New-York tribune., 1879-03-26
SCENES IN TIE POLICE COrRT.

Saturday, and allowed Mr.. Thompson and his
friends to go on their parole.
SCENES IN TIE POLICE COURT
Mr.. THOMPSON AND HIS FRIENDS WAIVE EXAMINA-
TIoN AND OFFER BAIL-OFPOsITION FROM MIR.
GCMBLETON's COUNSEL--IIE PRISONERS AL
LOWED TO DEPART on PAROLE UNTIL sATUR-
DAY.
There was a comparative lull about the
CITY Hall yesterday in regard to the late political move
/ meuts aud the charges against the Police COmmis-
soners The arrest Of County Clerk Thompson did not
create any excitement, because it had been
anticipated long. IL considered chiefly
important in showing the intention OF the Tammany
men "to fight t. tho bitter end
Of their number said yesterday Among the Ant-Tam-
many members of the Board Of Aldermen there was
consdr discussion TO ;hc action Of the Mayor IN
curtding Their patronage, and one or more decga-
tons held private consultations with Mr. Cooper on this
subject. The charges against the Police Commissioners
had not been sent to Albany at u. III. yesterday.
Two pOlicPmen in citizens dress entered the County
Clerks Office ahout o'clock yesterday and asked TO
see Hubert o. Thompson. who was seated at his desk
examining some legal papers. They said they had
come from the Harlem Police Court and carried in
their pockets warrants for the If Nj. Thompson,
County Clerk Thomas COstgan Supervisor of The city
Record; Edward CarksOn, antOr Ot the COUNTY Court
House, and william Cannon, Mr. Thoml sons messenger.
The warrants they said had been issued Dy Justice Duffy
IL the wish OF tie Justice that the warrants
should not he served If Mr. Thompson and tic other
gentlemen named were wiling appear the Harlem
Police Court at O'clock. Mr.. Thompsons assurance
that he and his friends would appear alone neces-
sary prevent the serving OF the warrants. Mr. ThOmp
sou ,od tho officers to convey to Justice Duffy his
thanks for this courtesy, and say that lie would be
present the place aud time mentioned. He said also
that would be responsible for the Ike appearance Of
the others named in the warrants. Tire officers departed
Immediately, and Mr. Thompson prepared 10 visit IIar
lem with his lends and his counsel, Henry L. Knox
and Charles +. MacIran.
Ruunors that ex-County Clerk Gumbleton at length
had carried out his plan OF aIresng Mr.. Thompson and
Others the forciOe entrance into the County Clerks
office last week. were soon IN circulation about the
Coanty Court House and City Hail. Whent known
that warrants had been issued by Justice Duffy,
at the Harlem Police Court, much surprise
was expressed. Some friends Of Mr.. Thompson
gave their opinion that the Justice could not
have jurisdiction in matter that had happened so far
from his district and Others said that Mr. Duffy the
only Justice ia this city who had been willing to issue
the warrants. Several politicians started for Harlem,
but they too late to the appearance OF Mr..
ThoSipson and his friends in court The party
entered the courtroom before O'clock accompanied
by their counsel aud by Sheridan Shook. Thomas
IL Ferris and John Fox, who prepared to furnish
bail TO any amount required. Mr.. GumbletOn was pres
ent also, with Edwin L. Meade and Peter Mitchell, his
counsel; Mr.. Mclaughlin, his former deputy clerk A.
J. Dowd and VI. J. McCosker the two men who were
guard N the County Clerks Office when Mr. Thompson
and his friends entered IT, Several Of his personal
friends were present. The proceedings leading to
the scene ia court had been conducted so quietly that
few other were present
Mr. Gumbleton and his counsel had visited Justice
Duffy on Monday and had made application to have the
warrants issued Justice Duly had said that he would
require tine 10 look into the law on the subject,
md that he would decide Yesterday morning
whether lie would grant tho warrants not Accord
ingly Mr. Guubleton aud Mr.. Meade appeared in
court again yesterday, when complaint was drawn mp
and subscribed TO by Mr. Gumbleton This complaint,
which was read yesterday, stated that Hubert o. Thomp-
son. Tnouas COstgaD, Edward Clarkson ana Wm Cannon
and some fifteen other persons made fOrcbe entry into
the County Clerks Office that the entry made by
Mr. Tbompsop and the others with strong hands aud
| multitude Of people," contrary to law
had issued the warrants ailiGaylts by Dowd and
| McCosAcr which were read
| DISCUSSION or THE COMPLAINT.
When the case had been opened in this manner, Mr..
Knox addressed the Court briefly in behalf OF the
cusei persons He said they desired merely to waive
an examination and were prepared to furnish bail to
| any amount required for their further appear
| ance in Court in ease the Grand jury
| should see tit to take any action In the case
Mr. Meade objected the ground that hs client had hi
teen witnesses be examined in support or the aec-
tnus The counsel for the Defendants MI Knox, thought
the taking such testimony mere waste OF time
The accused active puOhc men, ana IL was not
right thus to rttcr their time away III lac he DecFed
that al the plaintiff in this case wanted was Htte
newspaper not0rety. your Honor Said lr. KNOX
in conclusion " has issued these warrants, ana dld
| not at the tine they were drawn mp think that
ynI were Justified in your action, may Goa forgive.
scnsaton There should have been no doubts III the
mind OF the court the guilt or the prisoners Detofo
the for their arrest Lad been signed Dy your
Honor But hope that your lonor VIII no. Prosttuio
your power by entertaining this case ana mus ne iiae
car-prw OF for the gralinraton Gi tn2se VINO % ntGe
gotten NJ THIS charge. Peter alfne' ,n m1I s'oF ~
| a fiery speech in r5sp0pSc 10 tie feihiTNH OF
Mr. Knox after which Justice Dnny said be would take
time to cousl'er the pont tkcn ~ nfrr tbosa
cuscd men as to bis power 10 takt tes'Ioy ' IN '" M
accused mad waived examination before MN. ne
wuuld render his decision on thls poluI on od,uI.y
morning at ~ o'clock aud until tha' to ne p''ocu tue
IrsooerS. .,,.oo.o ,os rorso, ho,oro
Justice Morgan IN the Jewet perjury case snmc
months ago. aud Judge DJnOnuc. OF tne SUI
Bur the General Term reversed the decision OF Judge
DJnohu. and decided that no court ha thc rsht 10 III
tc.f,r. Win magistrate IN the trial 0t prisoner unl
Dc ,u stt.SH "a ~ ni,1 in or schargo him Tho pu-
lsnmrnt allowed by for the offence OF whlc tc new
County CLERK aud MS fea Stahl aeltso' - SaI yTat
IA the pcntentlary and sou une' Vi "o'N 11 '' ''
tiOu OF the Court
HOW THE OFFICE WAS SEIZED.
Thomas Costik,u one Of the defendants. in cQpvorsa
ton with TRIBUNE reporter last eVeuihS sau ''t nc
was informed shortly after o'clock IN the AFTERNOON
that warrant had been issued by Justice Duy against
bn Thinking tha he might require bail. he sent for
ex-senator Fox and Sheridan Shook, and they were Doh
In the cour, when he arrived there' was
surpriseJ" said Mr.. CostIgan, d" to hnd the
warrants returnable Harlem as, in accordance with
bylaw adopted Dy the Justices themselves. warrants
the complainant resides, although l believe
there Is nothing positively Illegal ia Hs Oelhs
tsstcd from any other court. Mr. GulnDle-
tnp the complainant. resides in the Nth As
s-mb,y District, aud the warrant should therefore
~ SorI. nom J ers0n Market Court. am told thlC
application made 10 two other Justices Tor tue war
nm but they declined to issue H. Inc complaint -
ha.r on clause IN Revised Statutes which We think
a. NOT applicable the case. The clause contenplaes
,yo men claiming the office in consequence OF
disruf.d I. ertuu We not charged VITA burglary