The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-31
UNITED STATES COMMISSIONERS COURT.

Charge OF Dealing I'm Obscene Literature.
Before Commissioner Osborn.
The United States vs.. E. Nj. Grandon.-The further
examination OF the defendant, who has hitherto
carried on business at No. Al Liberty street, was
resumed yesterday. He is charged with sending a
ONCE once. anu 00''ene pu'N0a''0n through 'ns i0s'
Mr. Ned Price, for defendant, said he did not
this case.
the defendant then put IN a sworn affidavit,
Street Jail, and deprived Of his liberty because he
was unable to lind bail IN $4,000. He believed he
had good defence on the merits, and II the bail
were reduced to 81 900 he expected ne could get it,
He could not tell what motive induced the prose-
cut0r to make this charge. whether it was spite,
malice or revenge, but the offence was procured
by the connivance or suggestion OF another person.
and In misdemeanor that made such person q
to sentence the prisoner fron this time until the
period OF his trial by holding him in 5000 ball.
which he could not get He hoped the bail would
General Davies opposed the reduction OF the
bail. The defendant and men like him were not
be demanded OF them. He did not think any fur
ther reduction OF the bail should be made. 1t had
oeen already reduced from 10000 to 81, CO.,
Court, where party had been charged with selling
obscene literature, had bail to the amount of even
$1,000 ever been exacted. II his Honor doubted
this statement he could ascertain the truth OF it
by sending over to the District Attorneys Office
The Commissioner had already decided that in
these cases one case should govern another
and he COUNSEL might state now that when the
marshals went into and searched the defendants
premises no goods OF an immoral character were
found.
The Commissioner observed that in considering
this case, his mind was Influenced by the fact that
the more disgraceiui and flagitiOus crime the
more likely would q person be to nee away from
the place he had committed 1t, and he candidly adj
mttted that though rne hne imposed for the crime
was only $500, yet bail OF $500 would not in his
S ss 81 the os ct
law OF the land but also against the moral law. He
must decline to reduce the pa
The defendant then got up, and made statement
to the effect That on Monday morning last friend
met and told him that warrant was out Tor his
% Sna not ns S sVSa it, rv s% engaged ia
this warrant; must meet it and defend myself
He (deiendant went to his Office ON Monday
morning after his friend told him the officers had
warrant Tor his arrest. He was engaged in selling
He had a family to support, and it was necessary
for him to give his personal attendance to his
been broken in any matter of business to which he
had pledged it, and he could bring forw ard re-
spectacle persons to prove that And now, while
which he had been subjected would go to the ex-
tent Of punishlug him by greater length OF I'm
prisonment than would be inflicted upon him If
The Commssoncr- had letter from sup
posed respectable party In regard to you. Why
did not that party come forward and testify In
the deIendant-I suppose the party did not ike
graceful nature was brought against me.
The comm lssloner-You had an opportunity of
meeting this charge. You could have gone on the
stand and testified as to your legitimate business,
but you have not done 80. The case IL now closed
and cannot hear any more about it, especially
every 0ppOl tunity has been Afforded you enter
ing into full explanation Of the whole transac-
ton.
The defendant--I was not aware that could be
examined on my own behalf. lett the matter en-
tirey In the hands OF my counsel, not being &C
quanted with the technicalties OF this Court.
Defendant was then held to await the action Of
the Grand Jury, and removed to prison In custody
OF marshal
Charge Against II Sea Captain.
The United States VS.. John T. Arnett.-The de-
fendant-as already stated In the HERALD-is cap
tain Of the ship John j. Byrnes, and he Is charged
with having, on recent voyage from Galveston
and the West Indies, III treated several men OF his
crew, badly fed and ovcrworked them, and put
them in il0ns SO that they could not go ashore at
Matanzas and inform the Consul In respect to the
treatment they had received. Yesterday the Com
missioner took the captains statement, and also
heard statements from the crew. There was q
good deal OF contradiction on the point as to
whether the crew had expressed to the captain
their desire to see the Consul and make their COM
plant to him. The case having closed the Commits
sioner said he would render his decision to-day.