National Republican., 1874-07-10
POLICE COURT SKETCHES.
THE RETIREMENT OF Mr.. MILLER
FROM THE OFFICE OF PROSECUTING
ATTORNFV

THE RETIREMENT OF Mr.. MILLER
FROM THE OFFICE OF PROSECUTING
ATTORNEY.
At the opening Of the court yesterday morn.
ing, District Attorney N H. Miller introduced
his successor, General Birney, to the Judge in
a neat little speech, during which he said that
it gave him pleasure to introduce to the court
bis distinguished friend, General Birney, who
was to occupy his position as prosecuting at
torney, and that he felt confident that all of
the duties of the position under his efficient
supervision would be filed with ability and
thOroughness. He said further that in retiring
from his official position he felt satisfied that
he had discharged the business Of his position
to the best Of his ability, and that through all
of his relations with the court he had been re-
cetyed with much kindness and courtesy, and
be hoped that in his private relations In the
future to have that same friendship and conf
dence Of the court that he had exp 3rienced In
the past.
Judge Smell, in reply, said that he knew full
well the perpleXing responsibilities OF the
Office of District attorney, and that It required
dusinted with the business would suppose.
He spoke in high terms of Mr.. Miller's ability
as 9 prosecuting officer, saying that he felt
that the retiring attorney had discharged the
arduous and thankless duties of his Office In
every respect with fidelity, promptness and
integrity, and that his relations with the court
had always been Of an agreeable and pleasant
nature. The Judge then thanked Mr.. Miller
for his courtesy and consideration of the past,
ship and confidence would exist without inter
ruption. His Honor then acknowledged and
received General Birney with few well-timed
and appropriate remarks, which were replied
TO by the General in q short speech, in which
he said that be would take great pride in per-
forming the duties Of the office with fidelity
and dispatch.
Mr.. Miller will open an office Immediately
and practice before all the District courts.
General Birney's son, who is to attend to
the Police Court business, assumed charge Of
the office this morning, and prosecuted several
cases. He is q young man, Of considerable
ability, and will undoubtedly discharge the
duties Of the office in the interest OF the Dis
trict and all concerned.
JOHN LYONS
was found by Officer Haney in state Of intoxi-
cation on L street, near Nineteenth, and he
attempted to carry him to q shady cell in the
station-house, near by, when Lyons refused to
60 The usual pulling and showing transpired,
when the prisoner, refusing to 60, was knocked
down by Officer Bryan, who came to the assist
ance. He was then carried to the station
house, and laid out IN a corner for rest. He
suggested that q physician be sent for, as he
was feeling sick and bleeding profusely, but
when the doctor came and commenced to ex-
anime the wound on bis head, received from
the billy, he Squared himself" and went for
the doctor, who "hade farewell to everything,
and made for the open door," Then the Off
GERS spread him out in the corner again, but 1t
was not until they had laid down on him once
or twice, and walked over him, and MANNED
him with the billy, that his arms assumed a
quiet and his legs laid down to rest. He was
find SIS for loud and boisterous.
CAPTAIN JACK
is one of the city's peculiarities." He has
some of the ModOc characteristics. He was
arrested by Officer Dinsmore on the premises
of Mr.. Shea in the act of stealing some lead
pipe and other movables, and upon being placed
In q cell at the Central guard-house he played
insanity with vim. He commenced eating up
the benches, and finding them rather unpalat-
able he picked them up with an air in which
a fastidiOus clubhouse snob rejects a poor dish
Of peas, and, hurling them into the walls Of
the cell, he laughed and gTinned to see them
fall shattered into dOzenpieces, and appeared
to be much disturbed because he hadn't any
more furniture to demolish. Handouts were
put on him, but he broke them with apparently
but little effort. Then he was tied hand and
foot, and these he sundered by few struggles
and again commenced his work of destruction,
keeping Il up until he was jerked across the
cell two or three times backwards, by the heel
sdapping movement so universally adopted by
the police force of the District. Thirty days
in jail.