The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-07
THE WARREN COUNTY FRAUDS.
Fresh Proceedings Against the RinE-Ex.
senator CornI.h on Trial


BELvIDERE. N. j., May 6.-Fresh proceed
ings have been begun against the Warren
County Ring The Grand Jury have had DR.. j.
v Mattison and ex-Collector Simon A. Cum
Minis from State prison TO testify before them.
and have thus far found thirty-seven indict-
ments. and were discharged. Yesterday morn
ing Prosecutor Harris moved in court the case
of ex-senator Joseph b. Cornish. indicted for
conspiracy to defraud the county OF Warren.
Cornish is jointly indicted with Mattison. Cum
Minis. Strader. and Bulgin, all Of whom are in
in the State prison on other indictments and
John ". Dean. who has turned States evidence.
The indictment charges. in substance that in
MAY last after the election Of the Reform Board
OF Freeholders. and seeing their impending
doom. these persons met at the Poorhouse and
made and executed three notes-one for 80 900
and two for $4,000 each. These notes Cum
Minis. then County Collector accepted. and
turned oyer TO the other conspirators fraudu-
lent vouchers in his possession. which he had
cashed during the year for them. Ii was then
that new book was made, from which all
entry OF these fraudulent bills and receipts was
omitted, which book was submitted by Cum.
minis to the Board OF Freeholders as his original
DR.. ]. V. Mattison. tho first witness for the
State Yesterday. gave history OF the meetings
at the poorhouse. and the plans formed. He
also identified the various fraudulent orders
withdrawn from Cummins's hands. From his
testimony to-day II seems that Cornish knew
OF the purpose OF the meetings at tne poor
house, and accompanied Mr.. Strader. another
OF the conspirators, 10 assist him in covering
up his crimes. Mattison also testified that he
vas in communication with Cornish while in
New York. and while in concealment had re-
ceived from and sent letters to the ex-senator.
Upon being shown the letters by Prosecutor
harris no Identified them rs those he had re-
ceiyed from Cornish. and said that they had
used few cipher teegrams. The letters and
kilograms were identified by Robert A. Pnker-
ua "A fuk fh. n..ts t1Vfa
person, at the time OF the arrest Cornish
seemed to have taken great interest in the
business for him while he was fleeing from
justice and he appears by the letters to have
Kept him well posted as To- the workings OF the
Board. Here Prosecutor Harris read the letters.
sample of which is the following:
DEAR Doc: commenced settlement with cummins to
man and Robeson one in each ear PROMPT him IN hi,
cnnimins only produces vouchers No books Yours.
There were nine OF these letters read and ad-
mitted as evidence.
The next witness called was Simeon A. Cum
minis. ex-County Collector now serving a term
in the New Jersey State prison. Cummins cor
roborated Mattlson's testimony, and brings TO
light very clearly the conspiracy as alleged in
the indictment. The plot. as revealed by Cum
minis. was TO get h i'm as County Collector To take
the forged note OF dead man. or new note
signed by the consprators, and give uD the
forged vouchers. thereby defeating the ends OF
justice; This Cummins refused 20 do. Corn
ish told Cummins at this meeting that II he took
the note he should swear that he did not know
where he got II. The note was payable 10 tho
County Collector Tor the sum OF $4,000, and was
signed by John Tinsman, a wealthy farmer OF
this county. then deceased. Cummins identi-
ged the fraudulent vouchers.
Mr.. Robeson opened for the defence Then
the defendant was called. and after short pre-
paratory examination the court adjourned.
Mauger's American Pointer Playing Cards.
All with Fox Joker rounded corners and patent index
Ado
For Eood reports Of anniysrsAry meetings DatG W.