New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-14
MEssRs. sPINNEY AND KER Go FREE.
THEIR "OFFENCT,S AGAINST THE POLICE POWER
OF NEW YORK NOT REGARDED AS
ESPECIALLY SERIOUS

J. Bronson Ker thrty-fve years old. lawyer.
from Indercliff y j. and George F Spinney. forty
four "ears o.d. the wel-known newspaper man OF
this city whose summer residence is AT Roslyn.
Long island. arrested by Policemen Becker
and Frank of the West Thirieth-st. station, In the
crowd around Madison Square Garden on Wednes-
day nglt for refusing to move away from the
crowd wren ordered. They were arraigned in JEFF
felson Market Court yesterday morning by the
policemen Mr.. Ker first arraigned by Police
man Becker. Becker told Magistrate Brann that
Mr. Ker had come up to the line the police had
drawn at Madison-ave. and Twcnty-sxth-st. at
o'clock and had tried to force himself past the
police line lie was stopped and warned 10 away
several times but insisted upon passing Then he
arrested him
When Magistrate Brann asked Mr.. Ker wha; he
had to say the latter said: Your Honor, when
reached the line last night. as had ticket. OF
course tried to push my way past the policeman.
This officer stopped and said that could not
20 through. 1 showed him my ticket, but he said
/ that the crowd great that that did not
/ make any difference. Then l showed him that the
| street was crowded around the door. and
said that was going through the lines This OFF,
Ger said that If attempted TO do he would arrest
/ me told him that ] was American citizen,
and that a citizen of this city and that there
/ were some rights which | did not intend to allow
| the police to rob OF. / said that ! going
through TO the door and. If admttance was refused
! me there, IT would be all right. but going
through to the door peaceaby. unless force used
! TO prevent l then tried to 90 past him. and he
arrested me"
rs that all you did, asked Magistrate Brann.
THAT'S all / did, said Mr. ker.
! ''And you are q lawyer asked the Magistrate.
| Il am a lawyer" said Mr.. Ker.
You are discharged" said Magistrate Brarn
Policeman Frank then arraigned Mr. Spnney
Us this another of those casos"' asked Magistrate
Brnnn
Eyes. sir" said Franz
''Ife IS another offender against policc power In
New-York?' quered the Magistrate.
yes sir IL you want to call 1t that" said the
policeman.
IT'S a wonder TO me tina, you fellows would not
arrest buns instead Of gentlemen who are doing
nothing" said Magistrate Brann sharply.
I'VE were acting under ORDERS. said Frank.
"Your Honor ! have complaint to make
against this policeman as believe he was acting
under orders" interposed Mr.. Spinney.
This prisoner Your Honor" said Frank had
no ticket OF Ambulance into the Garden. He came
ID with another man and said that he had right
as an American citizen to walk through the street
10 Fourth-ave and thaJ he intended to do 50.
told him that the street was blocked and If he
tried TO push past me wonld arrcsl MN ne said
that he did not care, and ATTEMPTED 10 30 So and
then arrested him. he was parllaly lnt3Nir4ieh
Why" said Mr Spinne{ viii q laugh ! was
'"rhe officer swears that you WERE. said the
magistrate.
The officer is mistaken was not intoxicated
J came np 10 the line while | was talking politics
with 81 friend. We both greatly interested,
and when We were stopped demanded that "" be
allowed 10 pass through the street as We were
American citizens. He said If tried to 20
through he would arrest us. We tried to pass
him aud he arrested mo Was not intoxicated.
however,
wen. will discharge you" said the Magistrate
u thankful to your Honor for that said
Mr.. Spinney. but there are on" or two things
would IKE 70 ask this police man Officer was there
/ am Tim" befor" the arrest that used any force?'
No" replied Frank.
was thoro any time nfter I was arrested that
used any forcc%
NO"
Did ] At any time any coarse or insulting
/ language
NO"
Then. Your Honor want that to he included IN
the court record"
"ThcTc n no court record taken Of the evidence
in such minor cases these" said A1ar,strafe
Rrann "as nothing but the disposition is recorded
You are simply wasting The time of the court You
are discharged Next case"
Mr. spinncy and Mr.. Ker then walked ont Of
court together
DEADIOCKED CONNENTIDNS