The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-11-25
HEILLNn BRISON RfRS.
TIE Case Of n New Jersey OniciuI who was
Eunv icted of MnIlen 81 nee in Onlce.

1.-THE fact is" said the Hon. George W.
Patterson, as he shook hands with SUN re-
porter from behind tile bars Of the county Jail
w Freehold, N. j., yesterday morning, my
official career Is been somewhat varied. First
was Freeholder from my township. Then the
war broke out was full of wind and ambition
ard served two years aud half as licntenant
Of Company G., and aftcrwatd IA Provost Mar
shall Then they made me STATE Prison Inspec-
tr, a township Collector for three years, and
an Asscnhyman for three years Then they
sent me to jail"
Patterson's homestead, his last remaining
property, vas sold 10y the sheriff last week upon
a foreclosure suit. 1t brought less than half Of
It's value II was probably his poverty, In part
that caused him to Withdraw his application to
the supreme Court for new trial. and to appear
before the Court on Mondav night for sentence.
The court room was crowded. ~ Patterson's
counsel. W. II. Nredenburg, announced tis de-
termination to the Court. ard the Prosecutor OF
the Pleas moved for Judgment MIR Nredenburg
and x-Congfcssinan Haieht addressed the
Court in Patterson's behalf To subst ntiatc
part to dcfraud the township, thew produced
checks and other vouchers 10 snow that lie had
lent upward OF $4,000 81 the township money
to william Il Sutphin, one of his bpndsmen.
who was rcuutcd TO he man of wealth M to
the tim OF his failure in 10 mess. Part ~ the
money had been repaid to Patterson US he cN-
pccted, but the rest was not paid, and hcnce his
failure to meet his engagements. They had Oh
I taiucd opinions uVun TINS quc-t ~ from such
eminent counsel as cN A.h'ri!vf M Hsoh'
Cortllu Parker, pud Barker GImuien, who
agreed with them that the supreme Court would
not sustain this Courts obstruction W inc
statute. under when this proof 81 tho absonce
81 csininal intent on the rati ~ patterson had
/ been excluded. Nevertheless. %" hHd Not de-
med that he was techric u guilty. and hence
their conclusion to wave he arplicaton FOR
new trial. and 10 abide the Judgment Of the
! Court upon tie case as " stood.
the prosecutor aud cN Judge neeknan re-
| 50 lndcd ON behalf Of the 81 $50. They aieputed
81 NIIkt "A
| prisoner. urged That there was still denct.
| even allowing him ih" h.uc"- ~ them. ana ned
| that no mistaken sympathy should prevent the
| Court from sei7ins thit orr ortunitv TO ch X
! the tendencies toward Whii 'asance in those
| having control 81 public funds.
Judge Scuider and inc TOUR Associate Judges
| held a long conference there WIS evidently
| some difference Of opinion upon the sentence.
| aud Judge Scudder'. TIE % voice AZ he ~aid'
| " MIR. Patterson, will va please stand up WAS
ominous. patt.fsnn's face was liim. but did not
Judge Scnddcr said TINT the question had
| been difficult one tor the QUIT to determine.
because they could nos look uDon nun as AN
ordinary criminal. The township auth ritics,
| In insutu'iug suit against his hond-mcn. mad
! uer APPS admitted. aud the Court believed. tnat
| lee htd not curichti himself or lis friends a
| the pal Tie expense. and the case thus differed
from some others that mad attracted public at
tcntion. The Judge added that the public had
| spart for him That he had been eicc,ed TO the
| Legislature after the deficiency IN his accounts
had become generally known. and that his
| whole legislative career Was highly esteemed
| throughout the state. But the Judge held that,
accepting his admissions as true, that this
money had been Lost through his over-conh-
dcIce in others, his lOnninc ~ the public moneys
| was a crime, AZ the supreme Court must unani-
mously hold II the question were submitted to
them, whatever might te the opinion of the
| eminent counsel referred TO. Although u might
| not tie morally crime, the Legislature had
| enacted u law making ~ "A breach OF public
trust. ~ they had rignt to do, and he must be
| held responsible.
The sentence WA then pronounced being a
1ne Of Sl,OO and I've months al hard LABOR ia
| the count, jail, md thence until the hne aud
costs are paid.
| last night SAID the reporter as ne took his
leave OF patters N. " Yes answered tie. ." but,
| cpuipuud Il. I'd rather he'd have put the COM
| plimenis at the other emu If his remarks.