The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-23
THE JERSEY CITY FRAUDS,

CONTINUATION OF Ine conspiracy TRIAL.
Spicy Testimony OF A Newark Man
How To Get votos In The Board OF
Public WorIks-A "Rich-Poor Man,
The Plot Thickening.
The trial Of Messrs. Bumsted, Welsh and yreeland
City was continued yesterday, before Judges Bedle
and Newkirk.
John II. Platt and Henry Arthur, the latter en-
gagged at one time in Platts Office, were examined
Plat testified that he was connected with Mr. Vree-
land In the purchase of property for the new
voir and received his share Of the commissions in
these transactions.
Mr.. Jacob Skinkle, of Newark, gave some very
important testimony. Mr.. Vreeland sought him
out, and meeting in reference to the sale of Skim
ke's property was held between them at the Office
of the Board Of Public Works in Jersey City. Mr..
Vreeland told him he had been authorized by the
Board to purchase property ''n that neghbor-
hood.n Skinkle offered to sell his property
about sixteen lots-for $4,000. He was IN
troduced to Benjamin F. Welsh ut that meeting
by Mr.. Vreeland. The witness then continued as
ws:-Mr. Vreeland spoke about commissioners
being appointed; he said they preferred to buy it
without having any commissioners appointed;
told them (Vreeand and Welsh that rather than
have any commissioners appointed, and have any
trouble with them, would sell the property for
$4,000; Welsh told Vreeland he did not think they
wanted the whole property; In subsequent con-
versation with vreeland he asked me how much
money would want on the property II he should
ferred to take the property from him rather
than from other parties; he said in answer to my
question that he was not permanently employed by
the Board, but that he received commissions from
the Board on all the property he purchased he said
he should charge me two and half per cent COM
mission and that other property owners had paid
him commissions; In another conversation he said
that he had great difficulty In getting my matter
through; that one of the members Of the Board
ti.l,t tad tinrv thn
property until he ''saw'' him; he called on Bray
and asked him why he objected to this when he
had voted for the others, and he replied that the
other parties had paid him commission for voting
to put theirs throueh Vreeland further stated to
me that he told Bray he would give him his Vree-
land's) two and half per cent and take chances
OF getting something from me remarked that
felt surprised that man Of Mr.. Bray's position
would sell himself out for such a small
those rich-poor men Qaughter) who always
wanted money; stated to him finally that If he did
get back'what he paid to Mr.. Bray he should have
1t from me. On cross examination by Mr. Winfield
witness said :-Vreeland called on me for his COM
mission; told him would pay the two and hall,
and Mr. Platt said, "wha has Platt to do wthits''
Mr.. Sandford cashier of the First National Bank,
testified to the handwriting OF Mr.. Vreeland IN
letter sent by the latter to Mr.. Skinkc. The letter
was read by the District Attorney and was as fol-
lows:--
DEAR srn have secured three votes Of the Board Of
can make the commission Ave per cent viii divide with
the fourth man. Send me word W thout delay Yours
truly, GARRETT NREELAND
This letter was dated August s, 1871.
The next witness was Charles @. Nico, who was
deputed by Messrs. Gillett and Bray, Of the Board
OF Public Works to make estimate OF the vaule Of
the property required for the new reservoir He
testified that the Benedict property was not worth
more than twenty-five thousand dollars lthe Board
OF Public Works paid S53 900 for itl had CONVEX.
sation with Mr.. Vrecland, In Platts ONCE; he said
tho price ] asked for my property was
TOO hiph: | remarked that he made
great deal OF fuss about my property when
IN the other cases he paid the prices
asked; he replied that ho was situated diIerenty
then. that he was acting for the city, and had UNI
limited power; | told him that he had made good
thing out OF the city; that he ought to be indicted
nv tile Grand Jury and that he had cheated the city
ONT OF several thousand dollars; lie replied that he
did not care about the Grand Juryi when spoke
about the Benedict property he said That that was
his business, to make money.
The Court adjourned Till this morning,