Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-04-19
COURT OF QUARTER SESSIONS
Beginning of the April Term

SSSsiohS, VI AtshS"StCi Couuty, cOmmenCe0
at 10 o'clock this morning, Judges Living
stop and Patterson OH the bench
After some routine business. the grand
jury was sworn, and II. G.. Book, of Stras-
burg borough, appointed foreman. They
were then charged by Judge Livingston who
instructed them in their duties in the usual
form. During his charge Judge Living:
ston stated that there were only 20 Jail
cases on the trial list, but that the alder
men and justices had, since last term, re-
turned to court 1O3 cases, the whole num-
Der of cases on the trial list being 131. The
judge also called the attention of the dis
trict attorney to the fact that the grand
jurles are frequently hindered in the pros
ecution of their duties by the absence of
witnessse when they are wanted. Some
times not single witness is present when
their names arc called, and often, after the
names Oi fifty witnesses have been called,
it is found that not 4 dozen arc present.
The district attorney should see that the
prosecutor at least is present when the bill
is presented to the grand jury. The charge
was concluded as follows regarding the
duty of the grand jury in visiting the pub
lie institutions supported by the tax
payers:
We direct you to, and the law is that
you shall. make a complete and thorough
investigation Of their management, take
your time, and do your work thoroughly,
and make such report as We may safely
rely on as correct. And before proceeding
to the prison, it will be well for you to en-
anime the late report of the county audi
tors, and the report of prison inspectors.
And. when at the prison, call for and ex-
anime their rules and regulations. En-
anime particularly, the stock on hand, re-
ierrcd to in the report of inspectors. The
amount returned appears to us to be unu-
sually large, for the quantity of stock to
be seen on visiting the prison, and it does
appear to us, it must be valued ut fabulous
prices. Ask to see it, and report your jutg-
ment us to its values and condition. AS
certain also from the officers and inspec-
tors whether any attempt is made to carry
out the provision of the law and rules of the
prison with reference to persons sentenced
to- separate and solitary confinement at
labor, and report the greatest liberties
which have been given to any of them thus
sentenced. Ascertain also, whether the
rules and regulations of the prison are ad-
hercd to, in reference to persons visiting
this class of prisoners, and whether there
are not in prison to-day, and have not been
through the entire winter, many persnnS
even hundreds, who are vaSrants and who
under the law, should have been sent to
the wOrkhouse Instead of the prison. or
course, it would not be quite as profitable
to the aldermen and magistrates, to send
them to the workhOuse, but the people you
represent have right to know VIII, tier
they should not have been sent to the
wOrkhOuse instead of an Over-crOw(lcd pri-
son, and to require officers to labor for
public good rather than their own gain. If
you find these facts to be 50. it may lie rs
well to remind those officials through youi
report that they have failed in the per-
fUrmamce of their duty in this behalf. be-
cause if they send them to Jail for five or
ten days, as soon as they get out our un-
wearying Gin this respect) police immetli-
ately convey them, evon from the door of
unlicensed grOg shop, where they are
speedily prepared for re-arrcst, to the al
derman or justice, who again sends them
to Jail for five or ten days, and thus secures
double or treble costs, and the vagranti lives
at his ease instead Of earning his food by
breaking stone for the county. While the
unlicensed grOggery is permitted by the
police to remain open and unreturned, it is
in no danger, it manufactures too many
votes i'll favor of that class of police ot:t-
GERS and furnishes too many Cases Of profit
for them to he mOlested by them.
In Jour visit to the almshouse and hos
pital examine them thoroughly. Examine
the farm, soc if it is properly managed and
farmed, the labor of those supported there
utilized properly whether there is as much
produced on this fine farm as should be
whether the inmates are probably cared
for, and whether the officers are vigilant,
C clreful and economical in the performance
of their duties.
The cOnstables of the several wards and
townships were sworn and made their
quarterly returns. The newly elected
were then sworn into office.
Com'th VS.. Benjamin G. Biehl, felonious
assault and battery on Claude Butler, OH
the 23d of November last, at Trewitz's s:-
loon, Locust street, this city.
w. X. Adams, policeman Of the Sixth
ward, testified that he was prosecutor in
the case. He saw nothing of the fight in
Locust street, but was called to quell
that grew out of it at the
corner of Orange and Plum streets.
Claude Butler testified that he and some
friends went to the "check house"
,Trewitz's) and had two glasses of beer.
4 man named Biehl struck him. Butler
defended himself and Biehl hallOed.
enough; as soon as he got up he.
struck witness again and was again,
whipped and hallOed enough y:,itt-
ness, McAleer and others then left the
building, and while in the yard adjoining
ne was followed by Biehl and others, ant:
5iehl cut him with a razor, scveripg a
oart of his right ear and slashing his nose
md head. 1.-THE sears of the wounds were
hOwn.
Michael Pennington testified that he
vas present at the disturbance, which was
by Biehl witness corroborated
Buffers testimony, and swOre that he saw
'iehl cut Butler with razor.
Thos. Kelly saw only the first round;'
3iehl struck the first blow did not see
he fight in the yard.
Harry McAleer saw the first round
n the barroom did not see the fight in
he yard.
The grand jury returned to court the
ollowing
True BiUs.-Henry Wright, Geo. Ream,
ohm hochel, Pierce FlOry, Jerry Hast
ngs, all for fOrnication and bastardy.
OBITUARY..