New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-06-09
THE COURTS.
THE BROOKLYN RING TRIALS.


Testimony OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF CIIAfdIihS-
CLOSE OF THE EVIDENCE.
The trial of the indicted Brooklyn Commis-
~,oners OF Charities was resumed yesterday before
ranicas Charles W. Hamilton OF East New-forh "s"
fed fayorably In regard to the charac'ei u .ho
Ferguson one OF the accused. Harmond h"e'p'
hospital clerk, testified in relation 10 the 'o',
keepng on ha nd articles not In immediate use, -,
o articles are REQUIRED IN the hospital ana ABOUT "0
same number In the laboratory. Francis A. har
dealer IN tobacco for 40 years. gave Testimony 'h
rerard 10 the value OF various kihus Vi w
hseoo and John Menus testified In reeard W hquo's
shown him by the defense, and taken from tue hospit
steres Daniel +. Ferwald gave testimony as 10 'he
character of stephen H. Powell, and Supervisor A. dup-
nsr OF New Utrecht spoke favorably OF COMMISSIONS,
Ferguson J. R. Jurgens testified favorably IN regard
n the reputation OF Mr. Wills as did also Isaac f.
Tracey
stepbou III Powell one OF the accused testified tnat
hout "a months ago his wife had been presented WIN
slyer pitcher 5ut he did not know from whom IL came
Ahout two wears ago had received about $i2s from
Mr. E,rv In regard to the item of chiccory. Shoes &c.
IN believed that the prices down in good faith
Cornelius Ferguson, another OF the Commissioners
testified that he had been Commissioner since 1860
He never knew OF change caused by the law Oh ISL
recurring advertising the part OF tho Board lie hau
never received any pecunary consideration OF re"aru
to influence his action Commissioner lie knew Oh
places In Brooklyn where lime could be purchased al
market rates. They went to Early Lane woouen-
ware dealers TO purchase lime because the Quantities
required were so small that others would mol open an
account with them There was no otner reason WY
1hey nurchased lime, liquors. tohacco ana nalis Oh
Early 4 Lane woodenware dealers. al Mgniy au-
yanced prices The same was truo -, Sad ~, th
TanTx Mills another OF the accused testified that he
had never until two three months ago. been aware Oh
r Ms f the articles mentioned in the indictments.
1Ia al a u
After some unimportant testimony both defense and
prosecution rste1 their and Gen. Tracy 10, me
defense addressing the Judge SAID that ne uesreu to
Court TO compel the 10 t fsSt
indictment or those relating 10 the ihulctineht LOT
& TGs 9dSg sna had time vet in which
choose between the indictments
~ n,it rrcng which cnnd he brought against the
accused was that stated ia the Indictment. then Kings
Comfy might i'm tins age corruption DO congratulated
Il was about the smallest that great officials had
ever been tried for There was no allegation IN the In
was wronged There were two classes Of counts
each article containing TWO counts counts ono rrb ,on
taking up the latter Tracy said that any rule which
would prevail TO convict the defendants under these
counts might be applied to brand as criminals ~ out OF
every ~ officials IN State Tie act OF 1871 enJoins
upon the the duty of advertising for GER
is,n of mis- iniuneon There is provision Of the Re
vised Statutes decarngthat any pubic oinclal Will
fully negec.s TO perform any duty he required 10 90
he is guilty Of msdemeanor. Upon these two laws the
prosecution depends to convict the defendants Of teen
meal oifense But the negligence must be wilfu-hat
is done knowingly aud Intentionally. Counsel then
went on TO speak OF the laDors OF the Commls-
soners IN the discharge OF their duties They were es-
pecally difficult OF comprehension by person entrey
new to them. 1t might be urged by the DstrctAtI9r,
ney all were presumed to know the law The
answer he would make was IN the words OF the late
James 4. Brady, that every one was presumed u, 70
know the law except the lawyers and the judges. lie
then urged that II unreasonable 10 allow the statute
OF 1875 long dormant, 10 be applied in this case
the Commissioners had decided after mature delbera
the meaning " the statute OF 1871, should they
for this legal decision be made crimDaisf The charge
OF conspiracy was not sustained by the evidence
conspiracy not merely the agreement OF number
OF persons TO do certain thing Toe counsel claimed
that the charges not excessive as 10 be sug-
gesve OF fraud This proved by the oak pas caus
&c soda aud tobacco.