New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-11-24

THE ACOUITTAL OF JESSIE MAILLARD.
The result of the trial of Jessie Maillard
should lead Mr.. McKeon to consider whether
some changes are not needed in his Office.
When the list of his assistants was first made
public there was feeling OF bitter disap-
pointment among all who had hoped that
the new District Attorney would select
the best men for the important posi-
tons in his gift without regard to
the claims of faction. Some Of the lawyers
who were chosen have never held a high
place in the esteem of their fellOw-citizens. If
they have made any gain in that regard since
they entered upon the enjoyment OF Office 1t
has escaped notice. Mr.. McKeOn himself has
received good deal of praise for his vigorous
campaign against the gamblers and lottery
dealers This he has fully deserved. Not
for many years, certainly, and probably not at
any time since the peaceful period before the
war. have rogues and sharpers been so ham,
pered in their trade of fleeing the
simple and unwary. For months the
chief gambling dens of tho city have
been dark and silent. Before Mr. McKeon's
crusade there was hardly any pretence OF con-
cealment III carrying on their illegal business.
Now what gambling is done in the city goes on
in secret and sneaking way, with the most vigil
liant precautions against surprise. This Is no
small thing for the District AttOmey to ac-
complish. But while he has done so much out
side has he been equally careful to keep his
Office clean
Only the most extreme of Democratic parti-
sans could find apology or excuse for the way
in which that Office was used in the recent
Il; "A
news and clerks were permitted to give out
startling stories of immense Republican frauds
in registration, the evidence of which existed
only in their fertile imaginations. Reporters
were allowed to copy papers which only the
Grand Jury had any right in law or equity to
see until indictments had been found, and in
other WAYS .the resources of the Office were
peryerted to the unjust advantage of the
Democratic party. Mr.. McKeOn may have
authorized none of these things. But what
steps did he take to discourage them1
The manner in which an Indictment was
procured against Jessie Maillard and the
methods of the prosecution, both before and
during the trial, have brought contempt upon
those responsible for the proceedings. The
evidence against her had been considered by
",
found. I he complainant, whose baseness and ma
Lightly were perfectly well known, succeeded by
some means in enlistiDg the hearty cOOpera-
of Assistant District-Attoney Brady in the
effort TO send his wretched victim to prison.
The testimony in the trial, which ended yes
terday In the acquittal of the accused girl,
showed how unsparing were the efforts to COM
plete the degradation into which the COM
plainant had plunged her. AS was well said
by the counsel for the defence, this was a per.
secution, not prosecution. The sums of the
city were ransacked for witnesses, and persons
of the vilest character were put on the stand
to bolster up the case. A witness whose life
was one of shame was allowed to 90 about
the city to places of amusement with private
detective who was in the pay of the complain
ant and to spend the night ut his Office. All
the ordinary restraints of decency and fair
dealing were broken down. The District
Attorneys assistants seemed to be bent on
getting verdict Ia their favor, no matter
what wcro the means used or how serious was
the discrcdit in which they involved them
selves. singular anxiety and a suspicious
zeal to serve the purposes of private revenge
were displayed In this prosecution from tho