The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-21

WARREN COUNTY FRAUDS.

THE STONE CONSPIRACY CASE ENDS IN YER
DICT OF AcQUIrTAL FOR THE AccUsED=Ex-
TRAoRDINARY PRACTICE OF JUSTICE OF THE
PEAcE-TRIAL OF THE PHILLIpsBURG FRAUDS
BEGUN.
BELvIDEnE, N. j., Jan. 90. 1879.
When the Warren County Court assembled this
morning it was rumored that the great "poorhouse
conspiracy would 60 this term. This
proved true. and the went owing. it is said.
to the absence of very necessary witnesses. who
not possibly be reached in time for this term Of
court.
THE STONE CONSPIRACY.
The Of Jacob j. Stone was certainly the dryest
yet presented, and during the morning session OF
the Court the audience thinned out considerably.
The fact of the name OF the defendant being Stone
and the case being about stone not always
ducive to clear understanding as to whether Stone
stone referred to by witnesses. The
introduction of young man named Stealing by the
defence also gave opportunity for counsel to ring
the changes upon Stone Stealing stone. until the
heads of the audience ached. The trial also
strumental in developing new side 0f the Warren
county irauds-s side winch Chief Justice BeasiJ
commented on most severely. Joseph X. Arndt, q
Justice of the Peace OF the county. was put tue
stand to testify to the affidavit on the bogus
stone order which purported to have been taken by
him. During his examination he made the astonish-
ing admission that he frequently took the afdavts
Of men who did not appear before him. Mr. Jesse
l.. Carhart had frequently come before him, and.
handing him bill signed by. say John Smith. would
say IL was all right. Judge Arndt would thereupon
place his seal upon the paper and certify that John
Smith had personally appeared before him and
sworn.
mot GUILTY."
mass of other testimony was offered on both
sides, proving beyond q doubt that tine coufny had
been defrauded. but not showing clearly that Stone
anything but an innocent party to the frauds.
Mr.. b. c. Frost summed up for Mr.. Stone and Dis
trict Attorney Harris for the prosecution. after
favor of the defendant. In his charge the Chief
Justice took occasion to refer to the testimony
of Justice of the Peace Arndt showing that he
entirely untitled for the Office This portion of the
Judges charge heartily Endorsed by number OF
lawyers who sfterward congregated in an anteroom
to discuss tho days proceedings.
The jury, after being out ABOUT an hour, came In
with verdict OF not guilty. Mr.. Simon A. Cumminss
of tho convicted 'excounty collectors, who was
sitting MIR. Stone when the jury came in, con-
graduated him ON his scqutta.
PIiIILIpsBUaG FRAUDS
Tho first Of the Phillipsburg city frauds was
next called by Prosecutor Harris. The indictments
presented against Francis McDermott one OF the
City Council. These indictments have been found
against large number of city officials The indict-
inents occasion, II anything. more excitement thnn
the county cuses, which nearly all conciuueu ana
IL expected that the revelations fraud anu rsscay
to be brought out by the prosecution VIII overtop
anything yet investigated The case against McDer.
mott presented by the prosecution Is 10 the enecs
that hcDermott became possessed OF some coupons
belonging to city bonds amounting 10 S4o 20, II
charged that he presented these coupons 10 jesse f.
t,arhart. the City Treasurer who paid them. giving
McDermott one-half Of the money anu keeping the
other half himself. . .
coupons and Mr.. McDermott swore positively that
The Court adjourned with the case still on.