The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-02
COURT OF GENERAL SESSIONS.
Tho Obscene Photograph Oase-Disagrcc-
ment OF the Jury. "

ment OF the Jury. "
Before Recorder Hackett.
The whole OF yesterday was spent in finishing
the trial commenced OH Friday last OF an fndict-
ment against John Mecker. printseer in Nassau
street, for selling obscene photographs. The main
witness for the prosecution was Mr.. Anthony Com
stock, who upon Information received from
young man named Plckford, formerly q clerk in thc
defendant g employ, procured the aid OF detectives
and seized largo quantity Of "fancy" pictures,
some OF which were very obscene.
The first witness for the defence was the accused
himself, who swore that he had purchased about
two thousand obscene negatives, with
FIVE HUNDRED CHRONIC NEGATIVES,
fr ON man named Law, who was going out OF tho
business, in 1893. He caused to be printed about
five hundred pictures from the fancy negatives
three months after he bought them, but becoming
did not either sell or have printed singie since
that time, viz. $685. The negatives, for the last
rss IL S r. as hen e
by Comstock and the detectives.
THE "FANCY" PICTURES
were not obscene, some Of them being copies Of
Hogarth's works ana other celebrated models.
!, At this stage number Of cngravings, some Of
them exceedingly well executed, were exhibited
'Greek slave" "whits Captive" and number Of
evidence to show that the prisoner was reputable
dealer, and had on SAL copyrighted prints from
famous models which wore Just as obscene In fact
considered in quite another light
MR. s MoS s ADMIRABLE PICTURES
Mr.. Fellows-You've heard Of Byron, no doubt;
yet there are passages in his dDon Juan'' YOU
probably wouldn't like to send to your wife and
witness-Yes, air, and there are passages in the
Bible, too that wouldn't read to my wife and
daughter. nf
The question was put on the hypothesis OF the
witness having wife and daughter. He stated he
HAD WIPE AND A LITTLE ROY.
Some or the pictures seized no would be willing to
display to them without conjunction as they were
not obscene in his judgment, bat merely clancy"
Several other witnesses testified-one q boy IN
the employ OF the accused, who said Meeker gave
him instructions not to sell any OF the obscene
negatives or Impressions II customers inquired for
such.
The case against the accused was founded upon
the AFFIDAVIT of one Edward 8. Pickford, q dis
was psf on ths stand, and with . name air pro-
ceedcd to give hts testimony. He said he had
been clerk to Mr. Meeker for seven years; he was
his respeetability he went b. an aas-E. q. Jonesi
he had entire charge OF the '0bscene DEPARTING {"
Of Meeker's business; he had sold pictures by
direction Of Meeker to various dealers, some OF
whom are now
at Sing Sing; had sold numbe OF pictures to
thousands OF people from the country and in the
city, among others to Mr.. Burke, 1.-THE American
News Company.
Several witnesses swore they had
PURCHASED PICTURES FROM PICKF0Rp,
nns P,ckord always made ats, It conditional that
selling them on his own account. PickfoId in
formed the complainant tConstockt- OF Meeker q
obscene business out OF revenge-or, to use bis own
words, to MUE
'sdET SQUARE ON MEEKEp,
VINO aa treasea nm sd mcan ~, number OF W.T.
and honesty Of the defendant, and the prosecution
offered no rebutting testimony upon that point.
recess OF half an hour was taken.
After counsel TOR the dciondant addressed the
jury. Assistant District Attorney Fellows made an
eloquent and thrilling appeal for the conviction OF
results OF the extensive circulation OF obscene liter
atule and immoral photographs such az the de.
PENDANT dealt In, and said that the morals OF the
young ladies and gentlemen in the. seminares OF
the count were being undermined and corrupted
As the hour was late the Recorder did not do
liver long charge. He simply informed the jury
that, In order to conyct the accused, the evidence
doubt that on tho 18th OF March he had In his pos
session astereoscopic picture obscene in its omar
acter, with intent to sell the same
The jury retired Mt q few inmates before I've
O'Clock, and at six ocs0ck were called into court
The foremi said that they were ten to two and 1t
II was supposed that the foreman meant there were
ten for conviction and two Tor acqmttal Fills Honor
days he dS not feel
He would keep them together all nj lht but II they
agi eed upon verdict BY ton O'Clock he would re-
turn and receive Ii.
Larceny I'm tho Adams Express Once.
Patrick wogan was charged with stealing on the
9Th Of April package Of goods from tn Adams Exc
press ONCE containing silks and cashmeres, valued
at e135 81, the property OF Marie h Co, No. "a
Walker street. There was another complaint OF
similar nature . against the accused. ne pleaded
guilty to the indictment Tor grand larceny and was
sent 70 the state Prison nor four years and SIX
months
The Grand Jury 60 be Empa nclled To-
Day.
The Grand Jury summoned for the July term were
discharged till this Tuesday morning, when they
Wal 20 sworn In and briefly charged by the Re-