New-York tribune., 1873-12-23

Sbert's Office are called together daily to receive
the instructions which Dogberry issued some
centuries ago in Messna You shall cOmpre-
"bend all vagrom men you shall bid any man
" stand in the Princes name ; II he VIII not
90 st,rd then take no note of him, but let him
?" 90. and presently call the rest OF the watch
"together, and thank God you are nd OF
"knayc."
We do.noi know whether the Sherif's depu
ties INDUCED in this devout action OF grace
after the escape of Sharkey, but it is strictly
within the line of the SicilIan officials instruc
tions to have a thanksgiving over the evasion
of Genet. For, says DOgberry, the most
"peaceable way for you, If you do take
"thef. is to let him show himself what he is
"and steal out of your company" Mr..
Genet. after infinite labor and pains, was
taken and accused of something so much
like thievine that we need not pause to show
the difference. He was tried by an impartial
jury and found guilty. Yesterday he was to
have been brought up for sentence, but Sheriff
Brennan, who was responsible for his appear
apce. announced that he had escaped from the
custody of the Deputy Sheriff. Escape is
word which usually implies some exercise of
force. or cunning, or audacity, so that people
looked with some curiosity for the explana-
ton of the means by which Harry Genet
had burst through the net OF the law
inst as he was abOnt to be landed. But to
the general stupefaction of the public it soon
became known that he was literally turned
loose. He had been permitted by Judge
Daniels to remain at home to transact some
d., nf haNa
more business than other people and are apt
TO allow il 10 accumulate while they are pre-
pairing for the penitentiary. Two Dep
uty Sherffs we're detailed to take
care of the distressed Prince and he
seems instantly to have established the most
cordial relations with both OF them. Indeed
he seems on alarmingly intimate terms with
the whole administration of justice. For when
Mr. District-AttOrney Phelps, feeling little
anxious about this rowing criminal, wrote a
letter to Mr.. Brennan warning him to be
especially careful about him, the matter was
at once communicated to Genet and the de-
h6nair convict. thinking it an excellent joke,
pocketed the letter, and showed it to MIR. George
Bliss the same day. Being on these easy terms
with the ministers of justice, it will not be
surprising to learn that Mr. Genet was subject
to only nominal imprisonment, from the time
of his conviction to his escape. On Saturday
night his good-natured friends let him pass
the night unmolested in the bosom OF his
family. and regarded it as a matter OF course
that he would return to them in the morning
Their confidence was justified by the event
and as a consequence it knew no bounds on
e h., nnt
home and the other one passed the early part
of the night talking and smoking" with Mr..
Genet When the latter proposed once more
to retire TO his own sleeping-room,
Mr.. Deputy Shields was too much Of
a gentleman to object, and disposed
himself for comfortable nap. He woke in
the morning and inquired casually for his
prisoner, aud when he found he Was gone he
seemed greatly distressed, and, if We may
believe the reporters, shed tears. 1t was his
first hard lesson of the worlds unkiDdness
and depravity. He had been a Deputy Sheriff
for many years. but had thus far been brought
into contact only with idylic types of
character, gentle and saint-like beings who
would rather be sinned against than sin, and
who would as soon go to Jail as go to church.
It never entered his mind that Harry Genet
was not that kind of person, and that he
might possibly prefer not to go to the peni-
tentiary if he were allowed his choice
We are assured upon excellent authority
that this unfortunate officer is one of the best
men Oh the force, in intelligence and integrity
standing among the first. This is claiming
too much for him. No intelligent man could
have given convict his freedom for two sue
ccssive nights If he were at the same time
honest. When rich criminal is prac-
tically released from custody by
officer whose swcrn duty is to guard
him. the inevitable presumption is against
the integrity OF the officer. But the story
told by Deputy Shields is so inane and so
candid that it may possibly be true; though
if this is accepted his reputation for intelli-
gence il gone, and Sheriff Brennan de-
serves severe blame for intrusting "a con-
vcted prisoner to a man so susceptible
and so unsuspecting. The entire performance
reflects serious discredit upon the Sheriffrs
office. Taken i'll connection with the escape
of Sharkey. it exhibits great laxity of dis
ciplne. But considered in relation to the
extraordinary privileges granted to Tweed
after his sentence, it shows the symptoms of
d disease still more grave-an unsound moral
standard in the Sheriif's entire office. Tweed
and Genet were not, in the eyes of Mr.. Brennan
or his subOrdinates, the thieves and swindlers
which the law had pronounced them. They
seemed nothing worse than politicians in
trouble, and their position called for sympathy
from feeling hearts, and for every convenient
favor which could mitigate the unpleasant
circumstances in which they were placed By
virtue of this unwholesome sentiment Genet
is gone. swarm of more provident rascals
have fitted before they were caught. So far
IA they are concerned the result is almost the