New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-06-10
Jersey CITY JrSTICE.
COMMISSIONER BUMSTED SENTENCED TO NINE
MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.

MONTHS IMPRISONMENT.
The Hudson County Courthouse, in Jersey
City was the scene last Saturday morning of great ex
element caused by the anticipated sentence of Com
missioner VIM H. Bumsted and Garrett II. Yreeland for
conspiracy to defraud the city treasury of $4,000
When Judge Bedle called the cases, Mr.. Winfield of
counsel for the accused presented to the Court ply
scan's certificate which stated that Mr.. Vreeland's
health would not permit his attendance upon the Court
at present. Bumsted hearing of vreelands illness, did
not appear, but. after the certificate had been read
Judge Bode glanced inquiringly around the room for
the other cuprt and not seeing him, anxOusly asked
his counsel where he was Mr.. Winfield replied that he
had supposed Mr.. Vreeands sickness would excuse Mr.
Bumsted from attendance but he could send for him
he was wanted. The Judge said that he most as
suredly wanted, and Bumsted presently appeared,
followed by immense crowd applying all kinds OF
opprobrous ephets to him. He closely guarded by
Sheriff and officers Of the Court and advanced TO the
bar with aunty air. After he was seated the Court
house suddenly filed with persons anxious to get
glance at him. His eyes we're blood-shot his face
worried expression and though he tried to appear I'M
concerned his actions plainly showed his nervous agta
ton Judge Bede announced that he and his associates
Judges Randolph, Newkrk and Bohnstedt, would re-
tire 20 consider the for short time. After an
hours absence Judges returned, and as they took
their the prisoner watched their faces with eager
interest Judge Bedle said:
upon the application for pOstponemen OF sentence,
thelCOurt entirety satisfied, rs far as MI Nreeand
concerned that he Is unable 10 be present The Court
have fully informed themselves that point and are
unwilling sentence Mr.. Yreeland in his absence. His
Is not in that class IN which me Court would nc
justified in doing The Court Will therefore postpone
sentence In Mr. Vreeands case until Friday morning
next at 10 o'clock and if Mr.. Vreeand Is able the Court
will expect him be present. As 70 Mr.. Bumsted, the
Court no reason why sentence should be postponed
The prisoner, Mr. Bumsted, may staud up
When the Judge had delivered this short speech the
prisoner came forward and leaning upon the railing
front Of the Judges desk, listened neryOusly to the
following remarks:
"This indictment charges Won, William H. Bumsted and
the defendant Nreeland, with being guilty OF conspiracy
That amOst eXceenjuy and the Court are satisfied
with the verdict. There is an evident distinction between
these defendants One held high position. Into
his hands committed the interests OF the city, and
the other engaged in real estate specuaOn outside
I unnecessary for the Court TO state what they will do
the OF Veeland. That you ana Vreeand obtained
IN TINS case Sl5OJ more man was pau 10 e aud owners
is clear, The Court would be very glad If they could
nent. They have canvassed your case very
thoroughly, and they have TO the conclusion
their dSapprobatlOn Of the oense OF which you have
been convicted They have listened 10 a great many
appeals III your behalf Should we take counsel with
sympaties would gladly save you from that punish
Ineut. There is duty however, which arises above all
ing high position, who far forget himself TO
what his position forbds, should be visited with pun
crime. There to be escape part but 10
pronounce sentence that will convince the community
the Court would be derelict their duty II they hest
tated % pronounce such sentence. The Court hope
that the effect OF II will be TO teach in Office that this
business Of prOstitutng Office TO private gain must
stop. In the matter OF fine the Court can
not entertain that question in the case Of
Vreeland until II has been made clear that restitution
has been made 10 the city. As the Court have
satisfied that restoration has been made they will hear
any suggestion for mitigation of punishment At the
time the Court do not intend 70 convey that they
Will DO embarrassed even by that considerations but
they Will not hear any appeal for mitigation punish
ment till that restoration be made. The majority OF the
Court feel that they cannot you in this punishment
from moral turpitude. Not that any OF the Court have
any misg1ying as TO your guilt but Judge Newkirk
hoped you from that punishment and felt that
il might be done consistently with duty. The Court
state this at the desire of Judge Newkirk, and
they would add that they entirely satisfied
with his purity OF purpose The desire ami
mates US and would save YOU If
could consistently with duty. The Court do not
mean 10 visit upon YOU the EXTREMIST penalty of the
law which is two years imprisonment at hard labor and
fine Of $500 The sentence disquali1es in this
State from being witness and from exercising the
elective franchise. This is in itself very severe
punishment. Nothing therefore, remains but to pro-
uounce the sentence OF the Court which T., that YOU
William II. Bunsted, be confined at hard labor in the
State Prison for the term OF nine months, and thence
till the Of the prosecution are paid. The prisoner
Will now be removed"
The culpr listened to these remarks with the closest
attention and the Judge pronounced the sentence
bowed his head and turned to the Sheriff, who imme-
diately led him to the jail