The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-02-18
IN HOT WATER.
EXCISE COMMISSIONERS MORRISON AND MEnKIE


INDICTED BY THE GRAND JURY.
Excise Commissioners Morrison and Merkle were
two months ago held by Justice Kilbreth, in Essex
Market Police Court. in $1,000 to await the action OF
the Grand Jury on charges of misdemeanor in their
official capacity. The Society for the Prevention OF
Crime have for some time been endeav-
orng to file bill with tho Grand
Jury against the Commissioners. but have always
been unsuccessful until yesterday. when the Grand
Jury ordered indictments against Messrs. Morrison
and Merkle. The charge that Counsel Whitney. at
torney for the society. makes against the Commits
sioncrs is msdemeanor in Office in granting license
to Byrnes & White Of West Houston street. whose
establishment il alleged did not possess the re-
quirements of q hotel defined by the law. and
whose characters had not been sufficiently investi-
gated before granting q license.
COMMISSIONER MoRRIsoSs VIEWS.
A reporter last evening called upon Commissioners
Morrison. who was quite outspoken in his expression
of opinion regarding the course pursued by the
Society for the Prevention of Crime 1t was to their
fanatcism he said that the action OF the Grand Jury
was due. He felt positive, too. that that body had
not fairly considered his position and that of
his associate before passing adversely upon them.
That just presentment of their case would effect
change of opinion he did not doubt, and he said he
could not be much surprised at the indictment. as he
knew the Grand Jury had heard but side Of tho
case The pertinacity OF the society in urging the
tagonism to the Commissioners themselves.
but was simply movement to test the
law Of 1857. which they have long sought
to have legally adjudicatcd. 1.-THE Society for
the Prevention OF Crime, he said desired to pre-
vent. matter what their professions may he. all
licensed liqnor selling. 1t was with this idea that
couple of months since, they went before Justice
Kilbreth. man imbued with their own
ideas, to procure decision favorable to their
views. They would not 90 before police justices
generally, but selected man who entertans extreme
opinions similar to their own. There can be no
question to the rcsult-the law and facts are ia
vorable to us. We took every prccaution to as
certain that tho law was complied with
in this Of Mcssrs. Byrnes White,
and have no hesitation in declaring my confidence
in prompt acquittal aud dismissal when the other
side Of the story s told the Grand Jury. Counsel
Whitney has been almost every month since we have
been in Office knocking at the doors of tho Grand
Jury room to procure our indictment, but in re-
peated instances the Grand Jury have thrown out
the bills"
DR.. MEnKLE's VIEWS.
DR.. Mcrkle, who was found at his residence in
Fifty second street late last evening. said:"Wcll
I'm not sorry that the matter will now be decided.
for we have always been in hot water; but did not
expect this action from the Grand Jury. We have
done our duty and always acted conscientously in
Its performance. and have doubt that when our
side of the story is told to the Grand Jury will be
entirely exonerated from all blame"