New-York tribune., 1873-03-04
DIsTRICr-ATToRNEY BRITToNs CASE.

THE BROOKLYN COMMITTEE OF ONE HUNDRED
EXONERATE HIM FROM CHARGES OF MIS-
CONDUCT
The Brooklyn Reform Committee of One
Hundred last evening i'll the Directors room of the
Academy of Music, Franklin Woodruff in the chair. The
Law Committee made report regarding the District
Attorney.
IL stated that soon after M Britton assumed the du
Zee the Office he asked by members OF the Eyecu
tive Committee what he intended do in the election
fraud cases. He replied that he had been told by his
predecessor Mr.. Morris, and A. c. Davis who assisted
am IN these cases, that there more un-
trIed which conviction could be had, and that Mr..
MOTIFS had agreed to enter nOe proseQ in all the re-
ainng cases but had omitted to do Subsequent TO
this Mr. stated that he had examined the cases,
and that there five or six IN which the evi.
dence was sufficient to insure conviction.
One of these, the of Nevns afterward the
reeommen Of Mr. Goodrich tried, and the defend
ant acquitted 1t appeared that the evidence given
On trial materially different from that taken
before by this Committee, the same witness testfyng
Inherently. The other cases remain untTied. The Com
ittee Of the opinion that the several men
toned might have been tried with reasonable proba-
blty OF conviction If the powers the DistricAttorney
possessed had vigorously pressed TO procure
dence and enforce the attendance Of witnesses. Ii is
but lust TO state Mr. Brton claims that believed
She public interest would be better served by not trying
petty offenders than by trying them and falling to con-
discretion the matter t his duty TO bring to trial
tie several cases mentioDed.i
IL is that these indictments for minor Of
fenses and that in most Of them the evidence is clearly
insufficient but the Committee Of the opinion that
the question of trying indictment should not be de-
teTmined by the magnitude of the crime and that the
risk of failure 10 tusain charge court must always
taken extent. While, therefore they do not
agree with the DistrictAttorney as TO whether the
should have been tried, aud also TO whether If
u1ed, there any reasonable chance for conviction
The Committee of the opinion that corrupt motive
nor any intent eyade the discbare of official duty
sbien his political party from punishment can justly
he imputed TO Mr.. Britton.
The most that be said s that D the opinion Of this
Committee he has committed an error Of Judgment in
the exercise OF discretion which the law gives bin
and which II necessary, for the administration Of
justice that he should used and that the trial Of
these few cases. at the risk Of scquittal would
have only served the public interests and the public de-
maDds. The Committee have been able to obtain no
evidence Of official misconduct or corrupt neg
lect OF any duty the part Of the District AttOr.
pey. Especially Is this the respecting the charges
made by A. C. Davis Who three occasions, refused TO
Iaeot the Committee or in any way communicate to
COumtee any satisfactory excuse for his refusal other
than statement OF his recent engagement by the Com
Ltse OF Fifty 70 assist IN preparing charges against
Mr. BrItiOn.
Tbe report was signed by LUdOyic Bennett, Robert
tOEnsoD and John X Kennedy, and attached 10 1t
> resolution asking that the Committee might dis
charged from lurther consideration OF the matter
Mr. Davis came forward and SAID that n the Chairman
The Law Committee would again read those portions
which has appeared he would
Lis defense Ue submitted that was unfair thatthe
Cointuittee should place him in ffase Hight. Some dis
elop occurred, Ia which Mr. Davis repeatedly declared
that the statements regarding HIM were positive and
uruiLigated cs" Mr. DAVIS also denied that he had
ioen properly invited appear before the Law Com
nittee " testify n the matter Of the charges against pr
RrftiOD he Lad been invited informally by Mr. Far
rIngton but declined 10 consider this an Official
4nrst
Mr. Barnes moved 10 strike out ali iD the report in
relation " MT Davis. Mr. Perry said thai This would
lsake report AZ all and moved to refer u back 10
the Committee. Mr. BsTneSs motion TO strike out
carned, and the report was then LAID on the tabR,
Tie CopDlte9 tbep dscussed The sset clesnigs COZ