The New York herald., 1878-02-26
JERSEY JUSTICE.

COLONEL FRERsE GOES TO STATE PRISON FOR
TAX RECEIVER, TWO YEARS AND AN EDITOR,
FOR LIBEL, is SENT 10 JAIL AND FINED.
TRENTON. Feb. 25, 1878.
The Mercer County Court room in this city this
morning presented a scene OF unusual animation on
account OF the sentencing OF five prominent ctizens
men who had heretofore held high characters IN
the community Ore, Colonel Jacob X. FIeese,
was at various times candidate for Governor,
and for many years past he took prominen part in
all movements for reform, retrcnchment In public
expenditures, reduction OF taxation, &c, &c. He
evon went through the State delivering lectures to
farmers on these subjects and also proved himself
TO os an eloquent speaker. During all this
time hc held tho position Of treasurer OF
tho State Savings Bank in this city and his
son. Harry c., acted as cashier. For long time
suspicious have existed IN the minds Of some people
that this Institution was unsound in fact
core. Al last these doubts proved well founded, and
It was discovered that $50, 900 belonging prnci-
paly TO poor people, sucn as widows, laborers
mechanics, &C., had been pocketed by the Frcese
family. Louis K, one OF the sons, had received over
$40 Oo0 on his note but II Is believed that this
only blind, so TO speak, 10 try and cover the athcrs
money, he making his sons dupes and plant tools 10
his knavery An invest'gation was had into the
three Freeses-Jacob r., Harry G anu Louis K.-wero
indicted by the Grand Jury for conspiracy deiraud
unas Of the bank TO the indlctu,ents they as nrss
pleaded not guilty, but subsequently retractcd that
plea aud entered QUE o! non cu1 contemde,e. To-day
they were called up tor sentence Alter long consul
tatou with the otncr Judges the Cp.et justice called
JACOB X. Freese TO stand up The Chie Justice then
sad-"Tho Court regrets that In your case there has
not been found single circumstance OF mitigation.
You were indicted Tor embezziiug the moneys the
savings bank oil which you were an officer. You were
the people conhded TO you. You violated the
law by combinations ana vol arranged plans
Tor long period OF time. You cuueavored
10 shit the responsibility on your own children The
Impressions you tried 10 create In lavor all
fase You are the man VINO took all the money.
The sentence OF the Court that Tor empezzng you
be conhDei IN the State Prison hard labor three
you be confined IN the State Prison nara labor tor
TWO years; the second term TO commence A. tue expi
ration OF the ars making the whole term five years"
LED AsTRAY BY THEIR FATHER.
Louis X. and Harry G. Freeze then told to
stand up. The Court said that IT had some difficulty
in their cases as they were peculiar ones. Tney
stood IN different position from that OF tier father,
because they had been used as tools by him under
their fathers directions, they had behaved We'll Ia
not revealing the situation OF AFFAIRS when the ro-
sponsointy was endeavorsd TO DO shifted upon tnem
II difficult know what 10 do but Tue Court h ad
determined 10 punish them with leniency Each was
then sentenced to SIX months IN the county jail.
DISHONEST TAX RECEIVER
Waiter Baiilett the defautinx receiver OF taxes,
was then called. His counsel, Mr. f. I. Green, mad0
an appeal to have justice tempered with mercy The
been convicted OF an offence that WIS alarm
ngly common Al the present time, the enbezzline
OF public moneys with whcn he had been intrusted
by his fellow citizens as public officer and II was
necessary that oneuders should understand that
was State Prison offence. The Court tet sorry for
bis family and rlends but the Court here pro.
tect tho public against Offenders, and tho sen tence
was that he be- couhned in the state Prison Tor Two
years.
MALICIOUS LIBEL.
Joseph A. Beecher, being ordered to stand up, the
Court said that the prisoner understood tho position
in winch he had placed himself He had been indicted
Tor lDe. The Court was satisfied that the matter
published by MIN with the iull knowledge that II was
not true aud referred to the high calling editor
and the powerful agency he had at his command.
knowingly aud wiully published libel Tor
mercenary motives. That gentleman oil
honorable profession should lend himself to deama-
tory writings tor purposes OF gam disgrace to
the profession TO winch he belonged. The offence
was grave one but the Court not here TO vind-
cate the wronged party but TO repress ana prevent
the evil The sentence was that he be Imprisoned IN
the county jail Tor thirty days and that he pay ne
Oi $3.50 Bcecher had published a libel on secretary
OF state kelsey and Henry s. Little. Clorx OF tho
Court Of Chancery
During the proceedings tie court crowded
TO and the greatest Interest manifested by
ALL
Tho OF Frank +. Patterson, who had PLEADED
non vuit 10 an Indictment charging him with libel, was
taken 10 the Supreme Court on = question OF law.