The evening world., 1890-04-03
ESCAPED JUSTICE.
Corrupt ShellTS Of1CorS Again De-
nOunCed By The Grand Jury.
Bribery Unpublished Because of
Defects In the Law.
A Strong Presentment, Calling for
Penal Code Amendments.

The Grand Jury finished it's work to-day
for the term by brin RinG In another scathing g
presentment against the administration OF
the Sherif's office.
It was read TO Judge Fitzgerald in Part /.
Of the General Sessions by Foreman
Rhoades, who asked that copies be sent to
Gov. Hill and the Legislature.
Judge Fitzgerald promised 10 do this and
then discharged the Grand Jury, after
thanking them on behalf Of the public for
the excellent work which they had accom-
plished.
The presentment states that since the
fling Of the presentment Of March 25th. in
the matter OF the shcriff's Office and Ludlow
Street Jail, the Grand Jury have continued
,ss nyeS5 n:H the ndDas sSSse Sss Sss
taken and the CONCLUSIONS. expressed In that
prssentment are adhered 70 aud reiterated
e By rsaSn Of sss Sspn ags s ,Sd
NE subject Of criminal indietTents;
Ard Ard the Grand jury recomm.eanded .a ed imme.
by publio officers and their subor dinAtes.
The aist OF the prcsentme is as follows;
the criminal laws demand q, prompt revision
ID order that acts Of this class shall receive
proper punishment,
volving the acauisition Of personal gain
under circumstances warranting extreme
measures, have been numerous In the de-
the condemnation Of honest people the per-
The provisions Of the Penal Code yela-
aSsds Ss 70 Ss ss or %n 70 DO
acts or the performance Of official duty APP
pIy only % sIecutlyes and adminls,tratIye
81 pS1 S es US hs sass
c':9S fhs prqS,siSps q the oSds ., Civil Pro-
"These provisions aud others intended to
coYer all casea where gratuities are received
by officers or subordinates arv readily eyaded
pstsptly iStendsd TO apply upon pfsteIt and
objections concededly recognized by the
conrts - Possessing technical merit,
impossibe % sls fso'op to prepare speciSe cRsrsss
general system OF corruption in the
Smss 9se of Sempey fSE thsu hs s.Ss ths
limits Of judicial determination. against
which the attacks OF jealous and, able law
sasd %eS do hs paS
This corruption has not been confined
to the deputies or iisDssia Cssks
oftieo have been equally concerned in it,
and as against these latter persons no
provision OF law whatsoever exists under
Which they can be punished because
they are not public officers, and
further; Are aStuHl psrsieiPstGrs pSin
Criminal law the subordinates can be Joined
as aiders and sbettors.
The Grand jury insist that any provision
money In reference to official conduct q
misdemeAnor 10 entirely improper and In
consistent with the serious character OF such
acts Aen;y,, a., ,.,...- ,u.n
ling the administration OF public Ahairs and
bringing them into disrepqts and IL favor,
50 deeply cOnssEn The public s,.s,. welfare that
feDAe Of the Grayest possible character and
should receive exemplary punishment"
RsatiEminE the recommendations con-
tained In the previous preaentinent, the
Grand Jury insist that the laws should be
10 sltsred and amended that M public ofhcer
or person holding any subordinate position
IN any public once, SHOULD be permitted 20
receive any confederation whsteysr for hi,
sseIyiess. except in payment OF his lawful
otsnseS against the law. when so re-
yiSsd, should b declared By law fslonies
punishable By imprisonmsnt In . State
prison; and lhe Grand Jury earnestly
recommend that the Legislature, without
delay, enact . proper measure ,remedying
sbs defects Of ths existing criminal laws In
This rsspect.
/ New York. April 8. 1890.
JOIN HARsIs RHoADHs. Foreman.
J. Bowers Lee, Secretary.