The New York herald., 1879-03-01
Serious Charges of Dishonesty Made
Against New Jersey Officials.
SUSSEX COUNTYS SENSATION
The Taxpayers Demand Searching Investiga-
ton of the Alleged Frauds.


county of Sussex. Here at the county seat the news
of the trials and the convictions eagerly
sought for and discussed as in Warren, and with
more than neighborly interest For several years
back rumors have flown hither and thther to the
effect that ring existed here as in Warren county.
and during the present winter these suspicious be-
cerainties in the minds of most of the inhab-
itants. The interest under the circumstances could
not but be intense. The local newspapers
teemed with information. and charges
thrown violently in every direction. The county
became more or less divided. although Newton is
considered the stronghold of the ring if it really has
stronghold anywhere. The democratic party-the
party in power-became divided into what the public
call ring democrats and "anti-rng" democrats.
The excitement continued to increase. until finally
the appointment of committee by the Board of
Freeholders somewhat allayed it. This committee
was appointed the 30th of January and is yet in
session. It consisted OF Thomas T. Simonson, chair
man, Of Vernon township and an ex-sheriff of the
county; William McDanolds of Branchville, an ex-
judge of the Court of Common Pleas; Horace f.
Rude of Hardystone township a builder; james b.
Huston. of Lafayette township. ex-judge of the
Court of Common Pleas; L. Davenport, of Vantage
township. farmer; NJ. r. King. of Stanhope, mer
chant John J. Vansckle. Of Sandystone township,
farmer; o. p. Armstrong. of Lafayette township,
farmer. These all members Of the Board
of Freeholders. 1t decided by this committee to
go back ten years in the accounts of the county and
make thorough investigation. This investigation
went for time without result, ana gradually
rumors began to prevail that it simply white
washing affair." If. said many, there is to be an in
vestigation why not have an investigation by men
who not interested personally in whitewash :?
The committee. they say, are simply investigating
themselves and their fellow members of the Board
Instead of going back ten years they back only
SIX and examined the County Collectors vouchers
which they report as correct. 1t is claimed, how
ever that there notes there representing $65
of which there no itemzed statements. For what
that $4,000 paid ask the anti-ring men.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
The reformers make the following statements con-
cerning the finances Of the county From 1870 to
1877 there collected in taxes $40 900 more than
necessary to defray the expenses of the county
During this time the county was run in debt to the
amount of S64, 900, besides the $4,000 of surplus
revenue which was spent 1t is further claimed that
about SIT 900 loaned to different institutions and
private persons. No interest it is SAID, has been
turned on this money for number Of years. 1t is
also claimed that $4,000 of the vouchers aud
tied by the Director of the Board and not by the
Board itself. The expenses of the county dropped
$24 900 year soon as the talk of investigation
began and the reformers very pertnently ask where
pard County Collector in 1874. 1875. 1876, 1878
and part of the present year. and the committee
have just completed an examination Of his accounts
| He first elected in May, 1873, and went into
Office with county debt of S1155 95. exclusive of
the school and surplus revenue debts Toward the
close OF the winter Of 1856 it began to be whis-
pered about that the county debt had been
to s5Oooo This was afterward found to be true.
1t and is still openly charged that very con-
siderable part of this debt grew cut of alleged
stealings at the County Poor House.
JUDICIAL INVESTIGATION.
After the commencement OF the investigation.
when the reformers anti-ring men became con-
vinced that it would be at the best whitewashing
affair. steps were taken to make an investigation
possible To this end it was necessary to invoke the
aid of the Legislature The following bill in
troduced and passed, notwithstanding the most de-
termined opposition
AN ACT to Provide for the Summary Investigation Of
Be /, enacted by the and General Assembly
the state of New Jersey that twenty freehclcrs
county in this state shsi present to any justice Of the
setting forth "i are a
have paid taxes on real estas within one year and that
porated village. borough, town or city. or Of such
eomGs county are gehs m thu d@~ or eGrrpty eM
ten days 70 discussing ocer and the legislative
make summary Investigation into the affairs Of Such
"eh and d. ay @ asehs me
to ss ss & uas in e % s ss as ss s %
tive body OF any such corporation to obey any orders Of
refusal failure obey such orders be punished
such as,iee as for contempt, the costs incurred under
by the disbursing officer of the corporation
And be it enacted that this act shall take effect i'm
mcdiately.
l.
most CONSERVATION into the ranks of the ring The
writer called upon Mr.. Jacob l.. Swaze president Of
| the Merchants National Bank here Mr. Swaze is a
relative of Mr.. Caleb Swaze, of Warren county, who
prominent there i'll breaking up the ring.
Mr.. Swaze is considered very wealthy man and is
thought to be the largest taxpayer in Newton He is
| foremost among the anti-ring men, and is deter
mined that proper investigation shall be had. In
reply to question as to the specific charges against
the ring he said-
1T is very hard to make them. because we cannot
| get at the books or an itenzed account. But this
a, tV,Ax l..lt has l.Ac,,
100000 in few years and we want to find out
| who has got the money
| OPERATIONS OF THE RING.
REPoRrER-Do you think there has been stealing
| hero as there was in Warren county?
| Mr.. swAzE-well. not exactly. The ring men here
| are men of more brains than the Warren county
| men, and they are controlled by a shrewd sharp
| lawyer who makes them proceed very carefully |
| do not think that the vouchers have been altered
here they there; but it is not impossible.
| Outrageous charges have been made for everything
purchased for the county and very loose state of
| REpoRrER--Do you think that money has really
been stolen by the ringg
Mr.. SwAZE-Most assurcdly money has been stolen
| from the county. aud good deal OF 1t, too
REronrxn-What about the county poorhouse2
| Mr.. SwAzE-Wcli, Edwin Bcrans went in there as
steward in 1854, think. He was not worth dollar
and was in debt His salary was $3.50 year and in
two years he paid debt OF $1,000. His salary was
raised from time to timc but was never $500 at
| any time He went out i'll 1876. In the meantime
he had purchased farm in this county for $1,000
| and an interest in at Rdgcwood, Bergen county,
| for SO 1000 He ran the expenses OF the poorhouse
| from $1,000 year to over 100000. These facts
want the committee now in session to show up, but
they will not.
There have been other frauds, of coursc?"
''Yes lots of them. Take bridges. for instance II
has been the custom for years the part of of
the Freeholdcrs to sell the right to build to some
contractor and charge very large for their
vices. For instance, two members sold the right 10
| contractor to build a small bridge for sis and
brought in bill to the county for 800 for their SER
| vices"
| "Was IL paidY'
"Of course it was paid. All these things were paid;
| that's the whole trouble"
How you going 20 get at the truth?'
''We will get at IL surely. We will carry--that is.
| the honest of the county-thc March elections.
We will then have iair committee and fair invcs-
| tigaton, and searching one"
''wi there be any indictmcntsy
''Ihc ring controls the Sheriff. James l.. Decker. He
| summons the Grand Jury. He elected by only
hfty-six majority, and are going to try to get rid
| OF him. There fraud in his township at
| the election, and we are going to throw him out II
possible lie is an entirely unscrupuous politician.
Hnt n fail at all nther points fall haak