New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-12
JUDGE BARRETT INDIGNANT
COLONEL FELLowss cARELEssNESs.
NO ONE TO ADVISE THE SPECIAL GRAND JUEY-A
DECISIVE STEP EXPECTED.

DECISIVE STEP EXPECTED.
Ihe conduct Of District Attorney Fellows in
going OH TO the Democratic Convention at St
LOUIS and then on pleasure tour up into Mime
sofa, leaving the Specal Grand Jury which he
had summoned entirely without other than the
pettiest Of routine work. has so aroused the in
diSnation of Justice Barrett, who charged the
Grand jury that trouble is likely to ensue. The
jury was summoned for three distinct purposes:
10 Inquire into the election frauds growing out
of Colonel Fellows's election and particularly
those in the With Assembly District; to inquire
into alleged boodling enterprises in the present
Board of Aldermen, and to stimulate the prosecu-
tion of excise cases.
Colonel Fellows has professed to feel under 10
political or other obligation to the persons al
legged to have been guilty of electoral rascalites
in his interest last fall. He has professed to be
entirely willing TO prosecute them if-and he has
lald great stress on the lift any evidence
can be found against them. The City Reform
Club says il las tie eyidence-clear and convincing
evidence that considerable part OF the COloneps
majority obtained by iniquitous practices and
al it asks is fair chance to present its case.
Judge Barrett promised that it should have this
fair chance, and he charged the Grand Jury
week ago, with reference these allegations that
it must go to the bottom of them. He also
direced their attention to the new Aldermanic
scandals
AWAY FROM THE POST OF DUTY.
But no sooner had Colonel Fellows summoned
the jury than, without waiting TO hear the
Judges charge, he skipped off to ST. Louis leaving
such instructions as prevented his subordinates
from going into the frauds at all. Just what
these instructions were it would be a breach of
confidence to print, but their practical and nevi-
table result was TO leave this Grand Jury with
other work than the finding Of indictments
against 6wo-penny bartenders and to nullify Judge
Barrett's serious charge. The convention having
adjourned, the Colonel telegraphed that he should
not return for another week, and then went of to
the Northwest The Grand Jury became restless.
IL wanted TO know what it summoned for.
Nobody, however, had any authority to act while
the Colonel was away, except within limitations
that made action impossible and thus the matter
stands
1t is not thought that ID will stand this way
long Colonel Fellows made the mistake Of sup
posing that Judge Barrett was the sort Of man he
could afford to trife with. Rumors were current
yesterday, that the Judge was highly indignant
and that when the Grand Jury comes into court
this morning il will hear an interesting address.
The Judge was not at home last night, but there
is no doubt OF his Tesolute determination TO have
both the election and the Aldermanlc scandals
fuly investigated and 10 is believed that he will
require the District Attorney TO Justify himself
for his conduct III going away and III leaving such
Instructions to his subOrdinates as prevented the
Grand Jurys work from proceeding.
THE OFFICE AT A sTANDSTILI-
The Special Grand Jury has been left with no
business more important than the hearing OF excise
cases which might be disposed Of at the Special
Session as other misdemeanors are. Mr.. Parker,
who las been advising the Grand Jury, was as
signed long time ago to prepare the case OF john
inn uxhie oh Nvas foP
the Oyer and Terminer. He was compelled to tell
Assistant District-Attorney Sempe, who is in
charge of the Office that he could no longer attend
to the work Of the Special Grand Jury and yester-
day there was no one to advise the Grand Jurors.
Mr. Parker had prepared part OF the evidence
against the Aldermen, but no one was ready 10
continue the work Justice Barrett sent for Mr.
Semplc Yesterday afternoon and made a paln
stat, mnnt of his opinions and a long telegram to
Mr. Fellows from Mr.. Somple was the result.
Mr. Fellows was informed II Is SAID, that justice
Barrett declared that If the DlStrct-AttOrney were
not at hand tomorrow or the next day. the Justlce
would either appoint lawyer to represent the
people of the State in the preparation OF cases Ior
the Special Grand Jury or he would discharge the
Grand Jurors on tie ground that the District
Attorney did not seem TO be prepared 10 SUNNI
matters Of sufficient Importance to warrant Ihe
continuance of the sessions OF the special Gfahd
Jurv Mr. Fellows cannot return before lhurs-
dav but his perpleAed subordnates hope to see hlm
bv that time Mr. Sempe organized force among
the Junior assistants in the Dsrlcl-AtuOIney
Office late Yesterday afternoon IN the eHort 10 nave
some evidence in important cases to present 10 lhe
Special Grand Jury soon.