New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-20
FRIENDS IN TIE COURTROOM.

1ohn Y. McKane advanced to the bar ycster-
dav at hat-past 10 o'clock to receive sentence
sr,n, Justice Bartlett committing him to Sing
srg prison for six years
I,ta last evening Justice Edgar NJ. Cullen Of
prooklvn. granted a stay Of execution until 10
O'clock Friday morning. when a hearing will be
riven on an application for certificate Of rea-
sonabIe doubt as TO whether or not the judg-
uent should stand.
rarly in the morning a mass Of people began
- assemble around the courthouse. ard as 10
o,c,ock approached 1t was almost impossible to
,.o,, access 10 the courtroom In which it
known that McKanc was to receive his sentence
A, q quarter before 10 O'Clock in company with
cbsriff Fulfilling. McKane left Raymond Street
Jail. and the two men walked down 70 the
centre Of the city, attracting little attention as
they crossed from street to street.
Tho corridors Of the courthouse were damned
Nth people all friends of McKane from Graves
erd They swarmed into the chamber and the
galleries and occupied every available foot OF
space When the prisoner entered with Sheriff
Quilting he did not seem TO attract much at
tenilon so far any demonstration on the part
Of the spectators was concerned. lie took his
place directly In front of the bar. and many
friends pressed toward him to extend words of
sympathy and commiseration. He accepted all
these attentions in quiet. modest way; and 1t
was apparent that the kindness bestowed upon
him at this particular moment had much 10 do
in sustaining him.
His counsel were around him. One Of the first
70 appear was his intimate friend, George W.
Roderck. Foster l.. Baclus was in his seat be-
fore the late Chief Of the Gravesend Police De-
,artment was in his chair. So also were Genera!
Tracy and NJ shepard while ex-Judge Troy
sat directly behind the prisoner. By the side
Of McKane, however. was Colonel +. c. James
who discharged all the functions that would have
naturally fallen upon one Of the attorneys. II
was his first appearance during the trial. and as
he arose to address the court the friends or
McKane manifested a strong interest in his re-
marks It Is said that the induction Of Colonel
James to the position he occupied yesterday as
principal spokesman for McKane was due TO
some disagreement on the part Of counsel for the
defence during the trial. Nothing definite in
regard TO this was learned except that it seemed
TO be understood that Mr.. James was invited to
come in al the last moment. and as a sort or
compromise growing out Of the dissatisfaction
on the part Of the defendant with the case rs
conducted by Mr. Frederick. ex-JudSe Troy and
Mr.. Backus.
MKANE CALLED TO THE BAR
1t was half-past 10 o'clock when Mckane was
called to the bar to say whether he had any
reason 70 give why the sentence Of the court
should not be passed upon him. He arose from
the chair ne occupied. jaunty; and almost
ultaneousy the clerk Of the court placed
volume in his hand. The prisoner seized 1t WITH
out hesitation, and pressed his lips to II. Then
came questions from the clerk OF the court as 10
the convic,'s past life. his habits. and the like.
A great mass OF people had been permitted 10
assemble in the courtroom and. as Judge Bart
lett entered the room and ascended the dais. ne
glanced quickly over the body Of people before
him Taking his seat. the first thing he did was
N announce that order must be naintained; that
the court officers would be required to exact
q. and that any breach Of good order would re-
cult in a commitment for contempt Of court