The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-09
THE JERSEY CITY FRAUDS.
Bumstcd Sent to state
Prison.
The Prisoner Sheds Tears While Sentence is Pro-
nounced-vreeland's Sentence Postponed
Judge Bedle on Official Misconduct
Warning to Ofice-Holders

Warning to Office-Holders.
1t Is now about one year and three months since
the Bumsted Ring was egisated into Office to ad-
minister the affairs OF Jersey City. The history OF
that administration is series of robberies on the
public absolutely without parallel The taxpayers
OF Jersey City had but a slight idea OF
the extent to which the Ring had plundered
them till the exposures in the HERALD first
opened their eyes. The Grand Jury investigated
the case, found several indictments, and the first
result of those indictments was the trial OF the
Police Commissioners, which resulted in a verdict
of guilty. The second trial resulted in a similar
verdict against Bumsted the "Head Centre'' OF the
Ring, and Garret Vreeland, his lieutenant. on a
charge Of conspiracy to defraud the city. The sem
tence OF the latter culprits was set down for yes
terday and the Court House was crowded.
At ten O'Clock Judges Bedle, Randolph, Bohn-
stedt and Newkirk took their seats on the bench.
The crler opened the Court, and Judge Bedle in
CURED II the defendants, Bumsted and Vreeland,
were in Court.
Mr.. Winfield, counsel for the prisoners arose and
stated that having been informed OF the illness of
his client, Mr.. Vreeland. he paid visit to
found him suffering from severe attack of
nervous prostraton. He then read certificate,
signed by Drs Buffet and Lutkins, setting forth
that Mr. Vreeland since Sunday had been suffering
from prostraton TO such degree that he could not
leave Hlb HOUSE, prOstTdllOu WAS CduScu Dy Ill
ability to sleep or digest food
Judge Bedle-Is the other defendant, Mr.. Bum
sted hereY
Mr.. Winheld-He did not come Your Honor as
he supposed that in consequence OF the unavod
able absence OF Mr.. Vreeland his attendance would
not be required
Judge Bedle--The Court have had no conference
on this sentence. They purposely postponed the
consideration OF the sentence in order TO see If the
defendants would be here In this as in other
IL Is necessary, for the administration OF justice
That the defendants present themselves before the
defendant to remain away at his option, and i, for
one, will not hear any in reference to this case
until the defendant presents himself here.
Mr.. Winteld--I expect him here soon, Your
Honor.
Judge Bede-About what time do you expect
him?
Mr. winheld-About eleven O'Clock. (Here Mr..
Dixon, associate counsel for the defence, hastily
left the Court and an argument on an insurance
case was heard In the meantime.)
Half an hour afterwards Mr.. Bumsted arrived,
and as he entered the court room there was great
rush ron ahe outside Ills e@ aaymg an
Court would hear any suggestion in regard to the
case.
Mr.. Winfield applied for a postponement Of SEN
tence till Mr.. Vreeland should recover
Judge Bedle-lIas the State anything to say in
The Attorney General (calmly)-We simply do
our duty Your Honor, in moving for Judgment.
Judge Bedle-The Court will retire for conference.
In the meantime Mr. Bumsted will remain in the
custody OF the Sheriff.
Here Mr. Bumsted took seat between his ooun-
sci, Mr.. winfield, ana Sherlff Renharut.
After the lapse Of an hour and half the Judges
returned into Court, and Judge Bedle said:-On
this application the Court are satisfied that Mr..
Vreeland is unable to be present at this time They
are unwilling to sentence him in his absence and
the sentence in his case is therefore postponed till
Friday morning next at ten O'Clock. AS to the
other defendant, Mr.. Bumsted, the Court see no
reason why sentence should be deferred. Mr.. Bum
sted can stand out there. Here the prisoner step.
ped back to the railing in front OF the bench and
dropped tears while the sentence was being pro-
nounced. He never once raised his eyes.)
Judge Bede-This indictment charges you,
William II. Bumsted, and the defendant vreeland,
with being guilty of conspiracy to defraud the
city, and the jury convicted you both. That was a
most excellent jury, and the Court are satisfied
with the verdict. There is an evident distinction
between these two defendants. One held high
position In his hands tS We're committed the In
real estate specuatons outside The conspiracy
was Of that character between an official and an
what they will do In the case of Vreeland.
That you and Vreeland obtained In this
is clear. The Court would be very glad If they
could consistently with their duty save You from
punishment They have eanyassed your case very
that the punishment should be such as TO mark
their disapprobation OF the offence OF which YOU
have been convicted They have listened to
great many appeals in your behalf Should we
take counsel with our sympathes we would gladly
save you from that punishment There is duty,
however, which arises above all sympathy. man
Of means and of responsibility, holding high po-
sition, who can so far forgot hmsefas to do what his
sufficient TO show our condemnation OF the crime.
There seems to be escape on our part but to pro-
nounce sentence that VIII convince the community
that official frauds must cease. In such case as
this the Court would be drect In their duty II they
hestated TO pronounce such a sentence. The Court
hope that the effect of IL will be to teach in
office that this business OF prOsttuting Office to
private gain must stop. In the matter of fine the
Court cannot entertain that question in the case of
Vreeand until II has been made clear that restitution
has been made to the city. As soon as the Court
have been satisfied that restoration has been made
they will hear any suggestion for mitigation or pun
ishment. At the same time the Court do not in
tend to convey that they viii be embarrassed even
by that consideration, but they will not hear any
appeal for mitigation OF punishment till that restora
tion be made. The majority of the Court feel that
they cannot save you In this punishment
from moral turpitude. Not that any OF the
Court have any misgving as to your guilt; but
ment, and felt that it might be done consistently
with duty. The Court state this at the desire OF
Judge Newkirk, and they would add that they are
entirely satisfied with his purity OF purpose. The
same desire anmates us, and we would save you If
we could consistently with our duty. The Court 10
not mean to visit upon you the extreme penalty OF
the law, which is two years. Imprisonment at hard
labor and a fine OF $500 The sentence disqualifes
a man in this State from being a witness and
exercise OF the elective franchise This Is In itself
a very severe punishment. Nothing, therefore,
remains but to pronounce the sentence OF the
confined at hard labor in the State Prison for the
term Of nine months, and thence till the costs OF
the prosecution are paid. The prisoner viii now
be removed
Sheriff Renhard then conveyed the prisoner to
the county jail, the Court In the meantime ordering
the court till the prisoner reached the jail.