The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-10-25
ATTACK rpoN RECORDER SMITH.
Ths Fsctsi n thc Case OF the Suspension OF
sentence on George Houghton.

"
sentence on George Houghton.
A morning newspaper tried yesterday to throw
an air Of mystery about the suspension Of sem
tence by Recorder smyth in the case of George
Houghton. convicted Of carrying burglars tools
In the General Sessions on March 90 1891, and
insin1ated that Mike Murray. once reputed to
be weil-known gambler. or a state Senator or
State Senators had secured the suspension OF
sentences through their influence with Recorder
smyth.
When the matter was called to Recorder
Smyth's attention yesterday he said that there
wac no mystery, and that the insinuation as TO
the Csc Of any improper influence in Houghton's
behalf was outrageous. No State Senator or
any other kind Of Senator. he said, had ever
spoken TO him about the case. and az for Mike
Murray. he had never seen or spoken to that
person In his life I'd his knowledge.
Deputy Clerk Henry Welsh of the General
Sessions said:
George Houghton, ex-convict. who had
served term OF Imprisonment in Kentucky
and another term Of imprisonment in the State
prison OF New Jersey for burglary. and Patrick
Robertson, alec mn eN-convict, were arrested by
Inspector Mof.aughlin's staff as they were going
@ q the oSs at hos E III
go, 1891. They had bundle Of burglars
tools In their possession. The bundle was
tvss seized them HGRR ROBERTSON threw ns Jimmy
into the yestibue of the house. He bad a
room In this house. Both Robertson and Hough-
ton asked the detectives why they were arrested.
and the detectives told them that they would
find ont when they, got to Headquarters. Ser
geant Lyman asked Robertson, in the presence
OF Houghton, what they were doing with the
burglars tools, Robertson said that they were
not to be used In New York. but at least l,4OO
miles away. aud TINT, IL the detectives had not
made the arrest, he would have been well on his
he would assume the whole burden OF the
possession of the burglars tools, and that
HouRhton was not TO blame.
Both Houshton and Robertson were indicted
for carrying burglars tools Robertson pleaded
guilty in the General Sessions before Judge
CowinR. and was sentenced to state prison for
five years. He repeated his statement that he
alone was blamable for the possession of the
burglars tools Houghton went to trial on Feb.
20 before Recorder Smyth in Part III. OF the
General Sessions. In the course Of the peoples
Ills counsel ala not put him on the stand and and
made no defence. probably because he did not
think that the people had made out clear case
against HopEhton. But the jury, convicted
await sentence. On the Goth OF March he was
called to the bar OF the General Sessions for
sentence. number OF reputable witnesses GER
titled that from the time of the expiration Of
1873. and up to the time OF his arrest Houghton
had pursued an upright life, In view OF all the
eo%stenSes; and especially this testimony
Smyth told HQughtOn If he again violated the
law he would be rearrested and the suspended
sentence wOnld be imposed, In addition to any
him upon conviction Of any new offence. Since
then no charge. so far as Is known in this court |
has been made against Houghton. and he has |
led so far as any ono in this court IL advised
life II he should commit an offence
Tomorrow, he could be rearrested and sent to |
State prison under the suspended sentence"