The New York herald., 1871-12-07
PRIZE FIGHTERS IN COURT.
Edwards and Collins Brought Up on Habeai.
Corpus and Discharged from Custody.
Argument Of Counsel and Judge
0a Ingraham's Decision. 1l5g1

There was rejoicing yesterday among the friends a.
the two noted pugllists, Billy Edwards and Tim Col.
Inns over their release from the rather inhospirah
island where they had been vegetating for some
months past by sentence OF Judge Bowling, In the
Special Sessions, who sent them up there imme-
dla,ey after their little fistcu exhibition on Long
Island It will be recollected that the two gladiar
tors sentenced to the island for twelve months
each and to apay fine Of $1,000.
Their counsel, Mr.. W. r. Howe, has been unceas-
ing In his EFFORTS to secure their release and argued
In an appeal by certiorar! that there was no proof
that
sE4 ff TIE PRIZE FIGHT f a8g
in which Collins and Edwards are alleged to have
appeared as principals mad Deen set on foot or
arranged in this city or county; the only proof 70
that effect being that other persons were driven In
carriage from New York TO the place where tho
prize gnt took place. that, therefore, there was no
Jurisdiction in the County City Court. and, Sec
ond that one Judge could not, sitting alone conYict
at the Court Of Special Sessions.
Judges Ingraham and Barnard sitting IN General
fern OF the supreme Court having announces
their readiness to listen to argument of counsel In
criminal cases. District Attorney Sullivan rose and
seg 70 proceed Wh the q
mo Court q Special Sessions before Judge Downss
Mr. Howe, Counsel for the mutual friends, 90
late hostile combatants, having with his usual
pOnderouS SanQftOfd, got upon his legs, prOCeeded
to address the Court In support or the points raised
by him on behalf OF his clients, ana according 10
which, as he contended they were illegally held In
custody He first called the attention Of the Court to
the various statutes organizing the Special Sessions
at which they had been convicted celebrating upon
the jurisdiction OF that Court In criminal cases. Mr.
Howe cOntended that all the evidence developed
against his clients to prove that any offence was
committed by them was that OF Q witness who
convicted to have been committed In Queens
county, L. l.. which made 1t clearly apparent that
the Court OF Special Sessions Of the city county
OF New York had no jurisdiction to try or convict
them AMI upon this state OF facts he called for re-
versal OF the decision OF that Court. sDN"
Assistant District Attorney sullivan c0ntended
tna the fight was set on foot here, and claimed That
the Court or Special Sc sions had full power to act
as 1t did, and that Collins and Edwards should
be compelled TO serve out their one years sentence
and also pay the nne OF 81, 900 imposed upon them
by the Court OF Special Sessions. hfA q
ham proceeded to deliver MS opinion. l7li1
The COURT held that Mr.. Howe's point was wen
TAKEN and that the conviction was Illegal and that
the prisoners should not have been held day on
such convection. 1t was, therefore, unanimously
reversed.
Mr.. HOWE tnen handed up his writ Of habeas corr
pus, and asked that Edwards and Collins be imme-
diately discharged from custody. M kfi1oi
This motion was also granted, and the
PRIZE FIGHTERS LEFT THE COURT ROOM fRuA
MEN,
They Rrasped their counsel by the hand and
thanked HIN for his diligence and success, and also
after being congratulated by their numerous friends
taken in their benalf. they both vow never again
to enter the pr1ze ring. agH1 asAeg
When the devil sick the devil saint would bs; y
When the devil well the devil . saint was be.