The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-17
IN THEIR OWN DEFENCE.
A Declaration by the Grand Jury whose
Foreman was Challenged.

The Grand Jury Of Mddlesex County, N.
j.. who have boon in session in New Bruins
wick since Dec 8. and whose foreman was
challenged by State Prosecutor Cowenhoven.
because he was related to two OF the State Bank
directors who had been accused Of conspiracy
TO dofraud tho dcpostors. concluded their
labors yesterday afternoon. Tho prevailing
opinion in the city was that they would find no
Indictment Enough was let fall by individual
grand jurvmen to show that they were much
incensed by the action OF the State Prosecutor
in challenging Mr.. Fisher. their foroSan. They
declared it to be an imputation upon the whole
panel. and inferentlally upon the Sheriff who
summoned them. As a consequence they re-
Trained from conference with the Prosecutor
during their deliberations. and found their in
dictments and had them framed without his
At az p. NJ. the Grand Jury filed into the
court room. Judge Scudder asked Foreman
Greer, a understanding man, whOdid not seem
70 relish the honor thrust upon him. because
he had stood next on the list TO the retiring
foreman. whether the Grand Jury knew of any
further business requiring their attention. He
blushingy stepped toward and presented
paper to the clerk who read it by direction OF
the Court.
The paper began with preamble. recitng
that whereas they had been summoned MS citi-
zens to perform this duty at great Inconvenience
70 themselves by the newly elected sheriff. they
had been placed In an anomalous position by
the arrest OF certain persons after they had
been summoned. and by sinister limitations
from the Prosecutor Of tho plens: they there
fore. to defend themselves against unwarnnt-
able attack. declared the charges to be unjust aud
untrue. They further declared that as great
public interest II felt as to the action OF the
Grand Jury In the matter Of the directors OF the
State Bank. they had fully considered tho evil
denco and tho accounts laid before them to-
gether with tho law bearing on the subject, and
had failed to discover any attempt on tue part
OF the directors TO deceive or defraud the credit
ors Of the bank.
After further prcsentment derouncing the
accommodations provided for tho Grand Jury
In the Court House as a nuisance detrimental to
their health. the document closed with the re-
quest that this. their solemn declaration, be en-
tered on the court records and published.
Judge Scudder, alter remarking that tho
declaration would be recorded. turned to the
Prosecutor. who was seated at q table facing tho
Grand Jury. and asked: Mr.. Prosecutor do
you know any reason why this Grand Jury
should not be discharged ?"
Prosecutor COwenhoven (risingl-Only the
fact. your Honor, that there are three important
witnesses who were summoned on behalf " the
State in the Investigation OF the complaint
against Abraham VOORHEES, and others. late
Directors Of the State Bank, 10 appear before
the Grand Jury, and who. / understand have
not appeared. May It please the Court should
like to add that what | said on this subject was
said openly in this court room. With lntima-
tons and differences ] have nothing to do. and
think discriminating public will Judge our
respective action.
With this counter declaration tho Prosecutor
took his seat. and the Grand Jury filed out.