
shall and escaping from his custody. was called.
There was quite little sensation In the court to see
the famous fllbuster, who has figured SO much here
In New York In connection with the Cuban struggle
on the island represented so allegorically and 30
much In TACT by the "L0ne Starr Mi. Stewart, the
Co0nel's counsel and bondsman stated to the Court
that ne wished to have the case go on as soon as
possible, but that in the absence OF Mr.. Samuel c.
Courtney, his associate he was not then ready to 90
to trial. s-t + n f-s.4, sl
The Colonel upon whom the lone eye OF Cuba is
looking sat In the court room Tor some hours, and
was the cynosure OF all eyes. HIS slouched hat he
held III his hand to show OF its peculiar reasonable
or devil-mayc and his conspiri-
torial sacrencial mantle was allowed to fall In
half military and half foppsh manner over his
manly shoulders He was quite at home under the
'trying ordeal and were he at the moment only
under the fire or spanish gun5-f0r which he does
not care q contlnental-he could scarcely have
shown more sang Ja'O,d than he did under the bat
terry OF curious eyes that raked him fore ana aft
he sat awaiting whatever fate the order OF the Court
might have had In store for HIM.
The Coionei's trial was eventually fixed for Thurs
day rext. The court shortly after adjourned.