The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-20
WoMAN VINO KEEps 4 JAIL.
Not Ogreish. but Young mud Pretty - The
Mcnnness of New jersey Politicians.
Lan. LIZ NJ I'M IL

Mennness Of New jersey Politicians.
Prom he Neic lo'L Sunday Era.
Mrs. Ericker {. Jones, for four years aud
half warden Of the Hudson county jail, IL
probably the only woman in the world WHO holds
sucn position. Some seven years ago her hus-
band obtained tho appointment Of ialler At this
institution aud moved to 1t with his bride.
After two years Mr.. Jones was stricken down
with softening Of the brain, which reduced him
to a condition Of idiocy for six months before
his death. When at last this occurred, by unani-
nous vote Of the Board Of Freeholiers the
woman who had really performed the duties Of
TALLER was appointed warden. An attempt to
Dust her from tho position was made last fail,
when politicians wanted the place. and appealed
to Attorney eneral Vanuntta. W no gave AN opin-
ion adverse to the lady's claims.
Hudson county jail stands In the same encos-
ure with the court house, small neat y Kept
park well shaded by fine trees. and standh on
very hie , ground CONN ands view oyer the
Mrs. Jones, wa were ut once shown into the
Office We had expected to see woman Of
middle age and stern aspect. Instead We be-
held pretty young creature, apparently not
moro than twenty-five years old With bright
black ewes, waving brown hair. good TEXTURES,
and a plump figure. She was very neatly dressed
and pleasant In manner. We were conducted
into pretty psrlor and at once begged her To
tell us all about her case, which she did verv
clearly and concisely. When sue was left
widow with two little children. she mad no idea
that this place would be given her. bat II was
rendered TO her by the unanimous vote Of the
board OF Freehoiders. At that time there were
IN jail three desperate criminals, Proctor, Dem
SIN: and Foley bank robbers and some per- ons
feared that woman could not old them, hat
they were safely transferred at the proper time
from the jail to the Stite prison. " And she
added with a bright smile. " never have lost
prisoner, which Is more than many men iailets
can say. Some Of them tried to escape last fan,
nut bad waning in time, sent for the police.
and the attempt was prevented"
And do YOU think There is any danger of
your being turned Outf'
~ don't know. ! intend TO remain In the
place until the end Of my term. II possible, since
solely on the ground of my sex and not Of my
incompetency It ought i9sty to be resisted"
But Attornev-Gener Nannattl gave nm adj
verse opinion 10 the legality Of your appoint
men,." -,
CHRIST has given Hu oiihion lu my laVor. WINE
Mr.. LippincOtt counsel Of the board when was
appointed. also held that was eligible f,r the
place.
She then went on to tell OF some OF the petty
prosecutions which have been resorted To in
order To induce her to resign, as her term Of
ficc Will not expire for two YEAR. When her
| husband was given the position the allowan e
consisted OF forty cents "A day for each prisoner
| fifty cents for each sick person, twenty live
| cents for every initial, and twelve and a half
| cents for every discharge. The daily allpwinc"
| cents and all the other allowances had been en-
tuely done away with. She IL. therefore, AZ thus
| moment running that Jail On twenty i've ceLts u
must pay Tor food, salaries Of assistant iliers.
&C., WAGES OF servants. aud even the furniture Of
Ex Attorney Gichrist's opinion on her case is
an able endorsement Of her POSITION. lie says,
IN the FIRST pl CO. that as Attorney -6cncr VAN
nattl's adverse view WAS not gwen Officially. it Is
not blnoiue ON the Board OF Frcehulders. and
then goes on to citc precedents. Alice Stunb-.
in 1887. was appointed Ovcrs"cr OF the Poor m
the county OF stafford. England. and the Court
OF Kings bench sustained her In the on'p. a
woman was appointed Governor of the Work
House II Chelms ord. England, and She Court
held II to be good appointment Lady Iranglc-
ton was appointed Keeper OF the Gate House
Jail In London. Lady Russell was appointed
Keeper OF the Castle Of Dunnington. All these
cases being reported in StranEe's H., As clearly
cs'abhshlnc the right and duty OF a woman to
hold ONCE.
The So OF Ann, Countess of Pembroke, Dor
! sett. and Montgomery. who ~ sheriff Of Vest
moreland, Is very well known. The opinion
winds NJ 10y saying; iho argument that a
such am oli.c j. douhlV answered First. bv the
array of cases IN wAiCh 10 Is held that she ~
competent. Second. bY the resolution Of the
bO ri when Mrs. Jones was appointed that STE
had for n long time urlor thereto actually kept
tine jolt Will, her husband WAS jdlcr."