New-York tribune., 1873-03-13
MR.. BRITTONS DEFENSE.
HIS REPLY TO THE CHARGES OF THE BROOKLYN
COMMITTEE OF FIFTY.

HIS REPLY TO THE CHARGES OF THE BROOKLYN
COMMITTEE OF FIFTY.
District-Attorney Britton of Kings County
has filed his answer to charges Of the Committee OF
Fifty with the Attorney General who has left IL with
the Governor but further proceeding has had,
owing TO the death OF the Governors son.
The first charge was for improperly preventing an
Investigation by the Grand Jury OF the alleged miscon
dnct of public officer" and was based upon his alleged
refusal to prosecute Isaac Badeau, formerly Collector OF
Taxes and Assessments on criminal counts Mr. Brtton
denies that he obsructed the investigation of these
charges or that he Of the contents OF the report
and affidavit submitted by the Committee of Fifty TO the
Grand Jury lie afrms that the Grand Jury was com
posed Of men Of intelligence and probty that Isaac
Badeau is not member Of his party, and has been
exonerated from similar charges previous occasion
The foreman OF the Grand Jury he admits, asked him
hypothetical question, n regard TO an officials following
the CUSTOM OF predecessors the payment Of public
funds at stated intervals but he replied that it would
not be felony as felonious intent would be wanting,
but that officer would be liable to the city in clV
action IL damages had been sustained.
The second charge OF "mtentionally protecting per
sons guilty OF violating the Election laws, by refusing
and neglectng to prosecute them, was based on the
fact that prosecutions conducted by Col Davis and
Judge Morris, as DstrctAttorney, under which they
convicted several officials and secured their ncarcera-
ton in the pententiary for stung balotboxes, were
Office and others, against whom Icharges were pending
were allowed 10 60 unprosecued. 1t charged that
i'm tins way John J. Campbell, poll clerk; James
Dunno, Alderman Of the Sixth Ward Matthew Nc
Kenna another poll clerk, and Others were allowed TO
escape Mr. Brton denies that he protected these per
sons. He admits tnat there were extensive election
frauds in 1871 that the Committee of one Hundred col
lected evidence and offered the services Of counsel and
that he declined the aid Of Col Davis but he claims
that he was informed his predecessor that there
no indictments on which convictions could be had.
The third charge s for gross neglect of duty in not
prosecutpg INSPECTORS OF election known by him to have
violated the Election laws" 1t was charged that GER
tfcate of election Alderman Of the Eleventh Ward
was gwen TO Andrew Foster. when in fact John L. Doug
lass had been elected. He denies any such neglect OF
duty have had no knowledge that frauds were
committed in his Behalf and expresses the belief that
there was wrong gdong on both sides.
The fourth charge, "neglect Of duty and improper
conduct" specifies that Britton in interview with
John Devn, in the Distrct-Atorney's Office made an
arrangement with Devlin, without the consent OF his
counsel 10 quash the indictment against him for at
tempting TO take the life OF person not named. In
denial he that Devlin is Republican politician
who fired pistol without nJuring any one when dlsOr-
derly men began a fight in saloon election day. As
Devln acted in selfdefense, the case was not tried
The nth charge is gross misconductn protecting an
abortonist." He admits that he made motion for
noe prosequ in the of Nine Van Bgskrk, who was
indicted for manslaughter in the fourth degree, but
claims that she tried at period OF great pubic
eXctemcnt that the jury stood six for conviction ana
six for aCquittal that there no evidence OF an
abortion, and hence the only question was one OF
criminal negligence, and that there was no hope OF
conviction.
The sixth charge is "wful neglect OF duty and
improper conduct" in making an arrangement Win
Patrick Keenan,, indicted for rnalfeasance as Commits
soner of Deeds aud for forgery by which Keenan,
was 10 plead guilty 10 a misdemeanOr, ana "a noHe
prOseGu was 10 entered on the Indictment forgery
In deuying this charge ne states that Patrick Keenan,
was indicted for forgery and misdemeanor and that Mr.
Morris appeared counsel; pleading guilty 10 insdc-
meanOr, Keenan, was sentenced those persons whose
names alleged have been forged stated In card
that had authorized Keenan, TO sign their names 10
the document, the indictment remained unrlcd
no arrangement was made with Keenan, the subject,
except that notice received That he intended 10
plead guilty 20 the indictment for misdemeanor
The seventh charge OF grossly Improper conduct IN
the trial OF L. Il. Irsh he emphatcaly denies, ana De
fends his cause reference 10 the witnesses Mrs.
Quick her brother from oregon, ana Andrew Jackson;
The eighth charge "cOnduct calculated 10 bring the
administration of Justice into contempt, he denies with
reference 10 the Of fcall or improper language.
The ninth charge for bribery ana corruption en-
braces lately developed by the Committee OF
Fifty TO the increase by the Supervisors OF
Kings County of his salary OF DisrictAtOrney alleging
that the cOrruptly made. lie admits
that applied for the increase OF salary, but claims
that the request was granted WITHOUT any IMPROPER h
ducements on his part.
The tenth charge, corruption IN once, IN shleldluga
former client, Gilbert T. kasbeck, from an Indictment
for perjury, he denies point blank
The eleventh charge is for Improperly using the
power and influence OF his office 10 prevent proper Ill
vestigaton by Grand Jury into his alleged official mis-
conduct" He denies that he prevented asy nyestiga-
tOn OF the charges against himself and arns that the
presentation made in his favor, the last day OF the
Term was his suggestion. He closes his defense
by alleging that ne Is the victim Of conspiracy, ana
that his predecessor Is unworthy Of belief.