The New York herald., 1875-10-01
THE COURTS.
THE ALARMING INCREASE OF CRIME
Important Presentment by
the Grand Jury.
The Last Theatrical In
junction.
THE O'BALDWIN HOMICIDE.

The Grand Jury OF the Court OF General Sessions
came into court yesterday, and the foreman having
announced that they had completed their labors His
Honor Recorder Hackett discharged them with the
thanks or the Court The following presentment was
presented by the jury to the Court
To THE HONORABLE RECORDER oP THE CIrY AND
County or NEW York.
AZ the termination Of their duties during this Sep
tember, A. d. 1875, term OF the Court Of General Ses
sions the Grand Jury by this presentment, would
spectfuy call your attention and all other authorities
having Jurisdiction the following statement Of facts
with full confidence that prompt action will he taken TO
enforce existing laws or if these insufficient
the enactment of Others in order to remedy the
evils or which now complain
Ffrst-The alarming increase Of crime in this commu-
nifty especially of murder robbery and burglary, has
engaged our earnest consideration Under our oaths
have been obliged to ndict than twenty per-
for murder in the first degree and citizens nave
TO feel that in consequence Of the neicency ot
the police force at present constituted they are not
secure IN the possession OF either nle or properly
Cool and deliberate murders committed, and the
guilty perpetrators escape without deecton or punish
ment
.Second-A large proportion OF the criminals indicted
fcr violation OF law have been clearly proven to have
been under the influence of Intoxicating liquors when
1he crimes committed by them The State has
enacted satisfactory laws regulating licenses to sell
liquors yet the evidence presented before US clearly
shows that they wisely properly enforced
We do find that the Board of Excise Commissioners
have permitted large numbers OF improper persons TO
sell spiruous liquors without license arrest, and
that these places arc notorious as the usual re-
sorts Of thieves prostitutes, gamblers and
and combined action between the Excise Board
and the Commissioners of Police the latter Board hav
ing list from tho Excise Board of the places TO which
license has been granted or refused In the New York
World of the 5th OF September inst there is published
detailed statement OF 254 places in this city selling
liquor mostly without license, and described thus103
frequented by prostitutes and panel thieves 81 fire.
quented by SUSPICIOUS persons 10 the habtua resort
Of suspicious persons are patronizcd by ramps and
:vagrans and in 10 there waiter girls principally
panel thievos pckpockets and shopliiters The sub
stanal truth of this statement has been shown by the
Third-Another important reason for the increase Oh
crime IN this community arises largely from this state
ment presented to u.s. that when arrests have been
made by the police authorities of gamblers caught in
the very act with their implements and money on the
tables OF men guilty of violation OF the Excise laws
and of others keeping dsordery and improper houses
in large number OF cases. when brought before some
of the police Justices where the evidence OF their
crimes was full and ample, they have been promptly
discharged from arrest or held to answer on small or
insufficient ball. often in sum not exceeding 500 IN
amount and TO such extent has this been carried
that 1t has made the police largely Indifferent to the
discharge of their proper duties.
EOur-0ur attention has beon called to the en- cum
bered condition OF the piers of this city by
parties occupying them in the direct violation OF the
city ordinances We do therefore, request that the
proper authorities having supervision enforce existing
laws regulating the same In conclusion We would,
through your honorable Court, most urge upon the
people, who the true source of power in the
State, faithful discharge of their own peculiar
duties and responsibilities. Magistrates and other off,
cals elected appointed TO enforce the laws arc enti
tied to and should receive encouragement and support
in every endeavor made by them to enforce the laws
rather than the coa lnuinerence OF capous crtcsns
which too often await them When citizens, either
mae female know Of violations OF law the course Of
justice Will be promoted If they would give their aid
and assistance by informing the proper authorities OF
such facts and by giving the evidence before the courts
which they may possess in order convict and punish
criminals rather than suffer criminals escape, because
such of action might involve the necessity OF
personal sacrifice trouble Such discharge OF duty
by the people would largely assist faithful and true men
holding offices OF honor, responsibility and trust for
magistrates and rulers only powerful when they
supported and sustained by those whose servants they
are to execute the laws
JAMES NJ. DUNBAR, Foreman
Il f.