The New York herald., 1875-03-26
A FOUL CONSPIRACY BAFFLED.

THE FIGHTING FREEHoLDERs REDEEMED-THR
w1NGEs ISLANDERS REFUTED AND A FALsHY-
ING KEEPER DISMISSED.
The proceedings OF she Board OF Chosen Free.
holders at Jersey City yesterday Will be long re.
me mbered by the taxpayers OF Hudson county.
Whatever errors may have been committed in
connection with the Board during the past year
were fully expiated. Charges OF most serious
character, including that OF immortality toward a
female prisoner il the Penitentiary, intoxication
and ungentlemanly conduct, were preferred
against Mr.. Wickham, member OF the Boaro
and chairman OF the Pententiary Commit.
tee, by Freenolder William Winges, OF
Hoboken committee. consisting Of
Messrs. Young O'Reily and Stuhr with
Mr.. Throckmorton, Director OF the Board, was
appointed to investigate the charges, and the com.
mittee presented their report with the testimony
at a special meeting OF the Board yesterday.
Twenty.one witnesses were examined, and the
committee reported that the charges were not
only disproved, but that they were evidently pre-
sented through malice. Winges, when sworn be-
fore the committee said he had his first in:ormar
ton from certain man; but, although closely
pressed, refused to give the mans name. The
only witnesses who testified against Mr.. Wick.
ham were Mr.. Cox and Deputy Keeper Miller, ana
the antmus OF these men against him was but too
apparent. The committee 1ound him gulitless
OF even an improperly. aud tney recommended
the prompt dismissal or Miller for ms bareiaced
ia isenOod. A vely debate arose on this question.
Mr.. Young, chairman OF the committee, IN urg
Ing the adoption or the report sad that the report
was very mildly drawn compared with what II
might have been. There was something at the
bottom Ol the case which most OF the. members
did not lathom 1t was conspiracy whlch affected
the social standing and fanny relatlonS OF re.
spectacle member OF the Board. II 1t were allowed
to pass no man would be safe rom the attacks oil
the sanderer. The accused gentleman was fuly
exonerated by the Testimony OF SIX gentlemen,
four OF whom he Mr. Young mad known for
several years, and whose veraclty he regarded a.
unlmpeacnabe. (Appause)
TIE Director Toll wed, and SAID tnat II the state.
ment made by Miller as 10 what he saw were true,
and that ne aid not report It, then ne was not f
to be public officer for one n0ur Mr. LOndTegan
here Jumped up and SAID that II man should
relations ne would not allow him TO leave that
moor till atonement would be made. This state.
ment was received with thun1ers or applause
IRON the lobDies, and Wlnges sunk back into MIS-
seat. Run jumped up, and III the effort to sustain
Winges became so personal that an uproar was
created whicn lasted for nearly minute. Mr..
O'Grady compelled him to Withdraw az
offensive expression. AS soon as ne commotlor
subsided the motion 10 expe Miller was put anc
carried. as was also recOmme ndation OF the in
vestigatinQ committee thaG liquors be excluded
from the committee rooms hereafter the com
mttee VIII next INVESTIGATE the charges aRalns
Post, the Keeper or the county barroom, 10 meTl
the Penitentlary.
Mr. WicS0am mas instituted suit aQains
Winges, laying damages at $4,000. lie Will alM
lay the case before the next Grand Jury. Una
greatest determination was manifested py nesru
&l the members ol the Board to have the antn01
Of thsss SANDERS made amsnabls to law.