New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-10
INVESTIGATION OF CRIME.

TRANSFER OF CRIMINAL CASES FROM THE COURT OF
SPECIAL SESSIONS TO THE Observation-Disclosures
oPFICE-AcTs OF OFFICIAL cOURTgsY-woRK-
INGs OF THE EXCISE BOARD.
At the session yesterday of the Assembly
Committee on Crime Moses 7. Clark, Chief Clerk OF the
DistrctAtomeys Office, testified in regard to several
cases n which papers In regard TO criminal cases had
been sent to that office. John Crowley was arrested
for picking n pocket, but not indicted. HIS was a
bail case which, the witness ead, usually had prece
dence over prison The charge wns assault WIN
intent to steal over which the Court OF Special Sessions
had Jurisdiction Three letters in tho we're pre-
scented. Two from the witness, asking that the
Office The third wss from John l. Daycn-
port to Justice Murray, asking the transfer OF
the case 10 the Court of General Sessions
william Sparks Mr. Clark etated. was dismissed by the
action Of the Grand Jury. The papers In the case OF
James Divine TO the ttoney az the
charge against bim-of eloniOus assault and battery
under authority Of the Court of Special
Sessions hut nothing done In the case. The cases
OF Hugh Mcclure, Elisha Dorney John White, and sew.
eral Others were also sent to the Office OF the District
Attorney but nothing was done.
Henry salisbury, the clerk OF the Committee, testified
with reference ~ number " which had been sent
from the Court Of Special Sessions 70 the Dis'rctAtor
ney by request Of Mr. Clark.
Merwiu n Jones' Deputy Clerk of the Court Of Special
Sessions said there legal authority by which
District Attorney could ask for the transfer III any
case unless he had evidence Of higher crime which did
under the jurisdiction Of the Court OF special
Sessions bpt that Court had the right to transfer any
case, aud when the DisriGf-Att0rney asked Tor such
transfer IL usually made an act OF courtesy 10
that officer. Ine object Of the law In imposing tines on
persons unable TO pay them was 10 prolong tine tune OF
imprisonment The law provided that IN cases OF itoI
cation the lire could he worked out at the rate
81 day, after the OF sentence had expired
airy In ali eases. Sometimes the Commissioners asked
for the remission OF hnes In cases OF prisoners VINO i
behaved WELL and Tor other reasons. 1he Court Oh
special Sessions authority 10 send criminals ~ the
Trajectory In Westchester Magistrates can send boys
VINO dlsOledent, etc, ~ that Institution, Out ms
cannot be me when they convicted OF crime.
James H. Stewart, President Oi the Board oi Excise,
stated that since May ], 1879 5510 licenses had been
granted, fees amounting 10 S3I4,773 In the city, Of
bOth licensed and unlicensed liquor dealers there were
between :, 900 and 5000. The witness tDought the
police force would know more about the adNlsaOty Oh
granting licenses To sell liquor. An applicant WAS con-
The Commissioners knew something against iiin
might make pat payment OF the license fec when
the application made, and then sell for months with
out license, although the law forbids that license
should be granted to any one selling witouti It.
Patrick Ryan made % statement Win reference 10 the
death his UrOtler and sister upon when Capt He'd
den lad hen previously examined Ii was charged tnat
they had committed suicide, while tho heads OF botil
brother and sister were neatly cut OIL No instrument
was found in the ROOM
Tne Committee inen adjourned to meet Thursday at
IL the foot OF East Twenty s2ts, 10 Visit tho
scnUc.s.p Mercury and Hart's Island