The New York herald., 1873-10-23
BROOKLYN COURTS.
An Editor Committed for Contempt-The
Law Of Libel.

Before Judge Gilbert
The attention of Judge Gilbert again called yes
tcrday morning to the OF Mr.. w. i. G. Shanks
New York newspaper editor. who before him the
previous day for refusing disclose to the Grand Jury
the name of the author Of article entitled 'sThe
Brooklyn Rings Method" which was published last
August in the paper to which he is attached MI shanks
continued disclose the name Of the writer
and district Attorney Britton therefore moved that he
be committed 10 jail Tor contempt of Court Judge Gil
bert Tuesday having ordered him to inform the
punishment in his case would be mprsonment until he
ee o order S the 9u NJ. he ne,o 4
ndcllty 10 the rules Of his Office yet be must not be
rue d allowed eGof make raes 70 con
cea hs aa,horship Of an article when the same Is
way Of Justice that CO.. copd ,. not be be tolerated
by counsel but had had no opportunity to confer with
Judge Gilbert replied that II the counsel were prescn.
he should be glad TO hear him. The Judge however, did
not think i was right 70 allow contumacious witness to
The editor asslaimcd any desire to appear contu
SoSs he On s s9a IA S rsns Of s
Judge SiSsr! directed that an order be entered send
The editor protested that he was . witness on the
SO order that he tshank should not appear as having
Judge 1s said there rules by which Wit
sht ss 1t OF nsrs % NO e
Mr. shanks said he knew no law, but he knew his bus
i PnS c coming
appeared for HIM and suggested that he should he
given until this morning TO answer the charge The
sci eonended that the me newspaper being eorporaon it
of writer the maintenance oil law and order The
corporation could be indicted
Judge Gilbert held that the who writes libellous
article just liable the that publishes H. The
that carried 70 the paper liable That furnished
immunity 10 the writers. The Judge said he was
clear the question and did not want TO hear any argu
MI shanks went to jail and now occupies the debtors
in that Institution.
The District Attorney and the Grand
Jury.
At the request OF the District Attorney the Grand Jury
subsequently brought into Mr. Brton desired
obtain the instructions Of Court on these three
questions
Tr-Whcther II proper for the Grand Jury 10 listen
70 statements other than rom the District Attorney
his assistants In the Grand Jury room relating 10
IN attcrs before not under 0athr
Second-Wbcther 10 Is proper for any member of the
Grand jury nj his residence elsewhere out OF the
lore the Grand Jury.
Tiird-Wncther II witness Is brought before the Dis
trict Attorney 20 give testimony In where him.
self appears particeps crminis and Dty
complaints are made against him. he be indicted Tor
the crime.
Judge Gilbert replied to these questions as folIows;
Ftrst-Certainly not You are liable TO censure. N not
Sscond-it is highly improper and would subject tho
party punishment for contempt and the Juror Also
The statement must be made tefore them under OATH In
Tlirdi dont know OF any rule preventing them from
finding Indictment When witness Is used the
named II Is with the understanding that he 10 be
lett free himself Ifan Indictment, therefore, found
the District Attorney would have TO apply noe pro.
seoul winch would stay all further proceedings IL would
therefore, be idle aud useless to find the Indictment