The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-05-27
REPEATING MS PULPIT CRITICISM.
DIR. Buckley Arrnigning Brooklyn Onicers OF
Justice nnd Defying sIander suits.

The audience in the Hanson Place Meth
odist Church Brooklyn. last evening. filed
every pew and occupied the broad aisles. II
had been pretty generally circulated that the
pastor. the Rcv. Dr. J. NJ. Buckley. was
10 again refer to District Attorney Catln
and his management of the shooting case in
which Charles T.. johnson. son Of Mr.. Charles
Johnson Of the Ninth egenue stage line. at
tempted 10 kill his wife in Brooklyn. some time
ago. Mavor Howell. Cen Henry W. Slocum.
Alderman John French. and City Treasurer
Mayo Little were among the audience. and not
a few politicians Of lesser light.
After concluding his sermon. DR.. Buckley re-
marked that last sunday even ing he had spoken
at some length unon the influences which tho
irregularity and uncertainty of the administra-
tion OF Justice had. especially on the young. In
celebrating his subject he had touched upon
recent tragedy in high life circumstance Tor
which he was in no way responsible had given
wide publicity TO his remarks
My words on that OCCASION said Dr. Buckley,
" were premeliAted and carefully chosen. and.
contrary TO my usual custom. wore committed
to memory. | must say that If after twenty
years Of public life. SIX 81 which We're spent in
this city. and after considerable thought as To
the proper spheres OF morals and religion. am
not able to discriminate Legitimate criticism
from SANDER. | ought 10 be taught nj the public
expense or by bel ng made to pay exemplary
damages. My place OF residenee is, well
known. and there Is no reason why delay should
attend the service of papers upon me. If. how
ever we'll intended, my remarks have done in
justice to any one. manhood would compel me
10 retract them or apologize; but II, after ma
ture deliberntion, | nm confirmed ~ them.
Dr. buckley then detailed the circumstances
Of the shooting and the dates on which the
prisoner was proughtp up for trial and remqnd-
ed, He referred to the soictous cnre which
seemed to be felt by Johnsons relatives. an
shared in by some officials. concerninG his
mental and bodily health. Nov II my stric-
added
ofliclal criticised, propriety and dignity would
have directed that he should rely, on the good
sense of the press the har, the public and the is
sues of events for yindcaton. But he had seen III
to address the public in card. His references
to haste as to heat. and ure OF no value IN de-
torminng the issue. As an excuse Tor the cN-
traordinary delay in bringing johnson 10 tra
IL is said that the shot could not be proved with
out Mrs. Johnson's evidence. The shot was
heard, the pistol was found in his hand, and he
acknowledged the net. Was her testimony es-
sential to prove the factf But, If II was, and is
what has the District Attorney doneW
The Clergyman then read the law, and read
the passage specifying that when person in
confinement except ON eivll process II sus-
pectcd of insanity. an investigation should be
made hy the county Judge. THIS law has been
dsregarded. An eminent physicitu in TINS
city has visited Johnson twelve times, and
he never saw any symptoms ot insanity
in him. | have learned from three respectable
sources that lnstead uf being in u cell and close
y watched, Johnson rides. ana has for WeeNs.
IA Central Park. on the boulevard. ald even on
Firth avenue, and last and worst, the District
Attorney over his own signature AVON his be-
lief that johnson is insane. thus disqualiiyng
him from further prosecuting the cnse. No
proceeding was ever calculated TO moro com
plotcy throw dust in the eyes ~ the people than
the impanelling OF the SheriirS Jury Yesterday
who declared Johnson insane. The state was not
represented there was no crOss-eNa'ninatiun
OF witnesses. Who but an idiot could not look
stupid when he had so much to gain 10y il. and
so much TO lose by appearing sane2 Ii the
prisoner had been the son Of n poor and un-
known man. the proneediinSs of Yesterday would
| hnf lnfa IN i'm IN "A hanp
| no money to raise the issue, and no delays in
| the examination. | repeat that no legal inquiry
| in view of the criminal character Of this act OF
| Johnson's has been made as to the question OF
| his sanity or insanity This case has not been
| dealt with as il would have been II the person
| involved had been obscure and without money
| and influence.