New-York tribune., 1874-09-10
THE COURTS.
JURY-RooM AND POSTAL METHODS.

THE CHARGES AGAINST BLISS AND TUNIsoN
On March 13, 1873, Walter Gibson, the editor
Of The Harlem Local, complained TO Commissioner
Shields that G. B. Tunson the Superintendent OF Station
L. Harlem had burned about 100 copies OF his paper
which had been sent to him to transmit through the
mail. Mr. Tunison was arrested that charge, and
discharged by the Commissioner upon the dismissal OF
the complaint by United States DistrictAttorney Bliss
on the ground that the matter had been investigated By
the Post-Offce authorities who had exonerated Mr..
Tunsou. The charge against him was then laid
before the Grand Jury, and they refused to hnd
an indictment Mr.. Gibson publicly asserted,
however, that Mr.. Tunson had burned his pa
pers and the accused applied Mr.. Bliss for further
investigation Of the charge Mr. Bliss replied that the
matter had, In his opinion, been sufficiently lnvest-
gated and declined have anything to do with It,
Mr. Tunisons next step TO write to Mr. Gibson a
letter telling HIM that he would appear for examination
before any United States Commissioner who would hear
the case and challenged him TO attend or keep silent for
tho future Mr. Gibson accepted the challenge, and
Commissioner Belts consented TO preside over the ex-
animation. IL was begun yesterday, when the Com
missioner that he bad informed Mr. Bliss OF what
was to be don and that be had declined to be present
Kan & Haggerty appeared for Tunnison, and William
McNaly counsel for Gibson, conducted the prosecution
Mr. Gibson testified that about Jan. H. 1873, one
OF his subordInates mailed lot OF his papers at Station
L. in Harlem, and that the postage on them was paid
William III. Pierce, who was at that tune clerk III
Station L. but who has since been discharged testned
that the papers referred TO In Station h. and also
that he saw Tunison them armful at time and
buru them up in a stove which 10 the back room.
Mrs Pierce testified her husband had told her about
the burning of the papers, and that he feared there
would be trouble about tho affair. The examination
was then adjourned till II a. M to-day
Mr. Gibson also iwrote letter to Attorney General
Williams demanding the removal of Mr. Bliss, because
he had refused allow him to appear before the Grand
Jury Mr.. Williams recently replied to Mr. Gibson that
he would take no steps toward removing Mr. Bliss be-
cause il seemed that he had exercised in the matter
10 that letter, which mailed yesterday, Mr. gibson
says: 1T would seem that you have misapprehended
would have appeared to be weighty 70
YOU as IL does TO the leading members OF the the
New York bar" He then reviews the case
Gibson and Pierce it asserted, called upon Mr. Bliss
10 furnish him with the evidence IN the case, OF which
he would not hear syllable" and would not ADVISE
heiu as 10 their right In going before the Grand jury
Is within the discretion OF every Attorney TO
put in his ears when citizen OF the United STATES
goes before hm with complaint that MS man matter
mas beer burned ~ On June a. 1874 "Glbson's petition
10 be heard by the Grand Jury was read to them and
the Secretary was ordered TO summon him. "While he
was tesfyng Assistant DstrictAttOrney Purdy acting
under orders from Mr. Bliss sent marshal TO remove
HIM" He then left the ROOM loudly protesting
against SUCH an insult" On the second day of their
session. the foreman OF the Grand Jury gave evidence
of beie pre- ndiced by Mr Bliss fact verified by the a
davIt OF a juryman The defendant aud o witness OF
his were introduced TO present an indictment by the
Attorney. who is TO bring criminals 10
nspce not TO shield them The falsy OF their evidence
can be established No opportunity was given 70 rebut
it, Tunisons witness IS constitullonaliy tnid naD
which Mr. Bliss. who against tue wishes OF tne Grand
Jury stood over hun while ae testified could procure
n It Ia likely that such composed the Grand Jury
referred w lie about the facts OF the case, aud
70 testify what Mr. Bliss said aud did IN the Grand
Jury room. ..s.... ... .. f... -