The New York herald., 1875-12-30
BRooKLYNs DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
TWELVE GRAND JURYMEE CHARGE HIM WITH
NEGLECT OF DUTY-wHAr HE AND OTHERS

NEGLECT OF DUTY-wHAT HE AND OTHERS
SAY.
The statement published from Albany setting forth
that several members Of the Grand Jury Of tho Kings
County Court OF Sessions for the month OF November
had preferred charges Of improper conduct in the
else OF Official duty against the District Attorney Mr.
Winchester Britton, caused considerable comment In
public circles generally. The charges laid before
Governor Tiden were signed by twelve members of
the secret inquisitoral body in question the
naming nine Grand Jurors having declined 10
attach their signatures to the document The paper
sets forth that Mr. Briton, District Attorney did not
cooperate with the jurors when by sworn evidence OF
reliable witnesses, most startling system Of corrup
ton and blackmailng the part OF certain prominent
officials before them.n The jurors assert that the
minutes Of the Grand Jury will show that an indict
ment should have been found and vigorously prose
cued That these things not done they charge to
the District Attorney and allege that he atempted to
shield his political friends" The petitioners ask that
uch steps may be taken may be just and proper to
relieve US from the distractions Of justice which have
been SO outrageously interposed by the District At
torney"
Mr.. BRiTToS SAYS
reporter OF the HERALD called Mr.. Britton and
had brief interview with that gentleman in the
OF which he said that the first signed 10 the
ettel W tue governor explained tne Whole tnhB-tne
name Of Henry A. Richards. He remarked that he was
prepared to answer fully the assault when the right
time comes, and to the proper person. The Grand
Jury of November had before 1t for examination
tain matters relating the official actions of public
Official in connection with certain gas companies At
about one O'Clock of the last day which the Grand
Jury could legally sit his advice asked to
whether any criminal offence shown He advised
in the negative, but suggested that the matter be LAID
over for the consideration OF the next Grand Jury for
further evidence which was done early in the ses
sion OF the following Grand Jury said
Mr. Britton, ~ brought the matter be-
fore IT, advising it of the then state OF
the case and requesting attention to the sub
ject The jurors have done requested and have
given it most thorough investigation, the result of
which will appear when they make their presentment
at the end Of the week Whether have aided them
or shirkcd my duty in the matter will leave them to
say They at least have been pansaking careful and
honest, and are exceptionally intelligent. Had my
quite sure that the malice of Richards could
have obtained these eleven signatures, Tor /
reason why these eleven men should not be honest
owe too much to the people Of Brooklyn to betray them
or their interests and they know that no power could
make me do it The signers of the letter VIII appear
very ridiculous before the end of the week..
WHAT rHE GRAND JURORS SAY.
Mr Gilbert Hicks, who foreman Of the Grand
Jury for November, said Mr. Richards had shown him
paper which read like the published from
Albany and had asked him to sign it, but he aeclned
face, and he would lend his do Mr. Britton
any else an Injustice. -
Mr. Ferdinand Stayentagen, another member Of the
by Henry A. Richards, who, said he ~ am told is
personal enemy OF Mr.. Brtton. He formerly owned
the Brooklyn Chronicle in which he attacked Mr.
Briton, who sued him for libel Richards
rested and lodged in Raymond Street Jail for
days in default Of bail There was an import
ant witness, whom it was difficult to
get MIR. Britton personally subpenaed him,
and brought hm before the Grand Jury at noon on the
last day Of The term. His testimony was very impor-
tant and Mr.. Brton said there would not be time to
take IT and prepare Indictment and suggested that
the matter stand over for the next Grand Jury.
In inn IN af1a nd
Is now the minutes He said further that Mr.. Brit
ton offered no obstruction to the jury, but the
trary, he had referred them question of law to
Judge Moore, who gave the same counsel as Mr. Brit
ton. Mr. Stavenhagen also stated that when he re-
fused to sign the letter brought to him by Richards the
latter rejoned, "l'l mark youn
Mr. Frederick Weber, who on the same jury, said
he declined tosign the letter, though requested to do
SO by Mr.. Richards
Mr.. George +. Miller juror had been asked to sign
the document laid before the Governor but refused
there was no truth in the representations made In the
letter. he said that :" Juror Vaughan told him he
would not have signed tf Mr. Richards had not assured
him that Mr. Brtton did not intend to bring the matter
before the December Grand jury
IT is rumored that the subject before the Grand Jury
was the Indictment of Commissioner W Fowler, OF
tie Board OF City Works, charge of having received
" cents for each street lamp from the gas companies
ANTEcEDENrs OF MR.. BRITToN.
Mr.. Britton, 1t Will be remembered, was removed
ffom the office of District Attorney of Kings county,
during his previous term OF office, IN the early spring
o 1874. The acharges upon which he removed
preferred against HIM by the Committee of Fifty
lengthy examination was had upon the evidence,
which presented by the then counsel for the Com
mttee OF Fifty, S d. Morris and A. q. Davis Attorney
General Barlow represented the State in the trial The
allegations were failure to prosecute certain delinquent
officials, ex-Tax Collector Isaac Badcau among tho
number. General Benjamin +. Tracy appeared
counsel for the accused District Attorney at that me
and made earnest aud eloquent defence The papers
and testimony elected which were most vouminous,
were handed to Governor John A. Dix, who, alter in
specting their contents removed Mr. Britton al time
when that gentleman had ten months OF unexplred
term TO This action the part of
tho republican Governor severely criticised
by the democratic constituents of Mr.. Brlton, who
claimed that he had been sacrificed upon the shrine OF
partisanship. ExAdcrman Thomas II. Rodman OF
the Sixth ward, democrat appointed to I'LL the
vacancy created by the removal OF Mr. Brtton but he
did not hold IL more than month, owing to i'll
health. Mr. j. A. Winslew trepublicanl succeeded Mr.
Rodman. In the fall Winchester Britton before
tho Democratic County Convention, and unan-
imously and most enthusiastically nominated for n
second term. He vindicated by his party
at tho polls at tho ensuing election Per-
sonaly Mr.. Britton is attractive and
OF dne physique. AS lawyer he stands among tho
foremost the Bar He is strong IN intellectual vigor
and is in the prime of life He passed the years OF his
early manhood in California and held a prominent
Office in the stirring days of the Vigilance Committee
in San Francisco.
Mr. Britton has two years and one day still 10
in his present term The salary attached 10 the Office
is SIC, 900 per year.