New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-29
MR. BRITTON,S DESPERa TON.

Gov. Dix lately named TO-DAY az Iour O'CLOCK
to hear arguments in the case OF District
Attorney Britton, whose removal is demanded
by the Committees of RefOrmers OF Brooklyn,
and notice was duly served on the various
counsel to appear The Governor, In sending
notice to the President of the Committee OF Fifty,
added that he was DESTROYS that all parties should
present themselves promptly, as he wished
to conclude the case during the term of office
of the present Attorney General, because that
officer was familiar with the subject. The
wish of the Governor was heartily echoed by
the Reformers and the individual counsel who
have represented them; and his notice was
received by them with every manifestation OF
delight that there was to be quick conclu-
sion to a case whose solution has been alto
gether too long delayed.
But the defense reOiced in no such prospect.
For a year Mr.. BrittOn has succeeded by art
full measures in pOstpOning the trial OF his
case. He even went to Europe and delayed
his return presumably to avoid an issue which
be knew, if fairly tried. would convict him of
the gravest offenses that it is possible for a
public officer to commit And finally. when
the day was set, and while the Reformers
were resting in the belief that decision was
at length assured, and ready to test the issue
before "a Governor in whose impartiality they
had firm faith, Mr.. Britton, by misrepresenta
tons of facts has at the last hour prevailed
on the Governor to indulge him in few days
more of grace. We say this delay has been
secured by deception Of the Governor, and
doubtless when the record OF the trial and
report of the Commissioner reach him, as they
will to-day he will understand the desperate
game to which Mr. BrittOn resorts.
For two days the only paper fin Brooklyn
which defends Mr.. Britton (because he is the
protector of the Ring which controls its col
umns as it does the District-AttOrney's ofice),
was busy with allegations of conspiracy on the
part of the prosecuting counsel to deliberately
fasify the printed record of the investigation.
And in its foolish zeal and ignorance it was
absurd enough to include Commissioner Spier,
Attorney General Barlow, and Gov. Dix him
self among the cOnspiratOrs. So insane were
these utterances, and so calculated to damage
Mr.. BrittOn, that we ventured out of charity
to him 20 disclaim them his suggestions.
WhereupOn Il d, journal in question responds
that they a, he allegations of the District
Attorney and his counsel. We should be still
disposed to doubt and deny all this were we
not credibly informed that Mr.. Britton has
written to Gov. Dix alleging that the record
was incomplete, that it would require days to
correct it and publish additional papers put in
evidence but omitted from the printed record,
and asking delay on these grounds.
The application was based on an untruth.
1t is Mr. Brtton who has deliberately falsified,
and he has thus betrayed the Governor into
mistake which we trust he will instantly
remedy. The record as printed went before
Commissioner Spier on Saturday; and though
volume of 900 pages, its errors OF every kind
and degree land they were neither numerous
nor importantly were corrected in less than
three hours, and the approved record was for
warded the same day to Albany. And what
did these corrections consist Oft About
score of Typographical blunders were changed
on motions from both sides two documents
were added which the defense had agreed to
furnish from the District-Attorney's office, and
had refused to supply while the record was
printing and the speeches at public meet
ing of Samuel Mclean and A. A. Low, two
az honorable and responsible gentleman as
any in Brooklyn, were stricken out on the ur-
gent motion of the defense, although the
stenographers notes showed clearly they be-
onged to the record. The minutes of a grand
Jury had been omitted because the CHI
Biography could not be deciphered the
Commissioner ruled that the defense might
file copies, but when the counsel
for Mr. BrittOn came to copy them he was
unable to decipher the writing, and the unin-
49, IL in Tho oriDtpaf form
to the Governor. On such grounds as these
honorable gentlemen, fighting as counsel
without reward other than they hope for
from the success of reform, have been charged
with conspiracy" and scOundrelism on Mr..
BrittOn's authority, and the Governor has
been deceived into an act which may
grievously injure and delay Reform in the
worst ring-rdden city in the STATE OF country.
We earnestly beg Gov. Dix to undo this
mischief at once. Delay is what the defense
hope and strive for the prosecution ask only
that the issue now closed may be promptly
decided. Delay is of moment to Mr. Britton,
as we concede; We claim that prompt decision
is Of vaster consequence to a larger number
than Mr.. Brittons friends. The record shows
how he has distorted justice in the past and
for that no deserves convection. He now as
Obstinately Obstructs Reform, as can be shown
and for this we claim he deserves removal.
A new Grand Jury is impaneled in the Oyer
and Terminer for Jan. 5. There are a
great many cases which ought to 60
before it, some of the gravest i'm
portance to Brooklyn, of which the Attor-
ney. General can privately inform the Gov
ernor, though we are forbidden to name them
here lest justice be frustrated. With Mr..
Britton as District Attorney those men cannot
be indicted; with faithful and energetic
man in his place, their indictments would be
a mere matter of form, for the evidence is
l. Tho manila of Rrooll.x l.