The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-06
REV. c. MYERS BEATS POLICE.
EX-ASSENBLYMA SANDFI'RD IS
GUILTY or BOOkNAkISG.
was Convicted on Testimony Of One OF
the Preachers observation-disclosures
Raps at the Pastor ana ArraiEns
Racetrack Owners-Other Trials To-thy

Former ASSemDlyHlan Niileini H. oohu
ford, who was Under Sheriff during tn
short official career of Sheriff Charles
Guden was convicted in the County Cour
in BROOKLYN Yesterday on an indictmen
charging him with making a handbook oil
the races The information leading to hi
indictment was furnished to the Crane
Jury by the Rev. Cortland Myers OF the
Baptist Temple 1t took the jury only three
quarters Of an hour to arrive at verdict
after the case had been given to them by
Judge Crane.
During the selection Of the jury, Henry
Yonge, who appeared as counsel Tor SAND
ford asked each talesman II he had read
any Of the sermons recently preached by
the Rev Mr. Myers on gambling and II he
had any prejudice against gambling. Inc
o0urt room was crowded by members OF
the gambling fraternity and some OF theln
during the absence of the jury offered odds
on an acquittal. They were fairly dunn
founded over Sandford's quick conviction.
The first witness was Albert Winters, IL
years old, of 81 Bedford street, Manhattan
He testified that he was member OF the
Young Mems Christian Association and
was formerly tell phone messenger in the
New York Stock Exchange, but was now
engaged in detective work. On April 8
last, he said, he and another detective
named O'Connors visited the Plaza cafe
at 1913 Flatbush avenue. They received
a tip from the bartender to go into the rear
room. They did so and found Sanford
sitting there Then they went upstairs.
where they found a number OF men seated
around the room. On the walls, he said
there were slip, bearing the names of horses
and jockeys. He picked out the horse
Brown Monarch at odds of 7 to 10. He
went down stairs and placed 81 in Sand
ford's hands on Brown Monarch. Sand
ford then went to telephone and said:
1.-TWO more dollars on Brown Monarch"
Subsequently the witness went upstairs
and after waiting some time was told that
Brown Monarch had won. He was told
to go downstairs and get an envelope. He
did so and the envelope contained 50 40.
Winters was oorroborated by John O'Con-
nors, who had been with him on that day.
Sanford, in his own defence, testified
that he had not taken any money from Win
tiers or registered any bet. He acknow-
edged being at the place. but said be had
never seen any money change hands there
on horse races. He was asked on cross
exami nation how long he had been out of
employment and said he had not wor ked
for more than year. 1t was year last
March that he lost his place as Under Sher-
ify when Gov. Odell bounced Guden.
Mr.. Platzantino, the owner of the cafe.
testified that it was a respectable resort,
which was frequented by farmers and their
wives for refreshments, and that there had
never been any gambling in his establish
ment.
In summing up the case Henry Yonge
said
-The District Attorney knows the in
spiration of this case 1t didn't come from
public sentiment, but from the sensational
by sending this young man to jail. Thank
God, in this country Church aud State are
separate institutions. If what has been
said is true and If all the indictments found
in this cas-" and those to follow are true, it
is the District Attorney and his assistants
who are on trial. because it was their duty
to inform against any such establishments
IN this borough. But the District Attorney
lodged no information in this case. 1t
came from stool pigeons in Manhattan in
law under which this case comes was in
spired by no public sentiment but by the
wealthy bookmakers and racetrack owners
II is a statute which guards and exempts
the Belmonts and the Whitneys and the
copper kings of The West who come here
with their horses. and it also carefully guards
some of our public officials in the Senate
and Assembly. The law is unjust and
unfair"
Il must stop this said Judge Crane.
"The law is here and the Jury Is supposed
to follow 1t and not violate it."
Il take exception to your Honor's re-
mark" said, Mr.. Yonge. when Shy
lock asks for his pound of flesh he may have
II under the law, but he must not take
drop of blood. Sometimes when public
IL nv a lnti II, ha ii
pit great harm is done to the community.
and If an innocent man should be sent to
Sing Sing on such evidence as this, then |
would say. God save US from the pulpit.
account for using irrelevant language
Has not the Rev. Mr. Myers the same
right as any other citizen?" asked Assistant
District Attorney Elder in summing up for
the people. "He has a right to see that
The law Is enforced When he came to the
same courtesy as is given to every person.
Why all this maudlin sentiment for the
gamblers who never toll or spin neither do
they work? The statute which has here
been taken to task is a good one. 1t stops
this moral degradation of young and old,
to work those who are not now engaged
in any productive industry
II am not defending Whitney. l do not
think he is the stamp Of a good citizen.
All uot ueleHultlB DtlIioilt. W HoJ
think he is the stamp of a good citizen.
find the stamp Of good citizens among
the middle classes-among the men who
work, such men as compose this jury.
Men who are engaged in the class Of work
as this defendant is accused Of are just one
grade above the prostitute, and ask you
10 say that he is guilty in accordance with
your oath"
Judge Crane in his charge to the jury
read Section ISL of the Penal Code under
which the defendant was indicted, and held
that il was not necessary for Sanford to
register bet, as the mere taking Of the
money was a violation of the law
The penalty is two years imprisonment
or fine of $1,000. Sanford will be ar
raigned for sentence on Monday, at which
time his counsel will move for new trial.
II his motion shall be denied he will apply
o Supreme Court Justice for certificate
II reasonable doubt
Ten others were indicted on information
furnished by the Rev. Cortland Myers.
one of them. Antonio Valdes. who keeps
sigar store on Fulton street, near Myrtle
-. ,e, will be tried to-day. Last night
it was said that Valdes and the others would
plead guilty and throw themselves ON the
mercy of the Court.
Tank ste n,shtD Ocean Ashore,