New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-10-23
JOSEPH A. BLAIR ACQUITTED.

SCENES IN COURT AFTER THE VERDICT
THE PRISONER FALLS Ov HIS --ExCITEMENT
OF The SPECTATORS JUDGE DEPUE's DIS
PLEASURE.
there seemed 70 be more interest than ever yes
terday morning in the issue Of the BLAIR trial AZ
Newark. Before o'clock the Courtroom began to
III with expectant throng, and az Dalf-past
o'clock 10 was crowded 70 It's utmost capacity. Il
was understood thar Judge Depue had resolved to
discharge the jury in verdict was reached.
and this expectation drew hundreds to the vicinity
of the Court House At Q o'clock Mr. Blair arrived
from the JAIL and az 10 O'CLOCK Judges Dcpue and
Meeker appeared. At haf-past 10 O'Clock the
Judges took their seats and the Court Csier was
directed to open court by Judge Depue, who then
sent for Deputy Sheriff Davis and directed him 10
inform the jury that the court in session and
would receive any communication it desired 70
make. The Deputy sheriff returned from the jury
room and announced that the jury would report IN
short time.
Judge Depue remarked that he would wait only
reasonable length Of tiue, bur there was n long in
terya 4 waiting. The Prosecutor and Judge
Ellsworth were ~ their places and most of the wit
nesses and the personal friends OF the Bairs were
present. At 1885 q. III. Judge DeDue tapped with
bis mallet. and the spectators were hushed. Judge
Depue sid, Let the jurors come and lst q space
partly cleared Ly tao Sheriff 8lr. Blair and bis
wife took seats near where the Prosecutor usually
sits. The prisoners face looked pale aud anxious
lie was dressed DO "a dark gray suit Mrs. b.air.who
was alfred In deep black looked deatlly pale.
ihe jurors then appeared az one of rhe side doors
Foreman Doremus 40 The head They looked worn
and sleepy and walked with bowed heads 20 the
place assigned them. The dead silence was broken
5y the voice Il the Judge:
Let the jury be called
Tie Comfy Clerk called the names, and then
ordered Oh prisoner 70 stand mp. Blair 70 his
feet. Ar.er the usual preliminary formula, the
Clerk put tie question.
DO you find the prisoner guilty or not guilty in
the manner and form - be stands charged
"Not guilty." answered the foreman.
Instantly burst Of applause broke from the lips
81 the audience. ard scene II eX element followed.
BLAIR uttered a cry and fell upon MS knees Qis
counsel, Judge Ellsworth. rested Blars head
upoN L.s breast. lAe acquitted mans whole form
shook wl,l violent emou p. Mrs. Blair wept
freely, and Jud-e Ellsworth profoundly aI-
fected. he ladies' present cried and laughed by
turns, and waved their ldudkcrclicf-. Every body
IN the Courtroom was more or less affected, and
tears STOOD lu tie eyes even of the Jurymeu.
Judge I-pur raped lot order until the head of
bis mallet came of. He showed great di-Deasure
al the breach Of decorum ln the court, and sad
when order was nlally res OreH thar tine Court
would not permit this disorder, and chat fle meme
bers of the Bar whom ne bad observed appaudiug
must remain until after the jury bad rei red. The
bar was then cleared OF all persons except lawyers.
judge Depue sand that the Court could not
withhold 10 thanks 20 the jury for tle
patience IL had shown, and the evident
desire ~ lis members % come 90 decision.
tie then formally discharged the jury, who retired
tie Grand jury room, ANA half nOur afteTwara
PASSED ont 10 their homes. Judge Ellsworth tAeu
requested the formal rule ~ discharge FOR the prs
Ouer and the County Clerk Vas directed % draw
10 Up. Alr. I)rrer. Who has been one Of tho most
Jealous friends of Blair since lis arrest, tie
first tO gratulate MN, and others followed until
lie was surrounded by q syupatAiZIng tlgOng.
Az q after past l O'Clock Blair and ms WIFE,
Judge Ellsworth aud q friend Of Blairs entered
close carnage and were driven 10 Blalrs home ~
MOnfclalr Less than 100 persons were about
rhe Court House when the carriage drove Of, but
nothing imp asaut occurred. Constable Jones ac-
cCIupaul-u tie party 20 Montcldlr In order 20 De
present OF any emergency there. 10 l. stated
that previous Co agreement the jury stood ten for
acquittai and twO Tor conviction Tor mansIau ghter.
The jury out ninety--lx hours.
After The Jury wa- discharged Judge Depue sam
mOned the younger members OF the Bar ana CEN
sured them severely tor applauding. The nervous
condition Of Mr.. Blair Is such a. To require long
rest.
The news OF the acquittal of Mr. Blair, the former
pawn teller Of the Mechanics National Bank,
received with satisfaction by hls former comrades
and the officers Of the bank No action IN regard 10
restoring HIM % his former position has been taken
by the bank officers. The vacancy has been filled
by promotion but this fact, II Is said, viii not
prevent hls taking this position again II the dlrec
tors decide ~ his favor. Great sympathy for him
was expressed yesterday at the bank. Among those
who called al the bank was Nh STUART, witness at
the inquest, II whose employ Armstrong had been
for a short time He spoke strongly III praise Of the
lurys verdict. President Sherman SAID that he
could not fOretcl what action the directors Of the
bank would take. " | an only lOurneyman here
myself" le said, and / should LOT attempt 10
advisD some of our old gentlemen OF the board.
have lot heard them express an opinion IN the
fuaffrrN