New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-24
THE CONVICTION OF FLACK.
WHAT WILL THE GOVERNOR Do9
GROUNDS on WHICH THE GENERAL TERRI WILL
RE ASKED TO SET ASIDE THE VERDICT

GROUNDS on WHICH THE GENERAL TERRI WILL
BE ASKED TO SET ASIDE THE VERDICT
Although the jury in the Flack conspiracy case
did not give n verdict until an early hour YES
teriay morning, the news Of the CONVICTION OF
Sheriff Flhck his Will" and Joseph Merks
for conspiracy, spread with great rpdlty' ana
inside of an hour after the jury had Teen as
missed the verdict being discussed IN all OF
the uptown hotels, clubs and in the street cars
and elevated trains One of the most rem'rNipo
features Of the case was that no one expressed
any regrets. In fact, many were sorry 'ha' "e
punishment which the law could infict was NV
more severe. No Tammany Hall man would have
ANYTHING TO say about the conviction OF L i"c"'
who within few months was the Grand Sa'hem
of Tammany Hall. All the members OF MS %
canizaton who were positively refused 70
so, = word about the case This gives consider
able weqht TO tie rlmor which has been III cir
cnlation for some time that an acquit'al or
di.aorccmcnt by the Jury would see the SHerN
again occnpying his former place III Iammany
Hall 4 disagreement under tie cireul stances
would bc looked upon as equal t. an ac INITIAL
from n political point Of view hy most Of The
Tammany braves
IT, WAS impossible TO any one Of the repre-
sentatiycs of the defendants Yesterday. IL was
understood. however, that a consultation Of the
Sberir his SON Joseph Mecks and the lawyers
who defended them was held during tie day.
and that the points which the setting aisle
of the verdict would he asked were discussed ard
decided upon. on three points AT least tie de-
fence will ask 10 have the verdict set aside and
a new trial ordered. One Of these Is the adms-
sion of the testimony given 10y the Sheriff before
/ the Grand Jury. which eX-Judge Russell for Mr..
| Flack fought hard 10 prevent Another VIII ne
tho nonfs of Judge. Barrctt's charge which wee
not satisfactory 10 tie defence. Tie tnird re-
lates TO the verdict against the Sheriff, winch
will be held 20 be contrary 10 Judge Barrett
charge. as he told the jury thai the proof Of
Sheriff Flacks connection with the conspiracy
ended when he put the divorce matter In Monclls
hands In the evidence he was not traced be-
yond that point. Tie refusal Of judge Barrett
10 charge that Meeks. while acting, as lie main
! tains under Judge BookstaverS orders, should ne
exculpated may he another point on which
rev trial will he asked. There is no doubt that
these are only small portion of the Arguments
which the defendants lawyers will use The thr'e
men will he brought up this morning for s'n'en G.
The offence Of which the defendants were con-
yictcd entities them 10 one year each IL The peHl-
Tertiary or a fine Of $500. or both Should Judge
Barrett decide 10 fine them Only. the defendants
will not accept it. as the ease is 10 be carried 10
the General Term No matter how light the pun.
ishment is the disgrace of the conviction remains
until a higher court removes it,
II was said yesterday on good authority that
Governor Hill would probably not remove u"
sheriff from his Office until he had had a chance
20 appeal. 4 prominent Democrat who l. pfeiiy
close 10 him said that there was no doubt than
the Governor would wait until a higher cours
| had passed upon the ease The Governor, he
| added would look upon the conviction a. tie
result Of newspaper clamor and fear on The part
Of the Jurors 10 antagonlZ" the press Of this cVY
| and no would give the Sheriff another chance.
From another source il was learned that when
several 1ammany Hall politicians asked Governor
Ilill TO remove Sheriff FacS last fall he Then
! refused 70 do 50 until he bad been convicted
In the opinion of the reporters informant. WIZ
is a well-lnown politician, tie Governor VIII
remove Flacl without delay.
Emicration Commissioner Rilcway has been
much spoken of as the probable Successor u
I Flack. lie has a s,fon, Tanmany hccNir-.