The preliminary inquiry into the charge against Detectives was at
last brought to a close on Saturday evening by the committal for trial of all the parties accused. Just before the end of the case, Mr. Froggatt read in his own defence two remarkable docu- ments purporting to be copies of the legal opinions of Mr. A. E. Hardy and the Solicitor-General, given at the instance of the Crown, and condemning the institution of proceedings against himself. Mr. Froggatt stated that the opinion had been sent to him anonymously, but he challenged the counsel for the Crown to deny their authenticity. Mr. Poland was unfortunately absent, and Mr. Cowie, who represented him, thought proper to remain silent. If the copies really are genuine, it would appear that other departments beside the Detective require overhauling. All engaged in the investigation parted with mutual congratula- tions, in which the public certainly cannot join, for anything more unsatisfactory than the conduct of the inquiry it is not easy to conceive. It was protracted through eleven weeks, and occupied the chief magistrate of Bow Street altogether eight-and-twenty days. Throughout this long period, too, the five unfortunate men accused have been at the heavy expense of retaining counsel to watch their interests. And when all is over, in return for the waste of the public time and the fines imposed on the prisoners, nothing is concluded. All the evidence has to be given over again. Decidedly our criminal procedure needs reform.
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