The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-11
BOOKSELLERS INDICTED.
AN OBSTINATE GRAND JURY BROUGHT TO
TERMS IN JERSEY CITY.

AN OBSTINATE GRAND JURY BROUGHT TO
TERMS IN JERSEY CITY.
In the Court Of Oyer and Tsrminer, At Jersey City,
a spectacle witnessed yesterday that will
be forgotten. A week ago Judge Knapp refused to
discharge the Grand Jury, had indicted the
booksellers Hoboken and had thus disregardcd tho
charge of the Court Another week was gwen the
Grand Jury to comply with the instructions OF tho
Court Instead of retiring deliberate The Of
the booksellers the Grand Jury adjourned imm edlsely
and paid iurtner attention to the matter. Al the
hour appointed for appearing in court yesterday
Quorum present. yet the Court waited patiently
iii half past eleven when sheriff Laverty directed
to bring The Grand Jury into court Three members
were stl absent The Court excused ono and imposed
q fine OF S25 each on two others
shave thing 70 offer the Court In the way OF
The foreman, James r. Merccln-No, Your Honor
Judge Knapp looked indignant; then turning to the
Associate Justice brief consultation took place,
aiter which he said Tho Court was very much disap-
pointed and would not discharge the Grand Jury He
then added:-"We cannot close our eyes 10 the TACT
that business not performed by you winch II
Is pan ,S Ss ou 70 nas % 80
violate our duty IN dischargng you. Abc finding Of
bill where the crime Is established and the evidence
undisputea, as in this Case 10 not question oil DIS
cretlO on plain duty just as much 1t 10 the
duty Of TINS Court 70 declare the law"
me foreman here asked Tor instructions as to what
was the duty OF the Grand Jury under the law, to
which Judge Knapp repliod:-
ssYour duty IS to take the law given you by tho
Court i'm liciLly ana without cavi. just much
the petit jury The law in regard To tho booksellers
has decided by the highest court IN the State SO
there DO question about the law; and facts
admitted. The law and the facts beng clear, your
simple duty Is to act and II Is lint orant II we are in
this county to have proper observance OF our laws
and obedience TO them 1t Is necessary Tor the pro-
lection Of society," for the saety our citizens, who
have u right to demand their enforcement by the
Court and fraud Jury Your only question is whether
the lacLs such as are declared by our Supreme Court
to be crime, are established II they are your plain
duly indct, and In this the facts admit
ted and undisputed."
The foreman then asked II the jury had the right to
question the finding OF bill from the TACT that the
booksellers closed thor places OF business, aud
| Judge Knapp answered :-"None whatever nat
touches simply the question Of punishment but does
affect tho question Of finding BILL" member OF
the jury asked II the Court intended to keep the
jury III "a bal was found, and Judge Knapp replied,
| with emphasis, "rnat is our purpose.n
The jurors then looked NJ each other and asked
leave retire. Alter hall an hours delocration they
returned INTO and the foreman handed in
bills OF Indictment against tbs booksellers Az the
quest oil the foreman the hnss imposed the absent
jurors were remitted and the Grand Jury dis
charged tor the Term.