The New York herald., 1879-10-02
WE'RE THE POLICE TO BLAME?

FATHER M'cARrHY's ADVENTURE THE sU BJEcT
OF MUCH DIscussIoN-BorH SIDES OF THE
STORY. C
The alleged police outrage upon the Rev. Pierce
Mccarthy. in Newark. on Monday last. still
matter OF considerable talk among Newarkers yes
terday. The fuct that minister Of religion who
had always borne an excellent reputation had been
dragged through the streets as q common maefactor
was enough Of itself to create great excitement.
especially among Catholics. who universally con-
demned the action of the police. Two opposite and
very decided opinions freely expressed. One
side claimed that the high handed out
rage; that the police. having blundered at first in
mstaking the priests excitement for intoxication.
desired to maintain their ground and damage the
clergyman's reputation rather than admit they
in the wrong. great number OF respectable citi-
zens, however. uphold tho police. and say that
Father Mccarthy intoxicated and deserved all
he got" Among these gentlemen several eye
witnesses of tho occurrence. 1t is not. however.
thought that the matter will again come up judi
cially. The priest having been discharged from Gus
tody by Judge Ricord, the case is thereby ended.
unless additional charges should be preferred or
unless Father Mccarthy should take action against
the authorities for false imprisonment
THE BISHOP SAYS.
HERALD reporter called at Bishop Corrigan's
residence yesterday to see IL the ecclesiastical au
thorties would mako any official investigation. The
Bishop said he thought the newspapers had already
investigated the matter pretty thoroughly. He
could not say whether there would be any official
inquiry as ali he knew of the matter he had learned
from the papers. He had seen none of the parties
interested in the case and as all his knowledge came
at second hand he could not say what steps would
be taken in the matter.
Father Mccarthy found lying in bed at his
residence. No. 319 Harrison avenue. East Newark.
apparently suffering greatly from the treatment he
had received He admitted that he was very much
excited ut the time of the occurrence. There q
one of his legs received from q runaway ac-
cident some weeks before, which he said prevented
his walking perfectly straight and thus the police
might have inferred that he was drunk. He had
been confined to his bed for icw weeks with maa-
rial fever. aud hence was not III good condition to
undergo the excitement The Court had decided the
case in his favor being satisfied his appearance
and the testimony OF DR.. O'Gorman that he was not
intoxicated. Father Mccarthy was not prepared to
say whether he would take any steps for recovering
damages from the authorities for tho indignities he
had been subjected to-. On that point. he said. he
intended to take counsel with others.
Some of Father McCarthy's brother priests con-
denim him for assaulting the officers. but his con-
duct is entirely attributed to his mental and physi-
mind is shattered. On Sunday Bishop Corri-
gan visited Harrison and was with Father
acted strangely. He asked the Bishop. when did
you got homer" although the Bishop has not been
away. Rev. Father John Murphy. who with
Father Mccarthy. on Monday. also declares he was
not intoxicated. but was undoubtedly demented
having suffered from maarial fever.
WITH PROOF.
Chief Of Police Meldrum was very positive In his
assertions. He said he had Father Mccarthy
fectly satisfied that he was drunk. He was
willing at any time to back up his statements
wanted '.satisfaction" he ready to give 1t to
them Judge Ricord had gwen Officer Knapp 10 op-
portunity to sustain his charge An affidavit was
made, but the Judge would not allow him to send
for witnesses The prisoner was discharged con-
trary to his (Chief Meldruni's) Wishes He able
to show by afdavits that the priest was intoxicated
and that he early rs one o'clock five hours
before the arrest "Before the accident" said the
Chief. ''he was seen comine out Of liquor saloon.
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