The Portland daily press., 1873-12-25
NEW YORK.
The Ring Thieves.

NEW YORK, Dec. 24-The friends of the late
fugitives Norton and Conan say that 4hey will
appear sometime for trial, but do not think
they would receive justice in the present exas-
perated condition of public sentiment.
The verdict in the Hall case it is expected,
will be given this afternoon or evening.
1t is repofted that John Scannell, foreman OF
the Harlem Court House improvement, has run
away.
A Pest Office Defaulter.
The counsel of John w. Norton, charged
with appropropriating $1,000 of the money or
der department of the post office, of which he
was formerly Superintendent having applied
to Judge Benedict to have the Indictment
quashed, on the ground that his wife has turn
ed over all her property to the government
(under an agreement with the government Off
Gals that he should not be prosecuted if this
were done) United States District Attorney
Bliss emphatcally denied that any such agree
ment had ever been entered into Affidavits
were then read by. Mr.. aud Mrs. Norton tc the
effect that there had been.
Judge Benedict then requested the prisoners
counsel to show him any law authorizing any
officer of the government to enter into any
on a consideration of certain property or money
being returned. The Judge reserved his decis-
ion.
Ex.Mayor HALLS Trial.
The trial of Hall was resumed at g. 80 o'clock.
The court room was densely crowded and the
d
present. No testimony for the defence was put
in and Mr.. Stoughton began summing up for
the prisoner.
After the counsel had completed their ad-
dresses, Mr.. Tremaine speaking for the govern
ment, Judge Daniels charged the jury. He
explained the duties of the members Of the
board of audit and tho requirements made of
them by law. They should have investigated
all claims before auditing them to prevent
fraud, and the question for the jury to decide
-h4%I,z I~fa ,I.,.I h.,1 IL
charged his duty. The defendant being law
yer and man of culture should be- held to
strict performance of the duty imposed upon
him. If public officer willfuly neglect his
duty, he is guilty of misdemeanor. The duty
required was personal and could not be delegat-
ed to Others An inspection of many of the
bills presented would have revealed frauds of a
gross character. The Judge instancng one bill
from which was omitted the creditors name.
The public had a right to expect
He instructed the jury that the defence made
of the duties being too arduous, would not
stand as an excuse, for no officer can under
take duty and willfully neglect it. If the ju-
ry was satisfied that the defendant committed
the offense, no matter how painful it might be
to the defendants friends. it was their duty to
pronounce him guilty; and unless they had an
abiding conviction Of his guilt, they must find
him not guilty. He instructed them to confine
themselves to the Indictment, charging the de.
IeuueuG Will WlllIuiIy anu intentionally omit
ting to perform the duties prescribed by law.
Judge Daniels also instructed the jury that
there is no evidence of conspiracy between Hall
and his associates, and nothing connected him
with fraudulent bills.
The jury retired at o'clock
At 8o'clock the jury returned and swere in
structed in answers to queries from the foreman
that the simple act of neglect of duty of willful
nature wou warrant verdict of guilty, and
that the jury were themselves the judges
whether the act was or was not willful
The judge told them that if they did not find
verdsct within an hour or SO they would be
locked up. The jury retired again.
Hall Acquitted.
At 1880 o'clock the jury entered the court
room and in answer to the usual inquiry, the
jury replied that they had found verdict of
mot guilty"
At this announcement the crowded court
burst into thunders of applause which the
court did not object to, and after lapse of
about 10 minutes the court adjourned.
The Flight Of Genet.
Facts have come to light to-day that without
doubt Genet has left the United States for Rio
Janeiro, in comapny with an Intimate friend,
ex Senator Noah Taylor of New Jersey. Dur
ing the latter part of last week the yacht VIM.
HI. Keeny, lying at the foot of Sussex street,
Jersey city, was provisoned and re-ftted for
lengthy voyage, she being chartered for that
purpose by Taylor with the ostensibIe purpose
of visiting Fermandina, Demerara and proba-
bly, other parts On Saturday the vessel
was ready to sail, but for some unexplained
reason, did not until yesterday morning. From
the clerk of Taylor's Hotel it is learned that
Taylor has been in New York the greater part
of the time during Genet's trial, and not until
Genet's conviction was the time fixed for SAIL
ing. The clerk also said that he had no knowl-
edge that Genet was aboard the yacht but from
the ultimate relation existing between Mr..
Taylor and Genet he would not be surprised if
Genet was passenger.
Billiards.
Maurice DAILY and Francois Ubassy p,ayed
the third in the series of games of the grand
billiard tournament this evening. Ubassy was
the winner, scoring 29l while DAILY only made
247.
Various Matters.
The indicted ring frauds, Messrs. Norton and
Conan, Cook and one or TWO others, are where
thespolice cannot find them.
The Virginius and Juniata are expected to
arrive here on Friday.
The address of the President of the Cuban
Republic is expected in this city in few days,
and will probably contain a demand on the
President of the United States to grant belli-
gerent rights to the Cubans.
1t is expected that the sunken barge will be
raised within week from the dock containing
the Arapiles, when the latter will be foated
out.
The loan certificates outstanding to-day
amount to 81, 100000. All the outstanding loan
certificates will be cancalled by January LIST,
except those of the Central National Bank,
which will probably remain out until Febru-
airy.
The latest report about Genet is that he real :
ly escaped by taking passage with Noah Tay-
lor on the latters yacht on Monday from Com
mlpaw for South America.
1t is lumored that one of the largest dry
goods houses in this city has changed its status,
the senior member withdrawing therefrum