New-York tribune., 1877-06-14
GENET TRYING TO COMPROMISE.


CUsToDY-IN HIDING NEAR POLICE HEADouAR-
TIERS FOR MONTus-"HANK" SMITHS VALUABLE
FRIEN ENDsIIIP-GEHHr'S VISITS TO THR CITY.
Henry w. Genet has been in this city within
n few weeks endetvoring to have the proceedings
against him COMPROMISED. that lie avoid term
of imprisonment 10y making restitution 10 the city for
the fraudulent bills paid account If the
Ninth District Courthouse. II viii he rcrnem-
beIed that he convicted Dee 10, 1873, in the
Court OF Oyer and Tcrmner. Judge Daniels presiding,
for obtaining the signature OF Mayor Han te city war
rant for ~ s02 in favor OF J. Mcbride Davidson, by
representing that the bin for iron work aud other
materials for this Cot-housc which the warrant
obtained had been supplied by Davidson. when IN fact
tie bill was fcttoas. Upon lis conviction the court
ordered that he stand committed 20 the Warden OF
the City Prison. aud he placed in charre of the
Sheriff from whose deputy, Shicls he escaped on sunday
night Dee 2l while or q visi 20 Lis house in Yorkyie.
It has been generally supposed that Genet would be
obi ged to serve q. least short the State Prison
before he could released and settlement made with
HIM But an examination OF the law under which he was
convicted shows that il is still in tie power Of tie Court
to order his release without imprisonment on the payment
of Aue. The penalty his crime is stated
the Revised statutes See. 30. Page 800. 81 vol.
Fifth edition. as follows: Imprisonment not exceeding
three years the state Prsou, in the County jail not
exceeding one year, by a fine not exceeding ;hree
times tho value OF the money, property or thing so OBJ
taned, or by both such fine ana imprisonment" The
words County jail in the law peniiensary and
have always been construed.
Two ways on for the prosecution to consent TO an
arrangement for Gne.s release lie can surrender him
self to the court and receive such sentence may be
imposed aud by consent Of counsel writ of error with
stay OF prooeens may I've granted by Judge of the
Supreme Court with understanding between tie per-
sons concerned that settlement viii he agreed to- Tie
second mode. which It will he seen al once
~ the one most TO be desired by the prisoner
is by an agreement the part OF the
counsel. with the sanction Of the court, to impose
fac under the laws greater thaH tree times the
amount OF the money fraudulcny obtained That would
got the conviction out OF the way and there would
remain only the disposition oi The 0ticE charge against
Genet, which would involve admission az 10 his fu
share Of the moneys stolen from the CITY Treasury and
the acceptance o. such the attorneys for the
pcople might 30 persuaded "a take In settlement.
Genet's friends claim that he Is poor poor TO make
restitution from his own means His house III Harlem
which lie built ont tho Ninth District Courthouse ma
tcrals 10 rival Connolys has been sold 10 satisfy the
claim Of the Charlic estate, Police Commissioner Oliver
Charlick having been on Genets bail bond, which
was forfeited. The house in which Gcncts wife
lives at Yorkyille is mortsagei, ana there IS
little doubt that his extravaganza and his care
leas habits in money matters left him very
little when he rGu away from the prospective sentence
OF the court Genet was great favorIe at Police Head
quarters while Hank Smith and Oliver CharlicE
Commissioners. Smith President 0t the Board, and
was of much assistance 10 Genet when H. was cand
date for Assembly IN 1873 Genet, against the
advice Of many Of his friends, persisted in
running for the Assembly. With the aid OF the
polico and tho Ring edherents in his district
he was successful only find himself as had been pre-
dic,ed IN the hands Of the law. aud finally fugitive
from Justice when the Legislature met 10 which he had
been elected President Smiths friendship for Genet
was well known I'm tho Police Department, and when
Genet escaped was understood by every member
of the force that policemen not expected TO 20
ont Of tile way to find him. II was not
difficult under that administration 10 discover
retext for getting rid of oDnONoIs police official
patroman and the detectives sought in every direction
except the night 10 Law hands on Genet. He was
kept in hiding within u stones throw Of Police Head
quarters for nearly three months. cambinghousc
known 10 the police. and protected from capture by
President smith. who occasionally saw him and helped
him with money lie left this city quietly and lodged with
y small ward politician formerly ~ this city, who had
retired 10 the interior ~ the state, 70 small town,
where hs kept public hOuse From time Ia time Genet
Las visited this city. and hs hiding place. a the present
time within ten mcs from the CITY Hall, II known to
his friends and advisers, who trying 10 get him out
of hts troubles II Is no longer secret that his friends
have offered subscribe the money for lie release II
compromise Can be made