New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-03-03
PLAIN WORDS TO TIE GRAND JURY.

JUDGE GILDEBSLEEyE TALKS ABOUT THE ALICIA
noSs OF BRIBERY.
Judge Gildelsleeye had given the Grand
jury days before charging them as lac wished
10 do IN relation relating 20 the broadway
franchise. Foreman Fosdok and the other Jurors stood
at,enti,cly yesterday IN tho General Sessions court
room while the Judge spoke 10 them. lie said:
Preliminary to what shall say to you respecting the
special matter to which must direct your attention TINS
morning wish 10 impress upon YOU iue following OO
sctvatohs and rules Tor your guidance. Inc purost
oitzcu, becoming the victim OF unfortunate circum,
stances, Is liable 10 DE ch9ISed WIN an onrhoo anu
rraigned before your body. Malice. Jealousy self
aggTahd4cmeht ana many Glber causes EVolato i'Is'
accusatiou@ Tue pres enjoying -pIOad anu Guso-
straiued liberty, l. tho READY TO spread scandal be-
fore the world, ami sometimes becomes "A terrible
weapon In the hands OF I!I-e hccu5ets. An fNHhutu
experience Ia the trial VI criminal charges assures no
tEat innocent man Is rarely convicted ms,
however should not lessen tho vigilance OF Jurors or ia
cline them TO forget the priceless boon OF an unsuei
serious that bo made upon the character OF
citizen. You sworn to inquire u crimes committed
ment except when the evidence Is such In your judg
ment II ulex planned VI uncorrObOratcd, would warrant
"A OuvlctiOn bY the trial Jury You must rememOer.
gentlemen. that It Ia over the person OF the individual
not property, that your Jurisdiction extends injury
10 property may be reQucd but Tor bow that strikes
down the good character OF man there II no adequate
remedy. The law therefore. bengnly Directs that you
can receive none but legal evidence. Among other
things Court il required 70 give you such ntorma
ton may deem proper as to the nature O your du
ties. and any charges and crimes returned to the
Court likely to come up before your body.
Under tls mead must say something To you IN refer
euce 20 tho matter that has 40 long attracted public at
tenton and Is the theme OF daily conversation
among all classes Of citizens refer TO the alleged
corruption the securing and granting OF the franchise
undor which the Broaiway surface kalIroad Is NOW
operated Senate committee is now lnkessStlnE tlo
matter being aided by eminent and experienced counsel
have no doubt that that body Is working earnestly and
In good faith to ascertain the iacts under Wch tnis
franchise granted They will hardly finish their
before your expires unless your term OF duty
should be extended beyond lho limits OF tnls
term. There three ways In which this matter may
some up before Frat II tho Senate inquiry deVe
ops sufficient evidence Indicate that the action of your
body required in the matter In the second place. II
any information should come to any member of your
holy which would warrant him In believing that an In
dotment could be found. Remember that Section 2oo
OF the Grand Jury knows or haA reason TO believe
that crime has been committed which Is trlnbc In THIS
county no declare the same to his follow Jurors,
who must thoreupOn investigate the same In the last
place. this committee should perchance adjourn WITH
out what should seem your body 10 be satisfactory
result: II tho Investigation should not nave been as
thorough as II mitht have been and tho accusations
have not TO be false or the inquiry has not
resulted IN the discovery Of offences against the city or
county II Will be- your duty to make an investigation
which may be to-day, tomorrow or later .
IL IL clear that tho press ana the pubic ihclio 10
bribery aud tho constant cry Is. Bring the gully to
Justice The pdDlic Is mOo disposed TO censure IMAM 10
praise Every prominent charged with crime that
tho attention OF the people at largo has 10 DC
tried by two tribunals-oae the court having la"Iul
jurisdiction OF the alleged offence aud the other pubic
opinion While II Il that these two tribunals often
concur their conclusions, the character OF evidence
that influences tho result Is often very dssimsr, ana
the process of the two tribunals rs different as day IL
from night. The former deliberate and dispassiohate
hears only legal evidence aud Is blind and dear TO all
irrelevant matter IL does not overlook the presump
tons that the law throws around every ono
OF crime The latter Le3lOus that public
wrong should be speedily avenged too often acts upon
collateral aud Irrelevant evidence and comes to nasty
and erroneous conclusion. Tho rules and principles OF
the former tribunal must govern your deliberations
much has been said 81 full Is the air at ruhOrS anu
accusations In respect 10 the franchise In question tna
s ntnresy thcduty OF the eDglnory OF charged
with tho inyesgatlOn and punishment Of crimo villain
this county to probe this scandal TO IT'S lowest depths
and uncover the light aud To tho operation OF Ia" anu
Justice every act connect there with No elOn can be
brought TO Justice this except through your ac
ton that OF your THIS yohr dnty Let
| the axe fall where IL may. We nave oht ono coue
OF laws and they recognize mother color nationality nor
rank This course IL due TO those toward whom the
finger Of suspicion points II Ia duo to this great city,
which yOu the grand inquest In aud for the Clty anu
County " New. York now represent Remenoer your
Oaths You shall present person from envy hatred or
malice nor shall YOU leave one unpresented through
fenr favor affection reward Or hope thereof