Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-03
NEW YORK.
Startling Arguments in the Stokes

Startling Arguments in the Stokes
Case.
NEW YORK, March Judge Cardoza
this morning decided the issue raised in
Stokes case, as to the constitution of the
grand jury which indicted him for the MUIR
der of Fisk to be one of law, and without
! permitting the question to 60 to the jury,
ordered a verdict to be entered for the peo-
pie and against Stokes. If it was decided
/ that the grand jury was Illegally organized,
! be says serious consequences might ensue
/ as respects a large number Of criminals al
/ ready under indictment. He would grant,
! however, a stay Of proceedings against
! Stokes for twenty days, to enable his cOun-
/ sci to bring the matter before the appellate
/ tribunal. Stokes counsel excepted to all
the findings of the court.
! LATER.-When the Stokes case opened
this morning, McKeon of the counsel for
Stokes, referring to the demonstrations
of the spectators yesterday when be
| (McKeOn) announced his belief in Stokes
innocence, said similar scene had occurred
where the Erie power was on trial in the
person Of Fisk at the Yorkville Police Court.
He had reason to believe that now as then
the courtroom was packed with the retain
ers OF that power. He asked the court to
protect counsel against them.
Judge CardoZo said he thought he had
heretofore taken the right course in the
matter.
Mr.. Graham said that he was informed
that there was hired gang of twenty-five
men employed to watch these proceedings;
that they (the counsel) had the name OF a
man on Eighth avenue who was employed
o control these men. In this matter when
first they went before the cOrOner's jury and
were consulting on the preliminary points
there was scarcely any one in the room, and
while they were interested in that CONVEX
sation he had not paid any attention to the
audience, but on looking up he had seen
such a gang of cutthrOats that he sent at
once to the police office for platoon Of
police who had been furnished to protect
them in the court room. He supposed that
in the effort to dispose Of Stokes these men
would stand at nothing and Stokes counsel
might receive shot Ill the back intended
for Stokes. These men were quite capable
of shooting Stokes, if counsel had been
logged in the streets. There had been
evesdrOppino on their consultations. They
had had to 60 into corners to consult in
quiet. He seconded the request Of his as
s0ciate Mr.. Mexican.
The Judge said that he thought every
thing had been done. In the prosecution
of Stokes he would take any course to pro-
tect the counsel. No enc who knew John
Graham would suspect him of any cow
ardice on account of his personal safety.
Mr.. McKeon said be had always lived
among thieves, robbers and assassins. He
had no fear at all Of what might happen to
him in the presence of the court. He did,
however, fear what might happen to the
counsel outside of the courthouse. He
knew that DOrman B. EaliOn was attempt
ed TO be RssasSinated. If necessary to re-
move any one Of them, the same means
would be employed. He would ask the |
court to direct the sheriff to place half a |
dozen men among the audience to control
them.
Judge Cardoza after consulting with the
Sheriff said that the Sheriff told him he
had already dozen Of men among them.
TunneIIinE Broadway.
At meeting of the citizens of the Reform |
Committee tonight a resolution was passed |
endorsing the Under Ground Central Rail-
road as means Of rapid transit IN the city |
at an expense of about $2O,OOO,OOO.
st. Patrick's Day.
The representatives of the Irish Societies |
last night have formally decided to cele- |
brate St. Patrick's Day by a parade on
Monday, March, 10. The 69th Irish Regi- !
ment will accompany the procession. The |
Police Commissioners have offered an es- |
cort. Mayor Hail has consented to review |
the procession from the City Hall.