The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-04-21
COURT or SPECIAL SESSIONS.

Commeuc cmenI Of New Era in the History
az the Conrt-An Alleged London Pickpockct
in n Fix-An Electric Witnoss-An African
Melee in Laurens Street Lust sunday-A
case for the Superintendent of PoIice-The
Exercise Of the Increased Power Conn
mcnced-An Affecting Scene.
Before Judge Bowling.
The Court OF Special Sessions entered upon new
phase OF existence yesterday. After the court had
been formally opened the clerk was instructed TO
make the following announcement
In relation to the punishment Of Offenders tried
IN The Court OF Special Sessions OF the peace IN and
for tie city and county OF New York, passed April O.
Is5I-th ee-hfIns being present-tne people OF the
city and county OF New YORK, represented III the
sEcTIoN i. In ali convictions for msdemeanors
tried the Court Of Special sessions OF the peace
In and for the city ana county OF New York the said
Court shall have power 10 impose the same punish
Inent as Is authorized by law TO be inflicted in liz Q
tried IN the Court OF General Sessions IN said
city ana county.
SEC. .. Hereafter, II either Of the justices now
designated by law to hold the Court or Special Ses-
sOns shall be unable TO act 10y reason OF sickness or
other disability, shall be absent from the city, 1t
snail be the duty OF the Mayor OF the city oil New
York to designate either the Recorder or CITY Judge
or SAID city and county 10 act IN the place or said
justice during the continuance OF such disability.
The principal feature in the new law, and that
witch Is considered most important, IL the permits
sion 10
IMPOSE PENALTY or $3.50
IN aggravated cases. for IN many cases 1t viii insure
lengthy and severe punishment, as the defendant
can be held in prison, IL the Court DEGREES, until
the fine Is PAID. The other point Is the extension OF
punishment rom six to twelve months for brutal
assaults and the worst cases of larceny. Judge
bowling soon found an occasion for exercising the
Increased power placed in his hands, as shown in
the following report. The seal OF record has been
supplied by the secretary OF State.
BULLty) WITNESS.
The first case called was that OF The People vs..
Thomas j. Williams Thomas had the misfortune
the other day to be ont walking when he heard u
| woman say she had been robbed; that her pocket
book had been stolen and certain woman In front
OF her mad stolen It. lie under ook TO consult the
onicer whom the woman had called and suggested
attempt to obtain possession the pocketbook again.
| He walked up to ner and put his hand under her
shawl and tried to get away from her what he said
ne considered the property OF the other woman.
He didn't succeed In recovering the pocKetbook,
| ana the woman on whom he made the attempt dc.
MED acknowledge OF the AFFAIR and gave him into
! custody on charge OF attempting to pick her
| pocket. He was to be detained a witness In the
! nrst case but wished to decline the honor as he
didn't wish 10 ne seen In the company OF police
man. and hence become notorious The second
woman, however, was so positive tnat he tried TO
| In the court yesterday the question OF the miss
ing poke was lost in this peculiar Individual.
\
80 rapid was his How Of language. lie began by dis
! claiming any knowledge OF either OF the parties,
| and the accusation that ne was
| A LONDON PiCxPooKEr
he treated as being too absurd TO entertain for an
instant .'Wnere were you born ~ asked the Judge.
'Jn North Carolina; but Was taken away to Eng
| land when was very young. IL Is sixteen years
lett this country, but oh Of course am not
l a ctlZen. have been n currler In London where
have resided Tor years In tho leather district and
have only returned here few months ago. 1--we
! at 50 vesey street."
| he assured tie Judge ne knew him when he was
sergeant OF police. but that appeared too hn, tor
''Did you not try 70 steal this lady's pocketbookyp
| asked the court.
| .Ah we'll, really that's too bad; this 'ere woman
1 was long way ahead OF me, anu runs after her
ana tried TO bring the money back. by Jove, what
| am | taken for ~
lyon seem to tell straight story, but II you are
ever brought here again your rapid speech will not
| save yOu. You can gO,r said his Honor.
| AFRICANS ON A SUNDAY SPREE.
Henry Jones, John Brown and Andrew Douglas.
| three s.Gemmen from Afr1ca,n were charged by
| LOUIS Hcnken with breaking his Jaw bone, on Sun.
/ day evening last the three defendants have been
| sunday morning habttuss Of beer saloon No. ~
| raurens street, for many months past Last Sun.
| ay they congregated there ana drank liquor until
4 Twelve O'Clock IN the morning. ana again at SIX
| O'Clock IN the evening After they had taken in
| nun cargoesv they became a little troublesome
! and IL appears wanted to fight The keeper OF the
saloon. who looked o. though he mad been picked In
. lager, testified that tney came TO his place "as