New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-31
THE COURTS.
JURY-BOX MORALITY.
JUDGE DAvIs's CHARGE TO THE GRAND JuRY-AN
on U.pStNc prpRATTD

JUDGE DAvIs's CHARGE TO THE GRAND JURY-AN
OLD WARNING REPEATED.
In the Court of Oyer and Terminer, yester-
day. the change from feyersness and noise that char
aeterzed every days session OF the Stokes trial 10
almost absolute quiet relief TO all, at least to the
officials. The court opened at the usual hour ana
new Grand Jury sworn ip The list Ia az follows
John II. Hail. foreman Alfred G. Hoe, Charles Zlnn
DAVID Hoyt. james Gibson, Stephen g. Barnnm Edward
T. Smelling. stephen IL Nason. George W. Wgle, John
narS Mafoh E"cp john merhy Villain Brad
ford, John d. Wood, Harvey b. Lane. Alouzo G. STOW
art John Herman, Richard He1neSsy Peter T. BAKER,
John H. Draper, and Allan Campbell.
In his charge to the Grand Jury Judge Davis referred
several important topics, OF which 1t has become
IN erue oJudges TO lay particular stress a. soon
the adnonon has passed their lips 1t has seemingly
been forgotten This Is the lottery business, which
subject the Judge said:
Lotteries abolished 10 this State great many
years ago by tue provision of the Constitution making At
scheme by which parties devise mode OF disposing OF
property by lot chance. Inc selling OF tickets, and,
schemes. very often come within this law. Now, ia
this state, as am informed, and particularly Ia tins
city, since all local lotteries are strictly prohibited a.
crimes, 1t has become very extensive business
Policy shops are only another mode OF violating the
getting money from the public under tao pretense OF
enabling those that purchase the policies to make them
pidy OF large classes OF the community and occasion
ally In point OF fact causing great loss, especially 20
and great gane for small e9upen,atioDs, NOW ltls
great evil In the community, and und srstand com,
policy dealers 1 Invite your investigation TO those
and enarge you tnat t 10 your duty the FACTS DE
established to satisfaction, ~ pr sent those cases
by indictment in order that may rid the city, II pos
siDle, OF 80 great an injury " puOlie morais.i
Tue most important part OF the charge just at this
time when the extraordinary verdict OF the Stokes jury
has set in circulation number Of unpleasant rumors
regarding the way In which 1t obtained, was that
portion which referred directly and strongly TO the
cognzance they might have TO take Of the duty OF petit
jurors The words Of the judge are very significant as
will be seem
GENTLEMEN wish TO say word on subject that
Just of grave Importance. lhlnk
there will be laid before your body Complaints ia respect
TO tue manner In which the duty OF pet Jurors III ths
city is discharged, complaints against persons VINO,
while sitting petit Jurors have allowed themselves to
be approached. LImpered with, in violation OF law. ana
pOssOly corrupted. Now gepJGmen nothing Is clearer
to every reflective mud tnan this: the fountains Oh
justice polluted at thor source no man IS sate'
especially in such community as this We are at the
mercy OF crime, OF fraud, OF All violations OF law adoped
BY men OF Tad motives or OF criminal tehdency uhess
through the fundamentally OF jurors who Will honestly
enforce the law untampered wtn by Interested parties;
onmmnity ,s deepIv Interested in this question
deeply Interested IN the punishment OF eflWe,
deeply Interested in the question whether he, when 1t
becomes necessary for Lin 10 seek Justice through the
Ordinary channels OF the law whether he IL To DC at te
suffer themselves ~ he influenced by external consldeia
tiO5 II complaints OF TINS KIND aTe Drought 10 your NO
lice by the District Attorney az have good TO
suppose they will be- Invoke your full ngestigatOn of
the ease aud ii YOU become satisfied any juror
neeted with any OF Whatever Importance nut es-
pecally with affecting the grave question OF the
administration OF criminal justice IN case Oh ne OF
DEATH urgently invoke your attention 10 tnat case, III
that example may DC made which VIII mhuence
hereafter tue administration OF justice ana render IL
Infinitely purer than there are reasons It mas
been of late Complaints also may DO made or oncers
with courts, whose duties bring them In
connection with jurors sorry % say tnat ia sone
instances, PROBABLY, those officers disregdrded
their duties not only violate them by negligence IN
performing them, but by theIr own direct SOmphcy
with misconduct OF jurors themelycs. Tue statute
makes IL high criminal Ohense ana II case Oh that
kind IL proven before you you certainly ongnt to give
opportunity TO Nlnncate the Jaw Oy tnelf
punishment II criminal contempt OF the courts Tor
Jurors officers commit sucn odenses as tnOse 10
which have lust alluded They also not only pun
shable in that form but they are punishable by ndet
ment The District Attorney VIII can your attention 10
the particular without my dealung you now IN
reference to them. aud. cases are aid before yOu WIZ
doubtless give the sections unlef Wch IL u clale
am ofeuse has committed All Wish To say, Nlth-
out attempting 10 influence your views, III respect 10
any particular case, ID that II sucL complaints
cirzens OF q community In winch the main
teuance the law important than In any oJner
in which you ve you owe IL To the courts who are seek
ing to enforce the laws fairly and Impair ay To see 10
il that person guilty OF ofense to which have
alluded escapes justice, through any failure OI Jurors 10
give the opportunity for ms trial. neoL not detaln
yOu with auy further remarks have felt Impressed
with my duty call especial attention to s subject
You will probably not detained very long ia tue dis
charge OF your duties, Grand Jury has just rlsen
who nave had Of the recent PROB .Dy before
them, aud you will not be placed under such clrcuh-
stances thai you cannot from time to time ADJOURN -
hope, genIlemen-I klUw from your appear ances.
know Intelligence that Is manifested III All your
countenances-that you are not men who do not feel
the oslou which You hold and 10 do ~ faithfully
aud we'll consclentOusly strictly according 10 tue pGo-
visions OF the oath you nave taken
Tue Grand Jury then retired and the Court adjourned