New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-11-04
THE COURTS.
A JURORS CONTEMPT.

THE EIGHTH NAN IN THE STOKES PANEL REQulRED
TO FURNISH HEAVY BAIL
Something of crowd gathered in the Court
of Oyer and Terner yesterday to hear the proceed
ings Ia the case OF No OF the Stokes JuryJames Deos
Center. Judge Davis brought him there on a magis-
rrates warrant which charged him with contempt OF
Court. The first thing asked by Mr.. Hummel, Centers
counsel was an adjournment TO give hun time for con-
sultation with his attorneys Meantime wliying exam
inatoD, he asked that bail he fixed at o moderate
amount Mr.. Allen, Assistant Distrct-Atorney, after
the examination nad been waived said tnat In regard to
the hiking OF bail he did know how far the Court was
conversant with the facts he would generally
that the oral evidence and the adays which he heard
before the Grand Jury presented a most heinous
and Migrant case Of contempt Of Court. After
leaving court and going TO the Aston House. officer
and he would 90 through the Barcayst. door aud
20 around to the lowest dens OF the city, TO faro BANKS,
staying out all night and talking everywhere about the
case There was witness TO whom he stated he was IN
carriage with Horace Stokes brother pr the prisoner,
and others, who heard him announce what his action
would be- The Court asked TO fix bail in sum that
will insure his attendance
Mr. Hummel-Whateyer he did, It was IN company
with an officer appointed by tie Court TO take charge
OF him. lie never absent from tho Aston House
except IN that officers company. lie
jury except In this CASE he served that to the
best OF his understanding. Although resident this
city "a years. he cannot give excessive bail.
Judge Davis said that the Oense charged In the
rant was msdemeanor, but it was Of grave charac-
ter ana 1t was Important that there should be oppor
tunty to evado inquiry He felt that it his duty to
impose heavier bal than usual, aud should fix the
sum at 5000.
Among the afidavts which support the complaint
which the warrant is issued IL that Of Harry Hill, who
states that Center whom he has known eight or nine
years came TO his place about the first night no Thinks
when the Jury was complete in tue Stokes trial He was
4
any one wouid have noticed IL. He spoke about the
case ana sad That one man had sold himself Tor $500;
that St0ke5s brother told him he had got to do
what he wanted for $780, lie talked TO great many
people about the case and said he had been riding In
carriage with stokess brother He came second night
Nlh the officer and four or five friends lie sid he had
been TO Columns, and was gong back there; Homer
Lane was with him; witness noticed That ne WAS drunk
ana heard rom others that he had great deal TO say
about the case.
The officer, John W. Hunt, states that Center asked
him TO allow him TO attend To his business lis Told HIN
10 get permission from the Judge. Center spoke to the
Mr.. Center took him to place which he found out WAS
faro bank In Houston-st, aud put down some money
TO enumerte the various places which Center took him
to on the nights they were cut, such as Harry Inns
Rcddy the BlaCksmths liquor store In Nirickst &c,
ana gives accurate account OF the various bottles OF
wine Center mad The officer, however swearS that he
never heard center speak OF the stokes case.
ArpOrter Of The tribune called upon j. Dcos Center,
yesterday at his cell No 81 ON the second ter IN me
Ioubs, where he locked up about nOon IN default
OF $500 pan Referring to tho CHARGES pnniiey made
against him and his arrest Mr. Center said: was
passenger agent for the Eric Railroad about II years
ago. and aiterward became agent for the Ne"-York
Central Road. remarked to my VIE ana 10 several
friends that the Erie people wOnl1 suspect that would
20 against Fisk. My connection with tue Erie Road
ceased when the general ticket agent was turned away
never thought though that they would persecute me
this way. don't know Why they making target
Of me. They say controlled the Jury, but the otuer
jurors can speak Or themselves and they know that
had less 10 say Than any man on the JaIy. was on
the police force before the war, and don't know why
they should think could be bought. / Gm tine sole
here fOr "A certain brand OF wines. must Welt
drinking places 10 push trade and collect money due
"A al
places was committing "A contempt OF Court; one OF
tue deputy shorfs with me- and II he knew IL he
should hayo told me so. Now am drinking man, and
visited these places OF course drank. My oath
Juror TO render verdict on the evidence, ana
nothing IN the oath about drinking. III mad
known that doing wrong would not nave per-
sisted II openly. Tom, Dick or Harry might nave
sand 10 in joke, How ia the trla proceedingP
may have answered jJcosely, but don't remember
what / said. Tney treated badly the night l was
arrested locked in the Fifteenth Precnct sta
non house. asked doorman II might tue Cap
tain; ne said the Captain not in, and iG was Ony
tins morning laid my eyes on him. tried my best 10
get something 70 eat and my wife mad not called TO
see me | would have gone without food"