The New York herald., 1874-10-04


This great meeting of the rifemen Will long
be remembered, and its briliancy increases
the interest In the beautiful and useful sport
The country is thoroughly pleased that the
challenge OF the Irish team Tor second inter-.
national match at Dublin has been accepted,
and, whoever wins next June, the noble
amusement cannot lose the sudden and sur
prising reputation it has gained.
Tho Grand Jury and the ConInis-
sioneXs OF Charities and Correction.
The Grand Jury have had under investiga-
ton the charges against the Commissioners OF
Charities and Correction embraced in the
official report of the Commissioners OF Ac-
counts, made after full investigation OF the
books and accounts of the department. and
have thought fit to make q presentment to
the Court on the subject of their inquiry.
Fourteen of the jurymen pronounce the
opinion that the investigation has proved that
'the Commissioners have endeavored to per-
form their onerous duties faithfully and for
the best interests Of the public Six of the
Grand Jurors regret that they ''cannot
conscientiously indorse" this statement;
or, in other words, they declare that
the evidence convinces them that the
Commissioners Of Emigration have not
performed their duties faithfully and for
the best interests Of the public The differ
ence Of opinion is wide one and requires
explanation; but, SO far as the public in
terests and the vindication Of the law are con-
cerned, it is fortunate that the charges against
the Commissioners can be considered by
another Grand Jury, which will probably be
more harmonious i'll its judgment.
There are circumstances attending this in
vestigaton which reflect seriously upon the
Grand Jury system. The charges Of violation
Of law and official misdemeanor made against
the Commissioners are very clear and come
from source authorized by the charter to
make investigation of the management of the
several city departments and to report deln-
quencies. The report of the Commissioners Of
Accounts shows, not on supposition but by
direct proof, that purchases of dry goods and
-four have been continuously made by the
Commissioners of Charities and Correction in
direct violation of law, and that invoices have
been altered and falsified md untruthful en-
tries have been made in their books in order
to cover up these illegal acts. The goods thus
illegally purchased have been shown to have
cost the city an unj just and exorbitant price.
The purchases are proved to have been made,
in some instances at least, Of close relatives Of
the Commissioners and it is further proved
thot hp icciO 10 \
to the spirit of the law, tool, the
purchasing business into their own hands.
The official report of the Commissioners
OF Accounts was verified before the Grand
Jury by OATH Certainly if case ever was
taken into Grand Jury room that demanded
an Indictment and trial in a court of justice
this was one. But the Grand Jury thought
proper to visit the institutions under control
of the Commissioners Of Charities and Correc-
ton pending the investigation and to unite
the question OF the condition Of those institu-
tions with the question Of the official honesty
or dishonesty Of the Commissioners They
also saw fit, it is said, to take the testimony of
the accused parties and to admit their ev-
dence in their own behalf. If parties accused
Of indictable offences are to be allowed to give
evidence on their own behalf and to entertain
the jurors the Grand Inquest will become a
mere farce.
Suppose the Grand Jury that indicted Will
lam VI. Tweed had united with their inquiry
into his official acts an examination into the
condition of the public works of the city !?
Suppose they had summoned the great Ring
leader before them, with all his friends, and
accepted his and their testimony in his
behalf? Suppose the result had been
whitewashing presen.ment declaring that
Mr.. Tweed had endeavored to perform
his various and onerous duties faith
fully and for the best interests of
the public? Would there have been two
opinions as to the character of the Jury and
as to the honesty Of their presentment? This
is precisely what the majority of the present
Grand Jury have thought proper to do in the
case of the Commissioners of Charities and
Correction, while they have neglected to pro-
cure evidence as to the quality of the -four
and the character of the meat purchased
by the department, as well rs to the
alleged misrepresentation as TO the popu-
laiion in the institutions under charge
Of the tainted department. The six jurors
who refuse to unite in this whitewash-
ing and questionable presentment are Shep-
herd Knapp, Jr.; f. Colgate, T. du viner
Robert Morrison, John w. Campbell and A.
7 Hoines II is only ustce n theca ContIo