Year: 1870

missioner" and the Press-What


is Secret Session.


1t might almost be imagined that the United
States Court building enjoyed the full mononoy Of
sensational scenes and exctements caused with
reference to issues OF public and even national
Importance. During the past few weeks greas
number OF events have transpired IN these depart
ments Of the law providing considerable matter for
comment the public press First, the crowds tnat
nowed into and out Of the once Of the United Ssaes
Marshal with reference 10 the enumeration or tho
population OF the city: next In order came the ap-
pointment by the United States authorities OF tho
special deputies and supervisors OF election, and
now the swearing In OF the men who are to be au-
thorized under commission to preserve order and
assist in the prevention Of corruption on the 9Th Of
November next
Yesterday was the day appointed by the Marshal
Of the United States for Aa-


SWEARING IN


upwards OF two thousand special deputy United
States marshals, all Of whom had received notice BY
letter during the past week to be present for THAI
purpose. As early % nine O'Clock an immense
crowd mad gathered In and arougd these courts.
waiting for the commencement OF the ceremony
which was to transform them from citizens into po
litical policemen Every moment the crowd seemed
to Increases now some friends Of those present would
enter the building and mix with the crowd; next
passers-by would peep IN, and, thinking that
something either very awful or very grand was
going on, pushed their way into the halls until they
become so crowded that 1t was simply impossible to
get from one court to the other until those who had
entered promiscuously had again passed out When
the deputies became separated from the other par.
ties in the halls they presented spectacle than





ludlcrous and absurd In appearance, and taking
them in connection with the authorities OF the
United States one could not avoid utterlng excama
tions OF surprise. What q ef


COARSE LOOKING MASS OF HUMANITY


The sight OF them gave rise TO the idea that New
York had yesterday been secured in every direction
by the officers OF the law to discover the toughest
characters that were to be had and having collected
ali the sscum OF the city together had heaped II as
by an instantaneous movement, or by 9 process q
magical manipulation into the United States COURTS
They would be extremely smart who could find
more motley crew. Here was mOnstr0us indl
vidual, VINO, to oil outward appearance.
had been living on turtle for twenty years
past shouting out for the "men Of the Second
ward" Having gathered as many as he could OF
these worthless. he marched them upstairs to under.
go the first preliminary operation OF receiving their
commissions. Next came BILLY Boyst," q Fourth
SSossH H What pets they were Some ' with crooked roc
knees and club feet; others with but one leg some
Looked ks nes Of wna ~ n s CLOSELY
machs, mo breakfast to-day" &C.; and here came
one portraylng an exact counterpart Of the famous
were also q great number OF the "gemmen Oh co0r'i
from the Eighth and Eleventh wards. These gentie-
dressed up to the last thread in Sunday
costume, In pants varying III shape and color, ac-
Sorns 70 taste ESQ some white some gray ana some
- A BOGUS DIAMOND r


that would put Jim Fisks altogether In the shade,
close fitting coats Of colors varying from sky blue to
Tartan, while the brilliantly polished boors ana
Of these wits by the name OF Widgeon (or Pldgeon),
caused great amusement by his ecccntricities.
the dc Of his head, and taking his immense walk.
ing stick In his left hand in true "Dundreary' STYLE
ne paraded the hall In such an extremely comlcai


But taking these men, who are to act as preservers
OF the public peace on election day. as whole. they
ever been IN these courts. aet 81 0efbH usr


HOW THE BUSINESS WAS DONE.


As the Circuit Court was not sitting yesterday.
Marshal Sharpe gave the newly-appOlnted Commits
sioner Davenport permission to occupy the circuit
Court room or .ne purpose OF swearing these men
filed IN every corner and even the bench
came the ''tug Of war" The Commissioners en-
deavored to appease the angry looking, clamorlng





could but the real fact was plain to every observer
that he was too nervous TO do anything. Here were


TWO THOUSAND MEN HANGING


about the for several hours, and yet nothing
had been done. IL was clear he was not capable OF
acting In the capacity In which ne has been ap-
pointed. He first tried to get the men by wards, so
as to swear in number at one time; that falling
in a measure he had all the commissions placed on
long table, ana then reading through the names
of those selected for any one district-no matter
In what ward-he managed to find some In the
court each time he went through the papers 70
anc IN pfr q mo a. nd hp n


EXCLUDING THE PRESS.


Shortly after these proceedings had commenced.
crowd, he at once gave orders tnat they be all
elected, as the business. being private was not OF
porters 10 BE- anu present" now at the best
this Commissioner bears decidedly. weak
aspect. but yesterday he was weaker and more
timld IN his demeanOr than he has hitherto proven
himself. Not only did he turn the representatives
OF the press away but he gave strict orders to have
even look inside But in this he JAILED, as any ON
clal would fail who became 20 ridiculous as to put
authorized reporters from a public court room in
the United States when business is being transacted
that is not only OF immense pubic interest," but
Also Of great natlonai mPorance ae tfend asser M
the occasion Of one OF the greatest events In ma.
tons HISTORIAN election-is "ot no Importance"
only tends more fully TO confirm the general impres.
sion the ignorance he displays concerning tho
Importance OF the position he holds.


He almost allowed himself to state that Marshal
Sharpe had desired that nothing should be made
public-not even name OF one OF the deputies
But 1t Is scarcely possible tnat the nature OF the
business was considered SO bad ny Marshal Sharpe aa
to render it unit for publication. M Is


MARSHAL SHARPE


has hitherto, however, acted In more dignifed
manner than to withhold information from direct
channel, which ne must know will OOze out In al
indirect way, and 1t Is scarcely probable that he
owes to the public as to prevent the press acquiring
whatever Information might be acquired In the de.
partment over which he presides.


The first floor OF the courts, leading into Judge
Batchford's court represented an immense drinking
bar. The fumes OF tobacco were overwhelmingly
dsagreeable throughout the day, while the staircase
and hall floors were saturated with e6usIons OF TO-