New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-26
A STANDING DISGRACE.
TAINTED WITH CORRUPTION
so SAYS THE GRAND JURY ABOUT THE
SHERIFFS OFFICE!
NOT ONE REDEEMrNG FEATURE FOUND By TN
IyvEsrIG AT1oN-A BLOT UPON THE CITY AND
A SHAME TO OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
PREsENTMENT TO JUDGE FITZGERALD
SWEEPING REFORM ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY TO KILL THE EVIL.
NECESSARY TO KILL THE EVIL.

NECESSARY TO KILL THE EVIL.
The Grand jury which has reached by in-
dictment some of the minor officials in the SheriR0
office, made yesterday sweeping condemnation
Of the whole system under which that c'"ce -
conducted, and uttered in forcible language their
opinion of the higher officials, who deal less
directly with the attorneys and prisoners, and 80
cannot be reached by criminal process. Tho
manner in which the Grand Jury expressed their
opinions was itself dramatic.
John IIarscn Rhoades. the foreman Of the Grand
jury is the president of the Greenwich Savings
Bank and a wekrown business man. lie Is tall
and of dignited appearance, and Is an impressive
SPEAKER lie and his twenty-five associates on the
Grand Jury entered the courtroom OF Part OF
the Court of General Sessions soon after noon
yesterday and Judge Fitzgerald stopped the trial
of a prisoner to receive them. The Grand Jurors
are, almost without exception, men of prominence
in the community, and the present Grand Jury
has among its numbers many men of impressive
appearance The Grand Jurors took their places
in front of and to the right of the Judge, and
Mr. Rhoades arose and handed document To
the clerk who gave it to Judge Fitzgerald. "A
prescntment on the evils existing in the SherHe
Office had been expected, and every one In the
crowded courtroom was quet when MT. hhoaoes
began to speak. lie did not read the present.
ment, as forcmen have sometimes done with simliaE
documents, but lie made separate address, speak
ing with much vigOr, and III an earnest way
which made it evident that the facts brought oue
I'm the investigation had made deep impression
upon him. lie said:
The Grand Jury presentmeat to MAKE ano |"
nresentng t been heir aim 70 make u a. ofie' as
nosible but the range Of the inquiry has been sucn
that OF necessity longer than they could wish In oael
to :he whole facts OF the case am ms'rue~u "
the Grand Jury to say this pesentment relates TO the
sherirs OF the City Of Ne"-fcrk ana uat IN "o
Investigation which has taken place not one single enes
OF rdeerning character has appeared before s "iaa
Jurv The entire history OF this case shows one oacH
record OF violated law. tardy justice forced settlements
and OF corruption and bribery The Grand jury feels sir.
that II l. no longer question a. TO whether any
ought DONE but ~ what must De done 10 stop ee
existing evils Investigation, and indictments alone WIZ
not suffice Un,, honest appointed 20 ONCE, ana
unless tho law, relating The management OF the sherlhs
office aud the appontmen: Of the sherd subodnates are
changed al efforts will be useless The "rsnd jury re-
spectfuy request that you VIII have copy OF THIS pre-
seu tmott sent Of this State ana % ens
LEGISLATURE IN oldcr speedy action may be taken 70
remedy these abuses
A. the mater now stands sherfs Office is stand
ing disgrace TO the City OF New.Yok and to the age IN
which We live.
Mr. RHOADEs APPLAUDED.
The emphasis with which the last words were
spoken caused a murmur of applause among the
auditors. but the court attendants quickly re-
pressed the exhibition of feeling.
Judge FITZGERALD said 10 the Grand Jurors:
Gentlemen Grand Jury From the very exhaustive
examination you have the abuses to which YOU
call attention has reason o believe thae
tho remedies you and the evils to which you refer
are presented In prc,entnent which you now file In
manner that may lead h-ne,d,d reorin In behalf
Of the Court for your investigation in th, matter, return
YOU thanks Copies your prsenment Will be made and
forwarded proper authorities with the view that oe
iabo-, that you engaged IA result I'm improved
government in the city and county OF NewYork
The Grand Jurors retired TO continue their
work and the presentment filed with Clerk
Sparks of the Court of General Sessions The
Grand Jurors in the presentmcnt say
The Grand Jury Of the city OF New-Yerk present -
follows:
During the present term the Grand Jur, have entered
upon an Investigation certain charges brought To ther
attention concerning the administration OF the afars OF
the one Of the sheriff Of th, county aud Of the county
,,l under his charge They have examined many wit
.... and upon testimony already aiduced have pro
.entcd indictments certain specific offences while th
lnNc,caton Is not completed. the Grand Jury deem
IL their duty further delay TO bring 10 the atten'
ion OF , hereinafter set forth that action
nay be- toward speedy remedy OF the scancslous
abuses proven by the testimony 70 exist.
proper Of the affairs Of the Sherifs office Is
NJ ,. highest concern community It's functions
Affect every citizen alike. II is closely related TO tho
judicial branch that its corruption tahts
the administration OF justice ITSELF
LEGAL FEES.
the past five aside from other sources Of