The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-10

THE LAW NO RECUSAST WITSEsSEs-TE-
DIcTmENrs By THE GRAND JURY, &c.
| Persons moving alongtthe streets in GER
tain localities OF tue city at q late hour hon-
| day night had their attention attracted by
an unusual stir among class OF our citl-
zens who as q rule are rarely seen upon the
street after dark. inaslnuch as their ayoca-
! ton is Of such a character that darkness is
| far better suited to its carrying on than the
broad light OF day. The various houses oc-
cupied by these gentry were closed, and no
aIluring light shone invitingly for the
hdbituES Of these places. Inquiry into
the cause OF this singular state of affairs
developed the fact that the .ss Knights Of the
Green Cloth" had received information,
from what they deemed sufficiently author
native sources, that
DANGER THREATENED THEM
danger which all Of them dreaded, and
| which they must shun. The information
thus received was to the effect that the
names or q large number OF persons were in
the hands of the officers OF the Hastings
Court, with orders to summon said persons
before the grand jury TO testify as to their
! knowledge Of violations of the States stat
| utes agains: gambling in its various phases.
as most os these names were known to the
sports, they were satisfied that some Of the
parties summoned could give most damag-
| ing testimony against the fraternity; hence
| the unusual stir and futter alludedto. Be-
tween the hours OF IL and II Of the night
mentioned, several groups OF sports could
be seen in the neighborhood OF their various
dens in earnest and excited conversation,
carried on, however, in the most guarded
tones; others were fastening hither and
thither, in couples and trios, apparently
! bent on important business, while a few re-
| mained quiet, seemingly determined to take
matters cooly and await further develop
| ments.
SPORTS on THE WING.
| The result Of all these movements culmina-
| ted Yesterday by the sudden exodus from
the city Of a number Of the best known OF
these gentry, who, deeming 8 tsdiscretion the
better part OF valor," or, rather, that rail-
roading and a temporary .banishment were
! better than taking $heir chances before the
| new Judge Of the Hastings Court, with q
summer term in the Valley Inn in prospect,
were taking their departures for g fields
new and pastures green"
| AwTHE CITY HALL.
That the information as to the move
ments OF the court officers was in the main
correct. and that the involuntary self-ban-
ishment OF the sports was well-timed, is
I fully shown by the action '0f the grand jury
yesterday. At noon, the hour of meeting
of that body, the vicinity o1 the court and
granu-jury rooms was crowded with per-
sons in attendance as witnesses, spectators,
&C., and much interest was manifested in
| the proceedings OF the court. Among those
| hor n7 w
been summoned to testify inthe cases above
| referred to. The list Of names OF witnesses
in the various eases before the court being
called, those whe answered were sent to the
grand iury to give in their testimony.
REcUsANT WITNESSES.
During the session of the grand jury the
foreman reported to the Court that wit
ness t3lr. r. Burgess) had declined to testify,
on the ground that he might criminate him
self. Judge Christian warned the witness
that he must testify.
Subsequently Messrs. N. Davis and Bur-
CESS went before the grand jury and de-
clined to testify. The Court was again in
formed OF the refusal of these witnesses TO
give evidence, and notified them that he
would be compelled to enforce the statute,
which he read as follows, from chapter 195
Of the Code, section 20:
THE LAM.
"No person prosecuted for unlawful
gaming shall be competent to testify against
| a witness for the Commonwealth IN sucn
prosecution touching any unlawful Sanhng
committed by him prior to the commence
ment OF such prosecution; nor shall any
witness giving evidence either before the
grand Jury or the court in such prosecu-
|
offence of unlawful gaming committed by
him at the time and place indicated in such
prosecution: but such witness shall he COM
pelcd to testify. and for refusing to answer
questions may, by the Court, be fined sum
not exceeding $500, and be imprisoned for
term not exceeding six months"
THE WITNESSES WILLING.
After the Judge finished reading the sec
ton, Mr. Davis told the Judge that II he
would permit him to do so he would 60
before the grand jury.
The Judge granted the request.
Mr.. Burgess, still declining to answer,
the Court imposed upon him fine OF $3.50
for the contempt, and placed him lnthe Gus
tody Of the Sergeant for three months.
Mr.. Burgess consulted counsel, and after
the lapse OF 4 few minutes explained to the
Judge that he had been informed that ii he
testified he might criminate himself, hence
his refusal. Since then he had been told
that he would not criminate himself, and as
sured the Court that not the slightest con-
tempt was intended, but he merely desired
to protect himself; that he had already as
sured lne grand jury that no contempt was
intended, and that il he would not render
himself liable, he would, with the consent
of the Court, 90 before the grand jury and
give evidence.
The Court being satisfied that no con-
tempt was intended, permitted the witness
to 90 before the grand jury and remltted
the penalties he had imposed.
TIE PREsENTMENTs.
Just before the court adjourned the grand
Jury came into court, and the foreman gave
the Commonwealth's Attorney list OF per-
sons against whom prcsentmentS had Deen
found for gaming. The names, however,
have not yet been made matter OF record.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE GRAND JURY JESTER
DAY. The grand Jury met yesterday, and
found true bills for felony in the following
gases;
Peter Epps, fol. assau'ting and stabbing
Della Reed.
Isaiah Gregory, for breaking and enter
ing the tobacco factory OF Hardgroye O 20.
and stealing a lot OF chewing and smoking
tobacco.
G. A. Reinhardt, for shooting John Flick
with gun, &c. d,
Martha Scott, for stealing q bag contain.
ing certain papers in cbancery suits from
Colonel John B. YounS's buggy. Louisa