New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-11-02
JERSEY RASCALITY.
THE TAMMANY RING oUTDoNE.

POLITICAL REVOLUTIONS IN JERSEY cITY-THs
LAST STATE WORSE THAN THE FIRsr-A
CHAPTER OF CRIMES. /,
Hudson County New-Jersey, contains pop,
uaon Of from 10000 10000 souls, Of which number
about 10000 reside Jersey CITY, 1900 In Hoboken, and
the remainder in the adjoining suburbs The county has
usually been strongly Democratic, and gave more than
1000 majority for GOV Randolph in 1863 In the years 1868
aud the Democratic municipal aud county governments
grew very unpopular account OF their extraVaganee
and particularly account Of system OF bouleyards OF
county avenues which had been projected. and which
II conjectured would enrich several officials and
prominent politicians, and load tho county with debt
The Common Council Of Jersey City VIGOROUSLY
corrupt, and the property without regard 70
politcs we're generally alarmed The consequence was
that at the election in 1870, the Republicans had
majority and elected four Of tie six members which the
county then sent TO the Lower House Of the Slate Legs
lature.
Immediately after the election the citizens ,of Jersey
Civ held meetings 10 consider the points Of new city
charter this difficult matter they were favored WIN
the advice and assistance OF William H. Bumstead'
Republican who had been member OF the Board OF Al
dermen Through his active exertions he, with hessrs
Gops and Pangborn both active Republican politicians
were appointed to make the draft Of charter 10 10
submitted to the Legislature its approaching session.
II Is said that Jonathan Dixon. Jr. put their ideas In
legal phrase The general design OF the instruments 10
similar TO that Of the present charter OF this city power
being taken from the Common Council ana vested In
boards aud commissions Tnese commissions were 70 De
appointed by the Lcgislaturen reality by the Repub
can members Of the lower branch from Hudson County
It happened unfortunately that three Of the four Re
pubcans who had been chosen to represent the county
were politicians OF low stamp with confirmed habits
OF spending more money than ther visible Incomes NJ
| forded.
1t was also discovered when the matter came up at
Trenton, that many OF the supposed reformers were
anxious 10 the city members OF the new com
missions Strong opposition, however, was made 10
Bumstead and Gopsl, and 1t is well known that the
former was Obliged TO dlsburse sum exceeding sS,f
to overcome the prejudices against him and get the
charter through with his in It as member OF the
Board Of Public Works Tie charter, with the help OF
the S25 900 and party caucus, Analy got through
Randolph unable 20 stop II, since the Conttu
| ton OF New-Jersey requires only majority vote to
pass bill over the Governors veto. In very short
space Of time Bumstead became the Tweed OF Jersey
| City. The extravaganza OF the new Boards
far surpassed that Of the old city Aldermen
Conception and dishonesty Prevailed in every branch
But the people opened their ey TO what was going on
| very speedily. Notwithstanding the frauds committed
| in favor OF the Republicans, the county gave nearly
5000 majority for Gov! Parker in November 1871 and In
the same month indictments were found by the Grand
Jury against William II. Bumstead and Benjamin +.
welch OF the Board OF Public Works, and Garrett Yree
land real estate agent, for conspng 10 defraud the
city The old Water Board had resolved 20 build an
additional reservoir for enlargng the water supply and
Il was considered necessary TO purchase some real
estate 1t shown on the trial that Bumstead was
| appointed to effect the purchases; that some time
| before that vreeland had bought up the property
| needed, and that in collision with Bumstead
he sold it 70 the city heavy advance on what he had
paid. Bumsteads completely was fully shown by an
examination and comparison Of bank accounts and he
was accordingly convicted and sentenced to nine
months Imprisonment. Vrceland let or on restitu
ton of the money OF which the city had been de
frauded and the payment Of fine OF 5000. There are
other indictments against Bumstead some OF which
he may very possibly be tried after his current term OF
imprisonment has expired. Mr.. Andrew Clark, APP
pointed by Gov Parker Bumsteads place, Is an ex
cellent man and gives general satisfaction 10 the
citizens.
The five Police Commissioners also indicted and
convicted OF conspirng defraud the city. They had
Illegally raised tho ray OF the Police Captains $50 per
quarter, and then assessed them heavily for political
| purposes. Although the whole commission were In
dicted the most guilty ID. NJ. Pritchard and
| Thomas Evanson. These same Police Commissioners
last Fall refused to appoint as judges OF election the
| men recommended by the Democratic County Commit
| tee, but named whom they could bride, and made
use Of them commit such frauds as were necessary 70
elect five Republicans out Of the eight representatives
sent 10 Trenton They materially assisted In this
by the cerrymanderngiof the county under new ap
portionment of the State by the Legislature OF ISL
st grayer charge against the Police Commissioners 10
| derived from the character OF
as Chief of Police This man. McWilliams, certainly
drunken low of person, and all Jersey City is now
absorbed in the issue Of his trial. and that OF his do
tectiye Doyle as instgators OF attempt 10 rob
the First National Bank. lie is generally believed to be
guilty Of this crime, but the evidence, though very
| strong is chiefly that Of the bank robbers
and therefore Objectionable as offered in court
Of law. The Judge yesterday charged the jury
very favoraby to the prisoners but tie jury up TO late
bour were unable to agree and locked up for the
night One Of the jurors has testified that he has been
| approached by friends of McWillams with offers OF
money This trial. which has been reported from day &c
day in THE TRIBUNE is Of tho most remarkable Oh
record It's result is awaited with interest and has be
come IN some sense q matter OF politics The Grant
Republican politicians are deeply interested In the
acdutal OF the prsOners but honest men OF that party
who have watched the proceedings closely do not hest
tate 70 own their convictions that MeWilams Ia guilty
Indictments are also pending against the Fire Commits
soners who are charged with defraudng the city in the
purchase Of horses Of them, who Is supposed to
be the most criminal has disappeared from the city
The disgraceful outrages above briefly summarized
couclusyey the corruption OF the Grant Repubh
can leaders in Hudson County and their unntness for
public trusts The Liberal movement is, OF course
| greatly strengthened in this and the adjoining
counties. Unless great frauds perpetrated at the
polls OF which there is certainly considerable danger
| Hudson County may be counted on for much larger
Liberal majority than she gave Gov Parker last year
The as two Republican Legislatures have dsgraced the
| State Of NewJersey, being venal beyond all previous
| experience and utterly subseryent 10 the railway
| monopones and municipal rings.