National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-07-21
POLICE COURT SKETCHES.
YESTERDAYS DOINGS AT THE COURT
OF PETTY JURISDICTION.


At the opening of the Police Court yester
day morning Judge Smell took occasion to say
respecting the court reseTying its decision IL
the cases of forgery against A. Il. Underwood
and Thomas B. WaTrick, that It had Away;
been the uniform action of the Police Court
when the grand Jury was not in session, to act
promptly respecting all cases, and to eithel
discharge the defendants or hold them for
hearing before that body. But when the grand
jury is in session it is not contemplated that
the court will examine in detail the entire evi
dence in cases of much Importance which come
before the grand Jury. There were times wheI
it secured the ends Of justice more completely
by having the grand jury commence and con
troll the entire proceedings, and particularly II
cases Of great diversity of evidence and com.
plicity Of both questions of fact and law. The
cases of Underwood and Warrick he deemed
very important, owing TO the fact that some Of
the forged papers had been brought to light
He said that in the case OF one of the parties the
evidence was of such serious import that Il
ought to be sent before the grand Jury fol
hearing, but in the other there we're several
points which arose in the testimony that placed
some doubt in his mind, and this uncertainty
led him to suspend Judgment for the time be,
ing. He believed that there wss other testi
mony which could be produced that would
strengthen the evidence on the part of the
prosecution, but thus far it had not beer
brought into court, and he had sent & message
to the prosecuting attorney, setting forth the
difficulties in the way of rendering decision,
and asked that the cases be sent before the
grand jury for examination. This action OIL
the court had sufficient presidents in the past
70 warrant the measure, and that the plan
would hereafter be firmly adhered to, his honor
believing it the best way TO secure Justice to all
concerned.
SAMUEL WELLS
went over 10 Sarah Smiths mothers, and
wanted to know what in the name Of common
pOiteness she wanted to scald the hair all of
the back OF HIS Scotch terrier with greasy dish
water. The terrier had always been a good,
sensible dog, kept the house free Of rats and
never troubled anybody. "What did he come
shouting around my back yard for If he isn't
any troubled / wish could have thrown the
boiler of hot suds on him, the sneaking little
brute; he's always prowling around in my
yard, and raising a mus with the chickens"
What Wells would have replied to this little
speech is somewhat uncertain, for the moment
her mother had finished Sarah pitched platter
Of lard in Samuel's face, and was just getting
in the back door on a double-quick when q
boulder overlook her, and she was carried in,
another candidate for sympathy and healing
poultices. Samuel was fined 81 for the assault.
Daniel Mccarthy, obstructing the street;
continued. Richard Schneider and jeremiah
Flaherty, loud and boisterous; IS each. Thos.
Pitchlyn, same; IS. Alexander Smith, Lizzie
Storrs, VIM. Twoomey and others forfeited
colIaterals. Charles Phillips, carrying q con-
cealed weapon, billy; $50. Albert Shipley;
loud and boisterous; IS. Rachel Goodhall,
same; S. George Lee, same; S.. Jas. Mere
dith, same; IS. Charles Bishop, profanity; IS.
Patrick Hurley, same; IS. Alice Brooks, for
feited collateral. James Boston and Robert
Hawkins, loud and boisterous talking; S5each.
Mary Lyles, profane and indecent language;
81. Albert Cumberland, larceny of twenty
chickens worth $40; fined $40; appeal taken,
and chickens ordered to be turned over to the
property clerk. Robert Lawson, charged with
breaking open and attempting to enter the
premises of Emma Manly, with intent to CON-
NIT q felony. John Phillips, an accomplice,
testified to entering the house, and Mrs. Cum
berland testified to some of the stolen articles
being brought to her. Lawson was committed
for the action of the grand jury.