The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-04
JAMAICA POLICE JUSTICES.
UGLY TESTIMONY RELATIVE TO THE MIsAPPno
PRIATIoN OF FINES SOME FACTS REQUIRING
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. BELONGING TO THU

UGLY TESTIMONY RELATIVE TO THE MIsApPno.
PRIATIox OF ZINES SOME FACTS REQUIRING
TRANSFORMATIONS BELONGING TO THU
COURT VANISH MYsrEnIoUsLY.
Ex-Judge Elias j. Beach sat again the Town Hall,
in jamaica yesterday, referee to take testimony n
relation charges against George r. Bennett and
Henry s Lott justices OF the peace of that town At
the sitting week the prosecution closed their case
agains, Justice Lott and it arranged that they
shou' go with the against Justice Bennett be-
fore taking any OF the defensive evidence for either OF
the accused. Messrs. Cogswe and FLEMING appeared
yesterday for the prosecution, having charge Of the
behalf OF the Farmers Protective Union OF
jamaica aud General Crooke for Justice Bennett
County Treasurer CARL was called for the purpose Of
proving that Justice Bennett had not paid 10 him
the full amount Of the fines received General Crooks
thought that the charge should be male specific and
not general. but It appeared that the books did mol
show specific amounts There had aggregate
OF sl3s paid between October !, 1875, and
January 81. 1915, in four different payments
James Darcy, the Deputy County Clerk, was called
to testify Benefits Of office and the records
OF conviction Med in the Clerks Office There
such records in OF tho people against Charles
Peterson assault and battcryonc dated the 10Th OF
May 1875 fine $40. and the other on June ., 1875
no entered the com plainant being the IN each
been only ono and that Bennett wrongully
charged for two, besides unlawrIly reducing tho tno
from SO $40 There was no record OF conviction Ia
the On Of people against Susan Dobson and the
against Jane DIX, tor larceny 1t was the pur.
pose OF the prosecution To that not only was there
no rec ord OF these cases. but that they had been
char gcd for by the Justice on both the county and tho
town bill--doublo fees &c. The direct testimony IN
these cases. however was not introduced until later
the proceedings
Charles E. Johnson, Of No % henry street, Brook.
lyn, tailor, testified that he and his brother, D. a.
Johnson, shoemaker, were IN jamaica some Lime IN
July, two years ago and they were arrested by COLI
stable while standing at corner waiting for a horse
car they we're taken 10 Justice Benefits Office; he
had gun, watch, gold ring and n powder horn;
his brother had gun and shot bag: the officer took
the guns away and tho justice said the fine for bath
$50; he lett his watch as security for the hno,
and they were going away when as they passing
through the the officer the brothers. shot bag
and took IT. he then locked both in cell until tho
next morning when Justice Bonnctt came to the cell
asked If they wanted trial; they said Eyes" they
again taken into the JUSTICES soicc, when no
again told them that the hne was $50; witness took
of his gold ring gave 1t TO the Justice and then asked
II he could and the Justice said yes; when the OIL
Ger took the guns 1t was IN Benefits presence Alter
ward friend named sam Dunn went to Jamaica 10 got
reduction OF the nc and he saw the Justice and talked
with him. the result being that the Justice promised
that the Johnsons could get their things back upon
payment OF $50; witness subsequently went again to
sec the Justice and told him he wanted his things, but
tho Justice told him he could not give them up as tho
said he wanted 500 and the Justice said he wanted So
making S25 in ALL the officer SAID he could not get tho
gun, it loaned to somebody's witness did not get
his property and the Justice has given back tho
watch he promised 10 inform Witness wlen the
gun returned hut has never done so; upon being
arrested he and his brother gave fictitious names
General Crooke examined the witccss without
shaking his evidence in any material point
David kctcham gave evidence that james Houston
was let out of prison without trial. on March g. 1873
He had been charged with stealing rope
Peter Brown corroboratcd the testimony OF the pro-
vicus witness.
John H. BrnckerhoT Supervisor of tho town Of
jamaica, identified both tho county and town bills OF
Justice Bennett tor 1875 as having been duly audited
and paid; he found the charges fer the Dobson and
O atcrWaru
that II appeared the town bill by mistake; there
was charge on the town bill in the case OF James
Hueston above mentioned, and IN tho case
of Tho People against Charles Peterson; also in the
caseo Peter smith, for petit larceny the allegation OF
tho prosecution being that in all these cases ees had
been charged where services had not been rendered
Upon cross-examina.on Mr.. Brinckerhph examining
the rd) said that tho total OF tho town bill as
scented 1878 50; audited at $500 05, but ac
cording 10 the certificate of the Town Clerk only
SSG5 s5 paid, showing that 50 20 bad been de-
Quoted, and 1t found that this was the amount Of
the fees and charges in tho cases OF Dobson ana Dick
seeming that these cases had been voluntarily
taken OF the bli witness had talked with JUS
tce Bennett about his criminal business and he reco-
ectcd in the Peterson there was some induce
mcnt a reduction OF the fine; the nne as previously
explained was reduced from $50 TO $40
General Crookc-What were tue reasons which in
duccd the reduction OF inner
Mr.. Flemlng-Don't answer.
Judge Beach FIRST inclined to exclude the qucs-
ton hut when he found that tho allie CATION oi reduction
had been made and answered IN the pcadings he
admitted It,
Witness then stated that Pctersons father lying
tho point OF death II would be great hardship
compel him 10 pay the fine for his son, and Justice
Bennett consulted with him before deciding to make
the reduction. IL also appeared That 81 only Of the
fine paid by Peterson the other 81 coming out Of
Justice Bcnnet's own pocket
Justice Bennett placed on the stand, and asked
produce his papers relating to the OF Dobson
and DIX Peterson ana Hucs,on, but no said no could
do So because they, with other articles,
stolen from his Office in November last, some time
before these proceedings were commenced.
Chaunchcy Edwards, OF J9maica testified that ho
made the complaint against Peterson Tor assault aud
battery OF Henry Jackson Peterson was fined $50 in
default go TO jail for three months; he made only
complaints both complaints 1t appears, are or
record as having been made by Edwards.
BY Mr.. Flcming-lf you made more than one com.
plant since the LIST Of November, 1875 you would
member It,
Objected to- but allowed
A. Yes.
Cross-cxamlned by General Crookc:-Edwards swors
that he had never made complaint against any
in a criminal without signing II. The defence will
attempt TO show that he did make second complaint
against Peterson, although he positive that he did
Next in order before tho referee Is the defence OF
Justice Lott, which will be followed Thursday rcxt
by defence OF Justice Bennett Judge Beach is to
submit all the testimony 10 the General Term without
opinion.