The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-13
THE MURDERED POLICEMAN.
MRS. SMITHS INNOCENCE VIGOROUSLY As
SERTED BY HER MorHER-HYsTERIA AND

MRS. SMITHS INNOCENCE VIGOROUSLY As
RPILEPsY.
Mrs. Cannon, mother Of Mrs. Jennie Smith, the
widow Of Police OG,csr Richard H. Smith, yesterday
visited Police Headquarters Jersey City to SEQ her
imprisoned daughter. Almost her nrst remark on
entering the Chers apartments was 70 excaim sIts
damned lie; my daughter never killed Dick smith"
She closetod with Chief for about half hour,
and tho result OF tho interview not made known.
1t Is expected that "Cove" Benefits counsel, Mr..
James FIemming viii apply to Judge Davis to-day or
Tor examination, at which Bennett feels
oonaden. that he wil BE- able 20 clear himself Of any
Dr.. Leonard J. Gordon, prominent physician Of
Jersey City, when spoken to yesterday IN regard
woman may DO hys,ericsl and epilep,ic a.
the same tme, there being no reason why one should
preclude the other. He has mado special study OF
eases Of hys.eris and epilepsy and cited from Tros
Aeaus clinical medclne, edition OF 1879 In which that
inc mental faculties OF which Dement'S and idioey
are the ultimate expressions y well known
p 'ss. ssd hs ~ ssss m o s s''is.
vduas intellectual activity Is perfect, violent
dts OF passion which they cannot master point TO
curate notion OF the sort Of rage that suddenly pos.
sessss tho epileptc during these sudden attacks Of
, ground - ina. the Attention Of those IN
authority and medical men cannot be too
earnestly drawn 70 enoSe Co0QfuOnS OF IubJtuoUvo
and blind vlosnoe which all authorities agree
results Of cpileptc nts They may lead 10 the indic-
ton OF grave wounds, com misson OF suicide, noml.
responsible In any degree for tile acts OF violence
psrpctraied BY him during this automatic though
s'covz.' BENEFITS QUAKrKas IN TIE PRISON.
A statement has been circulated 20 ths effect that
the Jersey City Prison is In aidissraceiay !hy CON
dtion. and IN order investigate the truth Of the
rumor HERALD reporter visited the prison ycster-
Ss sys 10 writer 70
vestiration. Tho cells were found 10 DO muoh larger
than those 10 New York police stations. they s are
OF cells leaving ample room Tor prisoner walk
up and down If no 50 desires rhs interior walls are
painted black about two feet from the noor and the
walls and ceilings arc whitewashed. There was an ap
pearancs OF nextness about the corridors and In
Tor tho rumor that the prssn was in q nithy oond-
tion. The ventilation Is excellent and there appears
10 DO entire absence OF that offensive odor COM
.covE'' sxxsurr DENIES.
The writer permitted to converse with Covert
Bennett as to his sanafy condition and 10 relation
TO the statements made that no had boon Ill treated
by The authorities. Tho following was the converse
O. Mr. Bennett. it has been stated that you are III
treated hero and that your cell 10 In iithy condi.
ton; nt sos 4. Well, my cell Is all right; there 10
o. We're YOU obliged 70 throw away your clothing
or any portion OF II on account OF vsrminf A. NO,
O. Have you found any vermiu In your cell at all
A. No, sir; have not
"
venionces? A. No. Il is not; bus had TO sleep TWO
nights without bodolothes OF any kind.
O Arc you now PROVIDED with shsms A. Oh, yes;
have plenty now. ESQ
@ How do thcy feed your A. buy my own food,
and fortunately have NOT been obliged tosa the prison
fare yet -1t
O. Have you any complaint to make ~ 70 your gen
erai treai ment heref A. Well, yes. d. not ike the
company am in The language sometimes 10 shock
Ing when drunken prisoners are brought ~, and -
young brought mp as was IL 10 very.saplsasant
10 listen 10 It, Not only that but It tendsSS degrade
me. ~"
O. With that exception. then, you have NO oom-
plalnt mako against the PRISON. A. No; NO Other
complaint except that they did not give mo change
OF linen Tor q long Time
Chief Of Police Nathan says that Bennett was al
lowed his and everything he asked Tor. except
razor Just The police authorities got pos
session of hts effects. They IN tho haDqs OF the
Coroner Tor day or two, and a. soon a. ne turned
them over Bennett allowed every Nccssary
He Is also allowed walk 10 tue corridors Whenever
he wants TO in charge oil an officer 4@N.
0rHER COUNSEL.
The statement made recently that private counsel
ad been engaged assist the District Attorney In tho
prosecution OF the case, II would seem, Is misaks
No such counsel has been engaged ana the District
An ALI haat he cnse n