Year: 1875

the examination OF prisoners ana ntmated to witness
that the Police Court custom contrary 10 them.


Witness continued and said that in cases OF felony
certain number Of questions put the prisoner and
he signs the paper on which they entered but in
matters OF petit larceny and the Ike there no written


Mr. Townsend again read from the statutes to point
out 10 the witness IN what regard they overlooked
by magistrates in the preliminary examination Of pris



witness SAID that in most of felony prisoners
waive the preliminary examination and allow the case
20 go 70 trial. many examinations are taken IN pr-
vate room; the preliminary examination Is more for
the purpose Of making up the record than for anything
ese when he went into Office no followed the customs
OF his predecessors on the Bench.


STATION HOUSE LoDGERs.


From his experience about one-third OF the cases
they have in the ponce come from station house
lodgers They come TO the city from all parts OF tho
morning cold and hungry and are ready to steal any
thing If they were set TO work cleaning the streets
and got meal in the morning before they start out q
good deal Of crime might be avoided. One half tho
cases at the Tombs Police Court come from the common
cheap whlskey that sold around the streets in tho
neighborhood Most of the cases are traceaole TO IN
toXication, though there may be occasional COM
plant Of private rights being involved.


DRUSKARDs


The extent Of hs power in regard to cases OF ntoX-
cation IS fine OF $40 and bail for good behavior
lot one year All persons arrested for ntoxi-
cation are detained sufficient time TO
able them to get sober. He thought that
idle, dissoute persons in the habit OF getting drunk,
when arrested should be sentenced a charge Of va
grancy and sent to the island for six months. This
would be great relief the courts where such people
are being constantly brought up every ten or twenty
days. Some offences under the Lottery law are tried
at the General and some at the Special Sessions


Mr. Dessar said he understood there was some con-
hct Of authority between these two courts.


Mr. Townsend asked that, supposing young GIRL.
charged with prostitution IS brought before him,
whether the matter of her religion is looked into


Witness said that is never overlooked; her religion Isl
ascertaned and she is reiormatory institution
OF her creed in regard TO taking ball. cases are
where the Court is imposed upon
by bogus ball. but IL is not customary
TO examine very mnutey into the character of the
bail He was not aware that cases common where's
q person committed for examination held IN prison.
for long period nineteen days without trial 1t
possible that commitment paper may be lost, and
the person committed is not heard OF unless the Keeper
of the prison informs the magistrate of the matter


The average number of tried at the TOmbs daV
is about thirty In many persons are discharged
their recognzances, where the magistrates ieen
that they can be of the appearance of the parties


Mr. Dessar said he knew of instances when respeca-
BILE people unjustly arrested on Sunday Alter
and had to remain in the station house till next
day. because there was magistrate sitting and hG
wished 10 know of the witness If it would not be good
idea for the magistrates to sit Tor awhile on Sunday
afternoons Witness said police captains had the dis
erection Of taking bail in most of the that rans
pire Sunday afternoons


John Reilly, detective, sworn said he knew the pick
pocket who attempted rob Mr. Brague and that ho
notorious character; he knew also the man
Hubbard, who gave a certified check OF 81 500 thu
District Attorney in lieu of ball. Hubbard in thd
sawdust business and was a confidence man; neVee
knew that he was tred and have him since walk
ing about the streets.


Two witnesses named Hirsch and Isaac testified to
Of perjury in which the latter was complainant
against two men named Goldstein and Schoenberg.
lsaacs testified having called number Of times al
the District Attorneys Office TO have the case brought
to trial, but never got any satisfaction about IL.


The committee then dourned till Thursday at half
past ten meet at foot of Twenty ysixth street and
proceed to Blackwells Island.