The New York herald., 1870-08-02

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EmpanellIns Of tho Grand Jury IN the Qeu-
eral Sessions-Inspcrtant Charge OF Cisy
Judge Cunning y. Bedford, Jr.
The August term Of the General Sessions was
opened yesterday morning. Although Judge Red
ford has been back from hts brief European tour
nearly week. and has received the congratulations
Of number Of our citizens upon his safe return,
yet his appearance on be bench yesterday 70 enter
upon the discharge OF mis- oical duties was the oc-
casion of renewed Manifestations OF cordial greet
Ing on the part OF lead Ing members Of the bar and
prominent citizens, who crowded the courtroom.
Judge Bedford received the congratulations Of the
gentlemen who sought to address him personally with
his usual affabty, but when the hour approached
TO commence the discharge Of his otlcia functions
upon the bench he directed the business OF the
day to be commenced. The Number Of prisoners
now awaiting trial In the Tombs is very large and
the namber is daily increasing; but the Court is de-
termined 10 DO all In It's power, assisted by the pros
ecuting officers, to give accused parties speedy
trial. and u Is needless TO add that wherever ncorr
gfbe and Old Offenders are convicted they VIII be
punished with the utmost severity HIS Honor init.
mated that II 1t were necessary he would sit the
whole OF the month"; In order TO dispose OF the crmi.
nal business OF the county; but 1t Is hoped and be-
uevcd ihat this Will not be necessary for the District
Attorney and his assistants have adjusted the ma
chinery or the ONCE as to compress the business of
the month into few days.
The first business In order was the empaueuna
OF the Grand Jury, which was effected without de-
lay. Mr.. William Habrshaw was selected to act a.
foreman. After the grand jurors were sworn City
Judge Bedford delivered the following important
aud Interesting charge which was listened to with
profound attention.
JUDGE BEDroRD's CHARGE TO THE GRAND JURY.
Mr.. FOREMAN AND GENTLEMEN OF THE GRAND
JUay--lt s made my duty according 10 law 10 tIreet
your attention especially 10 all offences against the
excise and usury laws the laws passed 10 preserve
the purity OF elecOns the laws forbddinp lotteries
and the taking OF Illegal tees by public officers, and
the law passed In 1850 TO prevent frauds n the sale
OF tickets upon steamboats, and other vessels. I
must also inform you that II IL msdemeanor for
any grand Juror or ocer or the court 10 disclose tue
lact of an indictment having been found for felony
against any person not In actual confinement, until
such person shall be arrested. And now, gentlemen
OF tDe Jury cannot take leave OF you without re-
minding you OF the great responsibility devolving
upon you. You stand between the state ana the
accused sworn 10 do justice TO botn, ana that
| no injustice be done TO either Remember. without
your action no criminal high or low, be brought
10 trial and 90 Judgment. In the language
OF another; 10 you 10 committed the preser.
vatton OF tue peace OF tue county. the Care OF
ment all violence, outrage. indecency aud terror
everything that may occasion danger, disturbance
| or disiay 10 the citizens. You are watchmen sta
! toned by The laws 10 survey the conduct OF your
| iellow-cltlzens, and 10 inquire wnen and by whom
nnDC pup snS aIoy a has peen violated, or 'ne eonssu
ton. foi think the time mas come when every one
| OF you, gentlemen, sworn a. grand jurors should
fully realize the condition OF things In tbs city.
The lawlesS class are becoming daily more daring
| and reckless. They must be checked Ia their
MAD career. The protection OF society and the fu.
lure welfare OF tho metropolis depend Ia great mes-
sure up0n the prompt award OF punishment for
crime; and the people look TO the authorities Tor
| protection. Let them not look In vain. Let every
Official in these trying times prove himself worthy
q the peoples confidence. But a day or two ago
the iaw-abidnR citizens or this city were appalled,
| by the intelligence OF murder most cruel IN Its
nature ana most fou In its character the very con-
temptation OF when makes the heart grow sick, aud
each OF US Is irresistlby prompted to ask,
1 "Can crime so fearful aud atrocious be
| perpetrated In tho very midst OF q Christian
more than a million Of souls, ana where ths re.
lgion OF heaven Is preached and It's holy mandates
observedr' An the Startling painful fact Is too
| localities OF this city respected and
respectable old gentleman. apparently without an
honor OF his acquaintance, In his own private dwell.
ing retrcs 10 rest seeking repose from the labors OF
fearful murder the deceased with HIS Sons, aud
az midnight they parted. few short hours late
his 'ho5 own was blood c0fpss aSss yang IN, nSP poG
aerers have succeeded in evading Justice
| their detection be within the power oil huinaI
agency they VIII be arrested; for the police system
! am happy TO say, is now under the guidance au'
direction Of a most worthy citizen, energetic ant
fearless Official, superintendent John Jourdan, wht
Will, know, see TO 10 that every effort be put forti
to arrest and punish the cowardly perpetrators o
this most wicked deed, and that every nerve Ds
strained until the majesty or the law In yinoloated
And when the guilty ones are arrested and the evi
dence LAID before you tho District Attorney aud hi
able assistants VIII do all In their power To aid you
In arriving At righteous concluscni and when The
nnal step-the rfal-takes place, if II lie before M
learned associate, the Recorder, know he viii dc
his duty Should 1t fall TO my lot trust viii ds
| mine. Gentlemen, you may now retire and onteI
! upon your duties
Tho Inquest be Resumed.