The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-25
The NEWARK RING TRIALS.

Pavement Conspiracy-M0re Damaging
Testimony Against the OHcfaIs and
Contractors.
The Newark court room was densely crowded
again yesterday with citizens eager to hear the
evidence in the conspiracy trials Of Boss
stainsby and hts alleged co-conspirators in the
matter of the Springfield avenue pave
ment job AS on the three preceding
days OF the trial. there was present also nearly
the entire city government. Comptroller Baker
and Mayor Perry were alone conspicuous by their
alb sence People are beginning to wonder how it
is that the City Hall runs itself the absence OF
the host OF oflcal patriots who day after day at
tend court at the expense of the city, but solely
Tor their own curiosity. Boss Stainsby evinced
more anxiety yesterday than on any day since the
opening. He seemed to feel that the matter was
not such joke as he affected to consider it some
time ago. He moved about considerably, near his
counsel.
THE EVIDENCE YESTERDAY
went to confirm the previous testimony that the
pavement had been most wretchedly lard, and In
many instances IN utter disregard OF the contract
and Of the circumstances OF observing taxpayers.
1t likewise went strongly to prove that the pro-
visions OF the contract had been openly set at
nought by and with the advice and consent OF the
officials One OF the latter inspector Becher)
was cited by straightforward witness as having
on one occasion declared, IN effect, that 1t made
no difference to him how the work was none, as he
got pay quietly from the contractors as well as
openly from the city, the people having foot the
ON opening yesterday Attorney General Gichrist
suggested the propr1ety OF the jury proceeding in
examine It's character.
THE DEFENCE OBJECTED HOWEVER
stating That y had had thorough examination
George W. Cross was recalled. His testimony was,
in brief that he had made measurements OF The
pavement and examinations, and found 1t from
twelve and three-quarters to fourteen inches
Deep inferior stone and literally mixed with
dirt. Counsellor Guild made the witness rather
wrOthy by asking him II he was not drunk on the
occasion when he and Harris had tilt and when
head sGiE n me wod
NAL, and said he thought both Harris and In
spect0r Bechler were intoxicated
CONDUCTORS STATEMENT.
Charles Relmer, q horse car conductor, swore
that he saw dirt carted on the avenue, and ironi-
said no, but It was just as good 1t made no
difference, anyhow, as the property owners had
the contractors had to pay him also. The witness
swore to having measured the pavement and find
ing 1t In some places only nine and onehalf inches,
Buchanan's evidence.
Alderman +. A. Traudt was next sworn. He saw
the work In progress; saw dirt once used, and
forbid its use; .old Stainsby about the complaints
Complaints had also been made to him; tried to
catch the contractors using dirt inferior stone
but could not; refused once to sign an estimate
signed 1t afterwards, subsequent to an interview
with Aldermen Stansby and Quincy. The Alder
man on the stand did not make exactly the same
statements as he made Oh, owing, 1t was sug-
gested, to his imperfect knowledge OF English.
The Attorney General wished TO refresh the Alder
mans memory, but the Court yielded to the Obec-
tiOns OF the defence. The witness, however, cor
robOrated the other witnesses about the inferior
material and scant depth.
MOST IMPORTANT WITNESS
was Rudolph Ledig, who swore that he passed over
the avenue two or three times q day while the
pavement was being laid that at first the pave
derman Traudts house, instead or placing thl-
stone properly by hand, AZ the contract requirede
1t was dumped In and raked over with u hand,
rake. lie testified also that much dirt had been
over it without hurting his horses feet injuring
his wagon much. He had driven over the pave
ment, at the same stage OF inc0mpetOn, or an.
other street South Orange avenue), laid by other
and injured seriously, 1t was SO rough ana free
from dirt. This witness likewise swOrc to seeing
used the Springfield avenue job large quantities
OF very inferior stone. He complained about tbe
OF LAYING 1t to Alderman Statnsby, and Stansby
straightway ordered tile w0rkmen to- pick out
some OF the cheap stone. In company with others
ne made numerous examinations OF the depth or
the pavement. and found the average to be only
twelve incnes instead OF the sixteen required by
the contract, and OF the finer stone portions from
One-third to one-nalf were DIRT. He complained OF
the way the work was done TO Inspector Becher,
and Becher said that
ALDERMAN sTAINsBY AND THE STREET COMMISSIONER
ordered the work done In that manner The wit
ness made q further statement, which caused
quite sensation, to the erect that so disgrace
one occasion Immediately after fall OF rain he. IN
the presence OF q Mr.. Wtghtman, large property
owner along the line OF the avenue, experienced
NO difficulty In thrustinR his hand deeD into the