The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-30
THE JERSEY CITY FRAUDS.
Seventh Days Proceedings-A singular Scene in
Court-One Of the Jurors is Suspected and
Examined-The Defence Opened
Bumsted on the Stand.

Yesterday was the seventh day OF the trial Of
Bumsted, Welsh and vrceland in Jersey City.
Soon after the opening OF the Court the Attorney
General arose, and in n very grave tone OF voice
called the attention OF the Court to what he re-
garded as very serious matter One OF the
jurors, william c. Bockus, In the employ Of the
Board of Public Works, and he desired to have
some explanation from that gentleman. Mr.
Bockus, who is man Of very venerable appear
ance, with full growth of gray beard
and mstache here arose and stated that he had not
been in the employ Of said Board since the trial COM
menced, nor was he III the employ of Mr.. Gillett
He was employed only for fifteen days, and then
only by the unanimous request Of the owners along
the line Of the property, in which he too was in
terested. He superintendent the improvements on
behalf Of the property owners who expressed their
dlstrust OF the city authorities. Mr. Cillett cor.
roborated this statement, the juror took his seat
and the case proceeded. ,t
The District Attorney announced that the state
had only one more witness to call, and that was
Mr.. Martin, Of the Board of Public Works, and he
was ILL
that they would prove the entire innocence OF each
OF the defendants He called BENJAMIN +. Welsh,
one of the defendants, TO the stand and elected his
version OF the transactions between him and the
other defendants.
W. II. Bumsted was then placed on the stand
and subjected to % lengthy examination which
was interrupted when the Attorney General OBJ
jected to the admission of the checks which the
State had called on the defence to produce long
ago, but which they failed TO do. The Court de.
cded that the checks up to certain date were adj
mssbe, not in the strict rule OF the law but to give
the defence all the benefit Of the privileges which
they claimed. The witness was preceding TO reply
to his counsel while referring TO his bank book when
the Attorney General objected and the Court
inmates the Attorney General again called The at
tention OF the Court to the fact that the witness
was referring to memorandum sheet
Witness rather nettled This il no mcmoran-
dunn; You can it addressing the Court and
satisfy yourself.
Mr. Dxon-We ask an exception to Your Honor's
ruling on that far as the bank book Is concerned.
Judge Bedle-The Court will allow you no excep-
,GWitness conlinucd-Never employed vreeand as
agent for the city: never knew Of his being en-
ployed: never heard anything about 1t; on one &C.
casion requested him In my office TO make a tender
for some property for the city; Gett was present.
How did the city come to pay for those searchess
Some introduced the subject In the office one
day; Mr. Vreeand was present; stated That we
wanted the searches; Vrecland said we could have
them provided we paid Tor them; never received
anything, nor did obtain promise that should
receive ANYTHING from Nrceand i'll any OF his trans
actions with the city,
The witness was subjected to crosse Examination
by the Attorney General, who was only warming mp
to his work when the Court adjourned The Attof-
ney General crowded In the facts and figures so
rapidly That the witness, following Bray's example,
sought refuge In the stcrc0typed reply, al don't
Know At length the Court interposed and di.
rected several questions such as, "Dd you have
any suspicion at the time VTeeland borrowed the
$4,000 nom you for what purpose he wanted II Z"
A. did not.
Attorney Genera-How did vrccand come 10
make the communication to you about the property
III don't KNOW The witness acknowledged that
ne gave Instructions to the cashier OF the second
Na1ional Bank not TO allow an examination OF the
bank books by the District Attorney. Mr.. Dixon
objected, but the Court Overruled the objection
TIE crosscxamination will be continued to-day
after winch Mr.. Vrccand will be placed on the
stand. In consequence of the unexpccted length
OF the trial IL believed the Cooncy murder trial
viii be postponed