The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-09
OFFICIALS IN HOT WATER.

THE CITIZENS OF WARREN COUNTY, N. j., IN
DIcTED FOR FORGERY, ENCOURAGEMENT AND
OTHER CRIMES SEVERAL FOUND GUILTY,
WITH MORE TO HEAR FROM.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
BELvIDERE. N. j.. Jan. 8, 1879.
1t has been strongly alleged for six months past
that ring has been operating in Warren county.
Since the commencement of the present term
of court Thursday last that allegation has been
shown to be founded on fact. Eighteen prominent
citizens of the county. embracing freehnlders, ex-
freeholders excoectors exState senator's aud
of high degree, indicted by the Grand Jury
in September. These men in their official capacity
had as it alleged. plunged the county into debt
to the tune of $1sOOOo Their trials begun last
Thursday DR.. Madison. ex-clcrk. who has been
styled the BOSS Of this little Tammany" being the
first to face the jury. Four cases. founded on
many indictments have fur been tried Dr.
Madison found guilty Of forgery. and there
upon pleaded guilty to three other forgeries
Charles s. Strader exdirector OF the Board tried
on two indictments for forgery and was found mot
The fourth given to the jury this afternoon.
VERY FoRGETFUL.
These cases have shown the inside arrangements of
the ring, Notwithstanding that 1t hard work to get
evidence. Ex-Coector Cummins cashed these forged
orders and is necessarily the principal witness FOR
the prosecution. But Cummins himself, it is al
legged, was member Of the ring and has three in
dictments hanging him. Hence the prosecu-
cution in calling him witness places him be-
tween two fires as it were When being examined he
proves champion ''forgetter" and has even gone
far in as to forget or to pretend to forget
his own check, although both the check and stub
were held before his eyes. Other witnesses, who
either in the tolls Of the ring or through social
political relations sympshze with the defendants,
grow equally forgetful when questioned, but the
truth gradually leaks out.
CONSPIRACY INDICTMENT.
The given to the jury to-day is conspiracy
indictment. One John d. Sliker built joint
bridge between Warren and Morris counties for S743
this connty's share being ss1l 90 Six ireehoiders
the bridge built the committee paid him
the contract price. and goodiy amount
that Freeholders Cox and Strader previously
and without the knowledge of the rest gave
a one hundred and fifty dollar order, and it
is ON this order that Cox Strader and Sliker have
been tried. Frecholders Trimmer and Cox also
gave u secret order for $1g9. So 1t will be
fence set up forgetfuness; that when strader
signed the final order tor the full contract price and
extras lie forgot that he had previously signed one
hundred and fifty dollar order the bridge.
Cox forgot that he had audited S3i9 and Sliker for
got that he had drawn the money. Prosecutor
Harris aptly described them ITO dumb forgetful-
ness prey" The ably summed up on both
Sides The Chief Justice charged strongly against
the accused and the jury retired ut twenty minutes
In about half an hour they returned with verdict
OF guilty against the accused, Cox. Strader and
sliker Tho pronouncing OF sentence on tho three
was deferred.
MORE INDICTMENTS.
While the jury in this out the Grand
Jury presented eleven indictments. IL is expected
that other members Of the ring outside of the
eighteen already indicted will find their tate in this
batch OF bills
BALL STILL ROLLING
Prosecutor Harris moved the of the State
Simon A. Cummins. Edwin q. Bulgin, John N. Owens
and Charles s. Strader. Counsel for the defence
called attention to the fact that j. " Mattson and
John W. Dean, jointly indicted. not called for
trial. This indictment s for conspiracy to dcfrlud
tho county out OF 521S. which amount 1t is alleged
was divided in q hotel room among the six. The en-
panclling of the jury occupied hour and half,
when the Court adjourned.